POLITICAL—PROVINCIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 620, 18 January 1867, Page 5

POLITICAL— PROVINCIAL.

The political events of the month have until within the, last few days been but few. The eighth session of the Provincial Council commenced 'On Monday, 14th instant. In another part oftW paper will be fouud full 'reports of its proceedings, and notwithstanding^, that,: much business is to be disposed of, and many important questions to W debated, it is hot likely that a •ministerial crisis will take place. The present Government i have displayed a disposition id act frankly and forbearingly with the Council in all matters, and documentary evidence shows that during the recess a vast amount of important, work has been done far in excess of public expectation. The BluiF Harbor and Invercargill Railway is completed, and, although it is not yet open for passenger traffic luggage trains are running daily. It is most likely that as His Excellency the G-overnor will be here in a few days the opportunity wili be embraced to obtain his presence on the occasion of a public opening. The new year has commenced hopefully. The financial difficulties that last year clustered round the Q-ovemment have in a measure been removed ; a large quantity of land has been sold, and the debt to the General Government diminished by about £170,000. Agricultural progress has been most satisfactory. Gold-fields* although not as yet of great richness have been discovered, and are being worked; the commercial interest has assumed a sound position, and confidence in the future of the Province has become more and more marked. It is to be hoped that the year upon which we have now entered will be conspicuous as one of great progress. There are many circumstances that justify us in predicting that such will be the case. The coming harvest, it is expected, will be far more prolific than any that has yet < been obtained ; the Wool crop is heavy ; much new ground is being taken up for cultivation ; and new industries have sprung up. The past year has essentially been a year of consolidation. The prospects of the future of Southland have been carefully weighed, and the conclu- 1 sion arrived at appears to be that j patience, energy, and stable-mindedness ] on the part of the colonist must eventuate in great success. The fertility of the soil has now been fully proved. British j capital is employed in this Province to an extent far greater than in any other Province in New Zealand ; and it is not visionary to believe that as the resources of Southland become more extensively known her progress will be greater. The question of the reconstruction of the General G-overnment will occupy the attention of the local legislature, and the result of its deliberation a will be in our next Summary. This is the greatest question of importance, and is now being debated in a spirit of earnestness not hitherto displayed. It iis unnecessary to prolong these remarks, inasmuch as the elaborate reports that appear in other pages, political, material, and social, are unusually long and exP uc ft- ___________