POLITICAL—PROVINCIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 935, 17 April 1868, Page 2

POLITICAL— PROVINCIAL.

The Provincial Council will be shortly summoned for the despatch of business. Important subjects will have to be debated ; the most prominent of which will probably be the finishing of the Northern Railway to "Winton. This long vexed question will, no doubt, be at length disposed of. It must be one of the questions of the session, and it is to be hoped that the Government are able to show that during the recess they have displayed as much energy in promoting this work as they have that of roadmaking. Since the termination of the last sitting of the Provincial Council an unmistakeabie activity has been conspicuous in issuing tenders for works authorised, and much good has been accomplished — more than could have reasonably been expected. The roa/lmaking operations in the Eastern and Northern districts have progressed steadily, and the "WorSris heing-done well. Ihe-money-ex^-pended is large, but well spent. But roadmaking is not all that is required from the Q-overnment ; nor has it occupied their whole attention. Other important matters have received equal consideration. Immigration is being pushed forward with energy, and in a few months an increase from this source to our population may be' anticipated. Other subjects of lesser moment have been satisfactorily settled. On the Eailway question, however, we are still uninform ed. This was the most difficult of all the matters left for the consideration of the Executive by the Council last session. It was acknowledged on all sides that the completion of the Northern line was most desirable ; but a general feeling of distaste for " land payments" for th works was manifested, though not openly expressed. The Government, we believe, were judicious enough to take the hint. They have carried out the instructions of the Council to have a survey of the line made, and that by men who could not by any possibility be charged with provincial favoritism. Messrs Paterson and Blaie were entrusted with the work, and have finished the field survey ; but the plans and specifications have not yet been received, to enable the Government to call for tenders. In this matter it is patent that no stone has been left unturned to carry out the views of the Council. The question of land or cash payments was a knotty and difficult one. That the payment to contractors in land would cause tenders to allow a large marginal discount for its result was freely conceded, but how to get the funds to make cash payments was the puzzle. We understand that the problem has been solved, and that the completion of the Northern line of railway will be paid for in cash, thus saving to the province a considerable amount, and preserving intact its landed estate. In taking a review of the doings of the G-overnment during the recess, we can only say that as far as appearances go they have done all that could have been done with the limited means at their disposal. "What else they may have accomplished, beneficial to the province or otherwise, will be elicited at the meeting of the Council. It is not the custom for the Provincial Government to make public its transactions with the General Government on subjects of grave importance, until something definite has been arranged. It would, therefore, be unfair on our part to censure the Executive for not publishing ; the result of the negotiations with the Colonial, Government until the official correspondence is placed in our posses-

sion. If the Provincial Government has succeeded in arranging for the completion of the Northern Railway for cash, the Province willbe deeply indebted to it, provided the terms are fair and equitable. From all we can. learn, the next session of the Council will be one of progressive import. It is to be hoped that our prognostications may be realized.