PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Issue 1066, 2 December 1868, Page 5

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

MONDAY, 30th .NOVEMBER, 1868. The ofch Session of the 3rd Provincial Council of Southland commenced on Monday in the Council Chambers, Kel-vin-street. Present — The Speaker, Messrs. Blacklock (Provincial Treasurer), Armstrong, Daniels, Longuet, Hately, Pearson, Basstian, Dalrymple, Pratt, Swale, Soss, Johnstone, Clerke, Hodgkinson, M'Clure, and Howell. The Proclamation calling the Council was read by the Clerk, followed by prayers. His Honor the Superintendent was then announced, and we felt pleased to notice he appeared in better health and spirits than previous to his departure North. The address was then read by His Honor as follows : — 1 "Mb Speaxeb and Gentlemen of the I Provincial Council. .• "It gives me pleasure after being absent so long from the Province, to open this Session of the Provincial Council (specially called for business in connection with the railway works) in person. " During my stay in Wellington, besides attending to Legislative duties, I have, as far as in me lay, endeavored to put several matters relating to the Province on a proper footing, in which, I am glad to say, I have been generally successful ; and not the least important of these has been the obtaining of a promise from the Ministry that they would confirm a recommendation of a grant of land for finishing the Oreti Railway. " Tenders having again been iuvited for the completion of this line of Railway, they will, along with the report of Mr Paterson, C.E., be laid before you. 1 "The heavy gales which visited this : Island in October last, coupled with the simultaneous extraordinarily high tides, have, I regret to learn, seriously damaged embankment No. 1 of the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Eailway, immediately to the south of the town, so much so that the Government contemplates making a diversion of the line at this part inshore above high water mark ; as not only will a recurrence of such a mishap thus be ob - viated, but from reports to be laid on the table it will be seen that the formation of this diversion can be executed at a less cost than the repair of the embankment, and in a more effective and permanent manner. " I have now to declare this Council open for the transaction of bublic business. " JOHN P. TAYLOR, " Superintendent." Mr Abmstbong, on the retirement of His Honor,- moved, " That a Select Committee, consisting of Messrs. Basstian, Soss, Johnstone, and the mover, be appointed to draw up a reply to the ad- , dress." Seconded by Mr Blacklock, and carried unanimously. The Provincial Treasurer then obtained leave to read correspondence from Mr Morrison, Provincial Agent, as follows : — Office of the N.Z. Government Agency, 3 Adelaide Place, King William-st., London, 8.C., Aug. 1, 1868. i Deab Sib, — At the request of Mr Morrison, I wrote to Mr Eoss, of Prince Edward Island, asking for information relative to emigration from that colony to Southland, New Zealand. His reply I beg to enclose herewith. — I am, &c, (Sigued) W. G. M'Kellab. John Blacklock, Esq., Invercargill, Southland, N.Z.

Charlottetown, P.E.I. North America, 26th June, 1868. Dear Sir — I am in receipt of yours of the 11th ult., and, after making some enquiry, have to say in reply that I believe if sufficient encouragement were given in the shape of assisted passages, scores of sober, industrious young men and women could be got to emigrate from these Provinces to the sister colony of .New Zealand. The great obstacle at present is the high figure demanded as passage money from these Provinces. No passage can be got under £28 sterling, or £35 Novia Scotia currency, or £42 of this Island currency ; and, rather than pay so much, young men and women will go across the lines to the neighboring Bepublic, to try their fortune there. Every one I speak to on the subject asks what amount of assistance could be got ? My information does not enable me to answer this question — will you write and let me know ? I think it wouL" be advisible to circulate freely a large number of pamphlets on Southland, and in the other provinces as well. Small capitalists, who would not succeed ss well in Southland, where, according to the pamphlet sent me, £500 sterling would be needed to make a start, would like to emigrate to some of the other Provinces of that colony such as Otago and Auckland if they had reliable information in reference to them. I understand that a sober, industrious man, possessed of a practical knowledge of farming, may make a fair start m Auckland if he has £200 sterling. I believe if some in these Provinces knew what description of vessels were most in demand in New Zealand, they would build | for the New Zealand market and go with their families to settle there. These could take other emigrants there on more favourable terms than could be got from other vessels. Companies might be formed for the purpose of building or purchasing such vessels, and others might be invited to take shares in these companies, shares which might coy. j r every passage money. 1 understand a company of this sort has been formed last winter in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and that it is intended the vessel will start with the company in August or September, for Nelson and Auckland. This is a very favorable year for getting emigrants from here. Last winter was extraordinary long and cold, and provisions for man and beast were very high. Thousands of sheep and cattle have died for want of food in the spring. I think it would be a good plan to employ

an enthusiastic lecturer in these part for four or five months to bring the claim of New Zealand as a field for emigration before the people. I think one could be got for £5 or £& sterling per month or 3s for every emigrant above 10 years of age — to be paid by the emigrant. Only he would need to have all the information you could give laid to his hands, and a sub-agency would need to be at once appointed. In great haste, I am, yours faithfully, (Signed) William Ross.

Mr Absistbong then drew attention to the fact that the Executive was a member deficient, and, therefore, had to move an adjournment in order to enable the Government to find a gentlemen willing to act (if only temporarily). Two members of the House had been asked to take office, but had declined. j owing to not being able to spare the I time. It was most desirable town mem- | bers should strain a point to serve the ! Province, as those from the interior required their expenses. The House then adjourned till 11 a.m. next day.