THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF MARLBOROUGH.

[From the Nelson Examiner, April 14.] The success, good or ill, which has attended the splitting up some of the original provinces into which New Zealand was divided, and creating thereby new political divisions, is an important inquiry, but more particularly is it so when undertaken by those who are immediately interested in the result. Thus in Nelson, while we feel an interest in the welfare of Hawke's Bay and Southland, we have a more direct concern in the condition of Marlborough, which, notwithstanding its political severance from Nelson, is still bound to us by many social aud commercial ties. It is with deep regret, therefore, we learn that a province, in the progress of which we take a strong interest, is reduced to a state little short of bankruptcy, when it might have been among the most prosperous in Jsexv Zealand. It is a painful matter to learn the state to which Marlborough is reduced, as furnished by the Superintendent's address on opening the Council, by the statements of the Treasurer on going into committee on the Estimates, and by the Estimates as passed by the Council. After reducing the whole oi' the salaries, and cutting down expenses in the closest manuer, the estimated revenue will barely suffice, after satisfying interest of debts, to pay departmental charges, leaving the important items of public works and education totally unprovided for. Although the affairs of Marlborough since it became a province have not been administered as wisely as they might have been, the real mischief done was antecedent to separation. The cheap land system, introduced by Sir George Grey, was the origin of the evil, which, by tempting flockowners to acquire the freehold of their runs, sacrificed the future to the present welfare of the province. I lie disposal of the best land at from ss. to 10s. an acre, was like killing the goose for the sake of her golden egg. The province had the egg and enjoyed it, but now sadly misses the goose, that would have continued to furnish eggs of another kind had she been properly looked after. For some time both before aud after separation, the land sales in the districts which comprise the Province of Marlborough gave returns of from £20,000 to £30,000 a year, while now they may be said to have altogether ceased, and the province having no foreign trade, its Customs revenue is but trifling, and hence the unsatisfactory state of affairs. The present slate of things in Marlborough was foreseen aud pointed out when separation was sought, but the advice then given was disregarded. It must be confessed that the district of "Wairau received but scant justice from the Government of Nelson, and it was natural that the inhabitants should wish to avail themselves of the powers of the " New Provinces Act," and obtain the privilege of spending the whole proceeds of their laud sales on their own district. They did not concern themselves that nearly the whole charges of government would have to be defrayed out of the Land Revenue— a proceeding utterly opposed to the principle on which the Land Fund was conceded to the provinces — it having always been understood that its application should bo mainly directed to public works and immigration. But the persons interested in the "Wairau who were instrumental in obtaining separation for the district, were far less io blame than the Government which sanctioned the proceeding. It was clear from the first that the Government of Marlborough would have to rely on its Land Ecvenuc to defray the cost of its establishments, and a little reflection would have shown that the continuance of this could be but a question of time ; that just in proportion to the prosperity which a full Treasury would confer, would the collapse be hastened which would arise from an empty exchequer. By referring to the Estimates lately passed by the Marlborough Council, to be found iv another column, it "will be seen that the whole votes for the current year were only £7,8-1 L 12s. (id., of which £1,160 are for the management of what remains of the public estate ; £300 for alteration of roads ; £900 for interest of debts ; and £5,482 for expenses of Government. Tin's is a sorry look out for the people of Marlborough. To pay th. "it no funds exist to defray tho cost of repairs of roads and bridges, means heavy demands on the pockets of aoine of the inhabitants to keep up

the lines of communication. So that, in addition to the ordinary burdens of the colony, the settlors of Marlborough will be taxed most heavily, either in the way of subscriptions for road purposes, or in loss of time and increase of labour through the lines of traffic becoming impassable. Thisi s a state of things which cannot possibly go on ; and as there is no prospect of a change for the better, the fate of Marlborough as a province is sealed. The lamentable break-down of the Government of Marlborough, after spending the proceeds of its public estate to very little purpose, is not simply a local evil, but concerns Nelson also. There is, for instance, the recent discovery, by Mr. T. Mackay, of a practical country for a carriage-road between the two provinces ; but of what avail if Marlborough is without funds to execute her portion of what might be made a trunk-line of road, and open for settlement a considerable tract of valuable land ? The Eae-valley, through which the road would pass,is reported to contain a large quantity of valuable land which, were a road made, would by its sale reimburse the cost of the work. But the impecuniosily of the Government of Marlborough will prevent this useful work being undertaken; and even the present bridle-track which connects the two provinces, may become impassable during the ensuing winter through needing repair. One lesson we learn from this which should not be forgotten. If the country is to be cut np into small sectional Governments, some general body should be formed to deal with great lines of thoroughfare, for if trunk-lines of traffic are to be left in the handset' small local bodies, the interests of the whole country will suffer.