SOUTHLAND.

Press, Volume VIII, Issue 910, 7 October 1865, Page 3

SOUTHLAND.

THE STATE OF THE PROVINCE. The "Southland News" has the following : —"We have received from his Honor the Deputy Superintendent, with a request for its publication, a copy of a letter received by his Honor the Superintendent of Southland, from the Colonial Secretary, relative to the intentions of the General Government with respect to this province. The document being an important one, we are glad of the opportunity of giving it publicity. The tone of the communication, as will be seen, is somewhat unofficial, and in this respect evinces mOre earnestness and point than is usually to be found in State documents. We subjoin the letter, on which we will make a few comments— * Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Sept. 14,1865. Sir,—ln reply to your letter of this date, I have the honor to state that it is the earnest desire of the Colonial Government to forward measures for relieving the Province of Southland from its embarrassments. They will actively assist in obtaining the alteration in the Land Law of the province necessary for re-opening land sales. But relief from this source must necessarily be delayed by reference of the Act to the Imperial Government. They believe, however, that should the Provincial Loans Regulation and Consolidation Bill be accepted,by the Legislature, which they are sanguine that it will be, there will be no difficulty whatever in'dealing at once with the subject, and meeting the present liabilities of the province. They will do their best to expedite the consideration of the Bill, and trust that within a few weeks it will become law.—l have the honor to be, sir, your obedient Bervant, J. C Richmond. His Honor the Superintendent of Southland.' We have reason to be satisfied with the disposition of the General Government to help us, as shown in the above letter, which removes all fear of effectual opposition to the passing of the Land j Regulations recommended by our ProI vincial Council. The Bill referred to as " The Provincial Loans Regulations and ConsoHdation Bill," is one which provides for the raising of money by the provinces on specific securities, either of blocks of land specially alio-, cated for the purpose, or of public j works, such blocks or public works being mortgaged to the General Government, who in its turn guarantees the loan. The Bill provides for the appropriation of the revenues arising from the securities for the payments of interest, and the formation of a sinking fund, and stipulates generally the conditions on which loans can be raised by the Provinces. As, however, it will in all probability be considerably modified before receiving the assent of the Legislature, this reference to the nature of the Bill will be sufficient for the present purpose. With the security which Southland has to offer under the provisions of the Bill, she will least stand as good a chance in the money market as any of her neighhomw-