HAWKES' BAY.

Press, Volume X, Issue 1144, 9 July 1866, Page 3

HAWKES' BAY.

THE STATE OF THE PEOVIKCE. The following remarks are from a speech delivered by his Honor the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay, on the opening of the Provincial Council :— The progress of the province is not of that fluctuating nature which has its periods of prosperity and depression, neither has it been promoted by the discovery of goldfields or other extraneous causes, but is chiefly owing to tiie energy displayed by the inhabitants in developing the resources of a rich and productive district. In order to place this more clearly before you, I shall refer to the statistical returns of the last three years, which show that, while the exports for the year 1863 were £86,592 14s, those of a corresponding period in 1865 amounted to £121,281 ss, exclusive of shipments of wool from the coast of the value of £20,000. The imports for year ending December, 1863, amounted to £56,576 and for 1865 to £87,616. The ordinary revenue during the same time has more than doubled itself. The territorial revenue for the year will be in excess of the amount estimated. A very considerable share of this has been realised from the sale of a portion of the country acquired for settlement at the "Wairoa. Besides the "Wairoa, of which a small portion only has \ been sold, there is still in possession of the Government at the northern end of the province valuable tracts of available country, the survey of which is in a forward Btate. There are ! several blocks of native land under i offer, which are being purchased for jthe Government by Mr Locke, a gentleman whose experience and knowledge of native matters fully | qualify him for this duty. The war on i the East Coast, which at first assumed such a serious aspect, has, in less than a year, been brought to a successful termination; this result is, in a great measure, due to the distinguished bravery and skill of the officers and men comprising the Colonial Forces, as well as to the loyalty and devotion so unmistakably displayed by the friendly Natives. The ending of the East Coast campaign after various brilliant achievements opens up much brighter prospects for tho future of this province, by creating that feeling of security which induces the introduction of fresh capital and labor, and furthers the formation and progress of j English settlement. MEETING OP NATIVES. i The " Hawke's Bay Herald," of the ; 30th ult., says: —" Qn Tuesday last a large party of Natives from Pa Whakairoa, Pakowhai, and elsewhere, assembled in front of the militia office. I They numbered from two to three ' hundred men, all of whom were armed.

After dancing the war dance, the principal chiefs came forward and declared their loyalty to the Queen, and said they were prepared, at any time they were called upon, to fight against any tribe, either from Waikato or elsewhere, that might threaten to disturb the peace of the district. Mr M'Lean spoke in reply. Afterwards, the Natives went through, in a very creditable manner, the manual and platoon exercise—the words of command given in English. A feed followed, after which the party returned to their respective homes. We believe those competent to form an opinion attach considerable importance to this demonstration.