The Hawke's Bay Herald. NAPIER, APRIL 7, 1860.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 133, 7 April 1860, Page 4

The Hawke's Bay Herald. NAPIER, APRIL 7, 1860.

By the Dolphin from Auckland we have papers to the 28th ult. On the 27th a very destructive fire took place in Auckland. A block of new brick houses at the corner of Queen and Shortland streets, known as Frazer's buildings, were discovered to be on fire about 3 a.m., and before the flames could be got under, were nearly altogether destroyed. The cause had not been ascertained. The papers, as may be supposed, are filled with the Taranaki news, with comments upon the unfortunate mistake by which the occupants of the pah escaped, and with speculation as to the future. It appears that the Waikato chiefs have announced their neutrality, which is good news ; but it is believed that Ngatiruanxji, numbering 300 fighting men, will join William King. The Southern Cross says that the Iris and Pelorus are expected from Sydney, together with 500 more troops. The Dolphin, it will be perceived by reference to our advertising columns, has brought the writ for the election of a representative in the room of J. B. Ferguson, Esq.

We are occasionally asked for statistical information respecting the Province- — on behalf of persons in England and elsewhere, as well as by new arrivals ; and we have often regretted that want of time and means has prevented us from publishing: such a summary as would at once satisfy curiosity and prove of practical utility. The following document — a memorial to the House of Representatives for an increase of representation, — which has beencarefully prepared by a select committee of the Provincial Council, is, we think, calculated to answer both these ends, and, we gladly give it this prominent insertion. To ihe Honorable the Souse of Representatives of New Zealand, in Parliament assembled. The Memobiaii op the Pbovinoiax Council. op Hawke's Bay, Respectfully Sheweth,— That by an Act enacted by the General Assembly in the second session of the second Parliament of New Zealand (No. 55), the power of electing and sending one member to your Honorable House was granted to Hawke's Bay. That, at that time, the. district of Hawke's Bay. was part of the Province of Wellington. That, subsequently, Hawke's Bay was raised tothe dignity of a Province, and at the same time her territory very considerably enlarged. That,; since the commencement of thai auspi* cious era (for which this Provincial. Council—forthemselves and their respective constituencies — desire once more to thank your Honorable House) the Province of Hawke's Say has steadily and gradually increased, and is still daily growing,— • in population, in wealth, and in exports* and im.-

ports; and also in the reclaiming and improving -the waste lands, and in developing the natural *jft>urces of the province. That the area of this province has been estimated as containing (in round numbers) 3,000,000 of acres j of which quantity there are — Freehold, sold to individuals... 248,637 acres Licensed to occupiers as runs... 388,386 " Property of the province, not licensed, about 600,000 " of which about one-third is agricultural, and a large proportion finely timbered. In the hands of the aborigines, about 1,600,000 " That the European population of this province is not at this time accurately known, no Census having been made since Sfe Tcn > 1858 ; (measures, however, have been takenro obtain one during the approaching June quarter;) nevertheless it is confidently believed that the same will be found to be above 3000 ; while its Maori population (according to statistical information lately published by the General Government) numbers 3673. That, from the time of the separation of this province from that of Wellington to the end of the past year, a short period of only fourteen months, the Revenue of this province was as •follows : — £ s. d. Ordinary (including only 3-Bths ofCustoms 3,111 2 9 Territorial £8,350 0 0 Total 31,461 610 And that, for the Public Service, during the same period, the sum of £26,174 was voted, of which amount the following sums were actually expended on Roads and Bridges, and other Public Works, viz. — £ s. d. Roads and Bridges 14,655 16 4 Public Buildings and Works... 1,325 4- 0 Steam Navigation 583 6 8 Education (grants in aid) 336 19 1 Inland Mail Service 240 3 2 17,141 9 3 That, for the service of the present year, 1860, the Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay, in their session now brought to a close, have sanctioned an expenditure of £45,444 16s. 7d. That among the many items of the said sum total, are the following : — £ s. d. Roads and Bridges 19,170 0 0 Public Buildings and Public Works 2,801 14 9 Harbour Improvements 6,000 0 0 For Surveys 4,775 0 0 Education (grants in aid) 600 0 0 Steam Navigation 1,500 0 0 Total 34,846 14 9 To meet which large sum they have their estimated Revenue of £46,586. That during the past six months the Town of Napier has nearly doubled the number o£ its buildings ; while no less than two townships have been formed in this province by the Provincial Government, and two by private individuals ; the sections in which, already submitted for sale by auction, have all brought remarkably good prices. That this province, according to the assessed Returns of October 1859, contains 179,000 sheep (then) above six months old ; and of large cattle about 6000, and of horses about 1500. While its export of wool for the year 1859 was above 600,000 lbs. That the amount of immigration during the past year (1859), by sea alone to the port of Napier, was 967 ; and that of shipping inwards, to the same port, 12,669, and outwards, 12,253 tons. That the Imports, during the same period of 12 months, amount to about £45,000 ; and the Exports, during the same time, to about £60,000. Besides which there have been both Imports to and Exports from other parts of the extensive seaboard of the province, such as Wangawehi, Waikokopu, Te Wairoa, Rangaika, Waimarama, Tuingara, Black Head,~Porangahau, and Cape Turnagain, the amount of which is not known. That, as at present, most if not nearly all of the Imports of this province reach her through Auckland or Wellington, where the duties on such .(excepting a portion of those on spirits and tobacco) are invariably paid (as well as for the reason stated in the foregoing paragraph) her Customs Returns shew a very much lower sum total than there ought to be, and one by no means truthfully indicating the real amount of the duties paid on her large Imports. That the Province of Taranaki, with less area> less population, less great and small cattle, and very much less revenue, sends three members to your Honorable House ; and that several districts of provinces (each bearing scarcely any statistical .comparison with the Province of Hawke's Bay,) Bendß respectively two or one member to the same. That the Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay, in justice to themselves, to their constituencies, and to the whole province, desire to submit the before mentioned facts to the House of Representatives for their mature consideration. That, jn their so doing, they have every confidence that an increase of members to represent their province in your Honorable House will be readily and speedily granted to them. And your Memorialists, as in duty bound, will ever pray.