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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 5, Issue 256, 15 February 1862, Page 3

To the JEditor of the Hawke's Bay Herald. Sib, — It is a truth admitted by all parties, of whatever creed of politics they may boast, that men and things changeand that all changes produce corresponding effects on the minds of the public, for weal or woe, in proportion to the nature of the change, whether local or otherwise, as the case may be, particularly so when the change is from bad to worse. When changes of this nature take place, they are more likely to be observed in small communities, such as Napier, than in the city of London, for all eyes in small places are immediately turned to the cause that has produced the effects, and at once furnish the subject for long discussion, particularly when the interests ofthe majority are involved. When separation was first advocated every man thought the question affected his own private interest, more or less, and hearing the advocates of the same showing forth in such glowing terms the numerous advantages of self-govern-ment and benefits of spending the revenue in the province,—how this would be such a source of wealth as was never known before, and was considered quite sufficient to justify the great exertions of the advocates, and to 1 ensure the cordial co-operation of the people to obtain the climax of their ambition. But, alas for poor Napier ! How shortlived have been these great advantages ! The sun of prosperity seems to have set; darkness overspreads the horizon, and, gathering in darkness, threatens to burst in the Council in March, on the discussion of the grave question of estimates, which, from all present indications, seems to occupy the minds of the people, as well as His Honor's and his Council's. But what nonsense to talk of having the opinion of the people without printing the estimates, and thus giving a fair chance of forming an opinion. After carefully reading the same the many will see no ;doubt the motives of Messrs. Colenso and Tiffen's conduct in relation to the question of printing the same, and thank you for your notice. Mr. Editor, we will see in the uext session how public interests will be supported by these gentlemen, on the discussion of Mr. Ormond's motion on the sale and purchase of land. Surely a proper desire to save as much as possible, and thus increase the revenue of the Province by a judicious disposal of land will prevent them from pushing such large blocks into the market without due consideration as though the land would be a perpetual source of revenue. The idea of revenue from land seems quite fallacious, and a wonderful difference exists even between His Honor's opinion and that of the members for the town, namely, T. H. FitzGerald Esq. and ¥m. Colenso Esq., as to the amount for the present year — His Honor estimating the revenue at £85,000 while the others estimate it at £15,000. Should this latter amount prove correct, and no doubt it will be much' nearer the truth than £35,000, the next Superintendent will not be able to boast of a small balance in the chest, but will be compelled to obtain an advance from the Union bank to pay the debts of the Province. Should the present estimates of expenditure pass, as no doubt they will from the number of government hacks and toadies in the Council, how will the Province stand at tho end of the Superintendent's term, of officer In all probability it will be as difficult to find a new Superintendent as it was to find a

proposer and seconder for the representative of Waimarama. Surely none of the privileged ones who are admitted to the green room and see the mask put on and taken off again, would accept office under such circumstances, when the only prospect of revenue seems an increase of customs revenue which, can only be obtained by increase of population— to facilitate which His Honor has kindly told us that he is supported by his Executive Council to give assistance to those immigrants who are sent for by resident inhabitants who will be responsible for the amount of their passage money. How much better to place a sufficient sum on the estimates for the discovery of a paying;gold field ! Then population would increase fast enough and the same vessels bringing down the diggers would bring down the articles for consumption on which the duties would be paid in Napier, and thus at once would the customs revenue be increased and the Province flourish again ; and this might be effected by reducing the salaries of a few of the wasters. Without population it is a waste of time to talk of increased customs revenue. In her present depressed state, indeed, it is rather an advantage than otherwise for the duties to be paid in Wellington or Auckland, as goods are supplied at once and breathing time given for the refund of duty by three months bills. Any one who has lately paid any attention to business transactions in Napier must know that the supplies have been more than the demand. To be fully convinced of this see all the stores at present fully stocked. At the same rate of consumption one would think years will be required in order to sell off and clear out present stocks. His Honor has done very little to improve this mainstay of our little Province. Instead of his boast of a few thousands in the chest, which Wellington will make good use of, how much more creditable to have been able to boast of increased population and a prosperous state of the Province 1 But, strange to say. His Honor has informed the Council that one cause of his not being able to prosecute the works has been the heavy expenditure of Harbour Improvements, which we are told will in due time probably pay back part of the funds thus spent. The reason we are told why these works have not been carried on with such vigor as was necessary has been the want of punts. His Honor's own words would explain this best, — " this has partly arisen for want of sufficient punts of which there are only ten whilst fourteen might have been employed." Surely His Honor has not forgotten the action, brought by Messrs. Mcßoberts and others for breaches of contract ; only ten punts were guaranteed per day, and even in this the Government failed, and so strong was the evidence produced by Mr. Allen, that the judge decided against the Government, and awarded the men nearly the whole amount claimed. The second contract was little better, as the punts were not filled according to contract, and yet with these facts before us we are to believe the sole cause of such delay has been want of punts. But another most surprising part of His Honor's speech is that, while the dredge has been working to improve the Iron Pot, the place has been filling up daily ; and at last, to make the little less, it was deemed necessary to build a temporary jetty, and if the present state of the exchequer would allow we should have seen another great display by proposing the erection of another wharf, 500 feet in length, estimated at £5000, which we suppose would be like the other estimates for Harbour Improvements— only the beginning of good things. What portion of Harbour Improvements has been done for the sum originally estimated ? Better at once sell the curiosity shop, and send out a prospecting party with the money and try and develope the resources of the Province and improve her trade, which is wanted much more than Harbour Destructions at present. Surely some of the town members will turn their attention to the discovery of gold and get something on the estimates for the same ; it cannot be more difficult to get money placed on the estimates for the public good than it is to pass estimates for private purposes. You, Mr. Editor, being at the present one of the members will no doubt support the wish of the majority of your constituency. Wishing you success in your undertaking, I ana, &c, • NAPIER'S WELL-WISHER. Waipureku, February 12, 1862.