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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 138, 12 June 1896, Page 4

The Unprecedented falls of snow in portions of the higher lands in Nelson, Canterbury, and Ot'igo, by which large numbers of sheep w>r-> rust" ye.H was a heavy and unlooked for disaster to tho pastoralists and* runholders iu those districts, but the 10-s has, to some extent, been lightened by measures adopted by fariiameut last session to remit rentals and extend the term of leases. v

In March last a mining disaster unparalelled south of the Equator, occurred in tho Brnnner mino on the West Coast of the Middle Island by which the 67 miners employed therein' Jost their lives. An expression of Her Majesty's sympathy und that of the Secretary of State for tha colony was transmitted by telegraph, and by Her Majesty's command I caused it to be forwarded 'to the relatives of these unfortunate ; men. I also immediately conveyed my heartfelt sympathy. With the afflicted, throughout New Zealand and in the other co'onie.o, tbe deepest sympathy has been evinced, and has assumed practical shape. The heroio work done by tbe rescuers at the risk of their own lives ia deserving of aif praise,' and entitles them to the respect and esteeni of their fellow men throughout the Empire. I have thought it advisable to issue a local Commission to enquire as to the cause of the accident, its report will be placed before 'you in due course. The revival of goldmining has been most noteworthy during the past resulting in an increased' output of gold by £250,000 sterling over the output of the previous year. The great mineral wealth of the colony is attracting the attention of capitalists in many parts of the world* and with security of tenure and capital expended iu the legitimate prospecting ana development of our mines, there is every reason to believe that the goH mining industry of New Zealand will increa-'e in importance, besides offering relief to the labor market by drawing off a considerable number of men to remunerative employment. _ The goldfields in the Auohland provincial district receive at present most attention, whilst those on the west coast' of the Middle Isla- d are being brought into prominence, but there is every reason to believe that the gold deposits of Olago will shortly oommand the attention which their prospects and possibilities demand. The dispute in respeot to the cyanide patent has not yet been settled. - The settlement /6i the people on tbe land hfts progressed most satisfactorily during'the year, and the benefits .accruing under the Land for Settlements Act have been greatly appreciated. That land is sought for by the people of the colony most elgerly is proved; By the faot that for modt'of the sections' thrown open there have been a large number of applicants. In respect to the method of making application and dealing with the same, unforseen difficulties have occurred, and to prevent duplication and insure a proper class of settlers remedial provisions will require to be rfiade. i he beneficent effect of the Government Advances to Settlers Act has been clearly demonstrated, and ibe decrease in the rates of interest previously charged has proved to be a great boon to those engaged in agricultural and panoral (.uc.uitd. Every pr: caution h hb bceu m.dttto sei thai advances liuve not be n made exo-p'. upon rood securities, aud in accordance wilh laV: Tlie ex rtme o .ra inked in reap ct :o tbe uouritiiß firji uSetti ttrubt esi lirnitei tb( bumber oilianß, but i.is now ge:.eral y Conceded "that the t ffeot bat bten to compel oire in maft ng opjlioati m:, while the iD'srettbing ag^iexa'e if amounts udvanoid toge her with the Increasing Lumber ■.£ I pp icatio- s reoeived weekly, leadj tj •ha bil el that on th« whole t Advanoej tj Sttes JDe)arme.t wit i its new tmobine'ry, i»ill heuoefur h woik eatislao-

orily. :' The 858t=tnatio griding and cool storage ot our fUlr.v produoe uave proved satisfaotoij. UiiiLrmi y h-s been ath eved, and higher, p i'»s obtained, and with an inore Bjd nuoibsr of comettnt experts, the Darjar rneni of Agtlculiure u p: s duriog this yea to lur.ber improve the results of .he daiiy industry, and there h a general belief t at New Z'.iilacd but-er and cheeßc, w'l l , ero loDg command tbe big'.eit priues in tha matketß of tbe wor.d.

I eoe'ni y h conference of fruitgrowers was held io Wellington, and was attendei by esDitta from tbe other Colonies, aud from til' parts of New Zealand. Ihe result* were very enooiiraging and ebou d be r roducnive i ut lasting tenefit t< the Irnit indu try. Tbe opinion »bj generally expressed ihat -ew Z .'aland from the nature i f i s eoi >, climate and other natural advantages, was destined to bi a gr>.at fruit growing country. The Colony. wbb ong ft'uuittd lor beins the first in Aostnlasia to have ibe proootoiagd ol the Cojili-renaa fully reported,' an I recognit on wijs m do of the advantage to tbU and the o'her Ojor.iea ol publi bing iu tbe lecons'ot the Colony tne Viluable papers and dieou sions tbenon deJt wiih t.t tbe onference. Tbe 'improvement in the price of kauri gum has haJ a marked and favourable impression on that industry, and those engaged therein are fairly well satisfied with tbe results for ' the year. Well founded complaints have been made by tbe gnm diggers' of the absolute impossibility of their ascertaining accurately the price of the gum in tbe market. • ' .

It is.a matter for regret that the onco flourishing and remunerate flax industry has languished during the year consequent on the unprofitable prices ruling. With a view of fostering theindustry and meeting a long felt. want, a substantial bonus was offered for improved flax dressing machinery, bu't so far without satisfactory results. The matter is deserving of and will receive every attention, and with proper grading, improved machinery, and capital awaiting investment at low rates of interest, there is every prospect of the industry becoming once more payable and lasting. Tbe Medical Conference held in Dunedin was of a thoroughly representative character, and was attended by many able professional men fromjJAustralia and oil parjts of New Zealand. It gavo me very gteat pleasure to attend the opening of the j Conference. The results of their' labours wi'l assuredly prove beneficial to suffeiiog humanity. The procedings of the Conference were fully reported and the papers and discussions thereon will be read with great interest. The public [health branch was particularly interesting and instructive, and if the Buggesraonß made are given effect to greui benefit) will be derived therefrom. The proposal of the Imperial authorities to ham over the control of Norfolk Island to Neiir South Wales is of moment to this colony, as it is possible that the island 'in question may be a landing point irl connection with the Pacific Cable and on this and other grounds my advisers protested against the proposed change. .The Imperial authorities have decided to reconsider the question. The correspondence on the subject will be laid before you in due bourse,

The bensus . recently taken so far as results are known, goes to show that the population of the colony haß largely increased' durincr the past five years, more particularly in the North Island. This must be attributed principally to the rapid settlement, which is proceeding, to the development of miningand other industi ies. In the Middle Island there has been a fair increase on the whole, and in those parts, particularly on the West Coast, where there has been little or no increase, it is satisfactory to note that with the almost certain increased development of coal and goldmining, and the limber industries, population in these parts will .s rely incrcaße in tho near future.

When I last addressed you I mentioned tho fact thai the Midland Railway Company had failed to complete ii a contract, and that great injury' to the colony would result cMiiig to the consequent locking up of 5,000,000 aeics of land, and that the arbitration demanded by the Company had been' postponed by tho arbitrators. Tho arbitration on this important subject has since taken place, and the Company claimed over £1,800.000. Aftor an inquiry -lasting over several weeks, the umpire (the Bight Hon. Edward Blake, M.l\^ found that the Company had no claim against the Crown nor any right to recover any sum of money from the Crown in respect of the said olaims The umpire further found that the unrtnsouablo and inexousable delay by tho Company in the prosecution of the works connected with the railway, and also the wilful breach of the contraot as between the Company and the Queen, justified me in taking possession and assuming the general management of the railway, and that the power to do bo bad been rightly exercised. The good faith of the colony having boi>n impugned by theoompany and the hoAour and integrity of its public men being nt stake, the finding of the umpire ia emincully aatisfaotory. Gentlemen ok the House or Representatives — The estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current financial year will be laid before you, Tho estimates of expenditure have been prepared with due regard xo economy. The increased demand in connection with education, school buildings, technical schools, The Post and Telegraph service, roads, to open lauds for settlement, defence forces a<id defence works ; have been considered, and votes for these purposes will be placed before you.

honourable pen.tlemek ..qf .the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of KtP< .-. SKNTATIVES,. .. ... '. '„ , The prevention of "undesirable persons coming to New Zealand, especially the Ohineao, is of great importance as affecting the woll being and purity ot our race, and as unduly disturbing ouf trade and industries. In consequence of the Australian colonies having taken Btepa to protect themselves, and from other causes, an increasing number of Chinese and race aliens have at recent dates arrived in New Zealand, and my advisers therefore deem it necessary thai restrictive measures of a complete and comprehensive nature should at an early date bo enacted. A bill on the subject will be laid before you. As yon are «war», an Act was passed last sessiun enipowciin,; tlm colony to euter into a reciprocal treaty with South Australia. The Parliumeut of that colony however, (ipc>inerl ti> pass a similar mp.asuip. My Ministers deem it advisable that step slu.'uld be taken to facilitate the opening of fresh market* foronr prorluc's, and that further efforts should be made in the direction of recipioeity with the Australian colonies, the Empire, and its dependencies.. It is with much pleasure that I am able to announce that there are evidences which duriDg the latter portion of last financial vear, afforded proo fof substantial progress having been made, and the increased revenue through the customs on articles not affected by the tariff of last session goes far to prove that the earning power of the people has improved, and with the marked growth of our population and the advancement in prices of our staple products the outlook is most promising. Beturns will be laid before you showing that during the year there has been, notwithstanding the granting of large remissions, encpuraging our industries, generally a steady increase in revenne from nearly all branches of traffio upon the railways, thus "affording evidence of an advance in ; the productive capabilities of the colony. { The steps taken to open up a trade for our timber in the London Market have not met with that success which was anticipated. From late,. .information to hand; .however, there ia every prospect, with care* betog taken to send suitable timber, of a trude being established with the Cape of O.oud Hope and the Johannesburg ;eold fields in the Transvaal. The success which has attended conferences in respect, to _fruit growing, dairying and other industries; leadß my 'advisers to hope that a conference of persons connected with the sawmiliing and timber industries would be conduoive of much good, and at an early date such a conference will be convened. My ( adviterß have deemed it ixi-edie tin the nub io iuieresv to abolish lbs '■ delayed 8.8 e(u " (oc iclgramß, w.iob hai hitherto exist e'd, and in litu thereof liuv ■ reduced the charges lor the tiausmisBiun of j! dinar y telegrams. I) is oniio<pated qa tin iuaretse in number of telegrams traneinitttd.wiil mure than cover lie extra OOBt t/iit -llad, (hui oonftirriug a great b on on tub pubUo. without inc e& ing ths buriea oCiha taxpayers. la respiot to the Banking legislatioa of laa. bboßion, and the management of tbe fiaik'of New Z a'and, oiro nutancej hive transb.red wt,ioi in the opinion of ipy aivis rs rendtr it niecssaiy ih-.t »t0,.8 ahould be tslen to u-medy d rtiin defe tr, buj to enauie h« ihteie is of the' Colony being properly talOKUaro'ed. For the founh t me you will be asked 10 give relief 10 ratepayers by passing a bi 1 iin'.bor si; g looai auhoites.to .'evy rt.tes uponun mp:o»td land values. Thi* eys i m as ybu ore aw»r , obtains in rt-s.ect of ' direct taxation fur GovirnnieGt p rpose*. tillfl hive been prepared to prevint uturious in es of int rest bein,! oharged, and to enable l.oal bodies to apply the 00-op rsiive sya tin tu oonstruotion ol works under llia.r charge. A bill dealing wi h prcß|.eoting for go d, end the ceding of Jaad, by the natives for mining purpose., vfii: b- p ated before j(U. You will bt aekej to consider bills dialing with It- nd for sittlement, worfcm. n's villages; State Übot fatms, wa es protection, private Lenefi. soiiu.ies ilimitng toe h jure ot labor) old age pensions, the referendum, looal government, Government fiie iubUiance, sptoia' jurors, m&B:er and apprentices, fair rjn e, tiovernnunt valuation of laud, advances to sellers, and alcoholio liquors tale ooi trol. You will be a ked to cousider an impor.ai't ohaDge in tbe tlcctorsl r u ll, iliepecslng with ibe rt-gutrstii n of ettoiora on scoorint of property, and also Beouring the iepreßenttiiion ot majorities, aDd dtaliog with changes in tie ooundarkß i f the i lee tor at p. 1 dommird ihcee importsn m liters to your ca-iful cinH.er&tK.ii, and earuestly b;g to Sbfiure you.ihat it ia my desire and wish :to oojptrate witb you in promot ng the beßi intereß a if the Colony, and I dust tDftt wi b ths blessirg of U<d, yonr deliberations may rcßJlt in tue inoreased happineEß aud noßpaiity of tho people.