WELLINGTON.

New Zealander, Volume 13, Issue 1132, 21 February 1857, Page 2 (Supplement)

WELLINGTON.

From the Spectator of January 7 we learn that Mr. Fox, Provincial Treasurer, has afforded rather a curious commentary on his late rose-coloured picture of the state of affairs in Wellington, by bringing in a bill in the Provincial Council “ to prevent persons from leaving the Province in a clandestine manner.” What! running away from this chosen seat of American republicanism I From the same source we also learn that the print which is under the control of those clever but long-winded gentlemen who were so angry with us because we did not and could not report their speeches in full at all times, sometimes gives no report at all; ami also that on the 3rd of January, “The Provincial Secretary moved, in his individual capacity, ‘ that for the purpose of securing accurate reports'of the debates in Council, a grant he given in aid of a reporting-staff, subject to certain conditions to be imposed by the Council.' This was seconded by Mr. Holdsworth, and opposed by Messrs. Carpenter, Ludlam, Milne, Allen, and Wakefield. Mr. Fitzherbert then withdrew his motion, with some rather bitter remarks on the motives which he presumed to actuate its opponents.”

By this time, then, it would seem that Mr. Fitzherbert has learnt that, still nearer home than Auckland, his rather tedious oratory is not always appreciated as he would wish. From the same paper we learn that the Government had sustained a serious defeat on Mr. Wakefield’s motion for going into committee to consider the expediency of amending the Pasturage Regulations. The Government strongly opposed the motion, which was nevertheless carried by 10 to 10. In the House of Representatives last session, Mr. Fox< and Mr. Fitzherbert used to contend that an adverse majority of one on-hi; to lead a (Sewell-Stafford) Ministry to ivsign. A majority of six against themselves, it seems, counts for nothing. We extract from the Wnnfianui Chronicle of January (5 and 15, the following summary of the I Hug' features of the Superintendent of Wellington’s opening address to tiie Provincial Council of t!u t Province. Tlu> Wellington papers contain little matter of interest. except the speech of ms Honor, the Superintendent, in opening the fourth session of the Provincial Council. Of 'his interesting document, it is impossible for us. on the eve of publication, to give more thru- a brie;’ outline ; but in next week’s “ t hrouiele” wc intend to publish sonic portion at length. \ per some strWng allusion to the success of the nvsiem of local self-government, and the cordial cou ...ration of the Legislature with the Executive of the Province, his Honor proceeds at once to money matters, It appears that the funds expended on public works and undertakings in I*s-1 was £ 10,000 t in 1855, *’1.5,000: in 1856, ,£‘-5,000; the revenue for the same period having been less than £'Bo,ooo. Th“ financial state of the Province op to the c ose of the September quarter, is indicated by figures, showing a surplus of assets over liabilities of more than _£7i)oO. Thus, after having spent £50,000 on public works, the Province will commence the ensuing year, with a balance to its credit, and total freedom from debt. His Honor then describes the progress of roads and buddings in various parts of the Province, all going on favourably, with one striking exception—the failure of the road through the 40 mile bush and the llua Tanawha Plains to Napier. This failure is represented as solely applicable to the neglect emanating almost to the refusal of the General Government to take measures to extinguish the native title on that line of road ; though offered funds for the purpose by the Superintendent, who has been indefatigable in pressing this matter on the attention of the Auckland Executive. During the last three years, the excess of immigration over emigration may he set down at tiiree thousand only, and within the next quarter a further addition of one thousand may be expected. With reference to the important subject of loans, it is mentioned that the Commercial Bank of London was ready to advance £50,000 with Debentures for the whole amount, actually engraved, and with authority to draw at once for £20,000, but on terms too vague for his Honor to accept tuem. Subsequently an arrangement was made with the Lnion Bank of Australia for £50,000, at 8 per cent., redeemable in 10 years, but in the meanwhile, the active Mr. James Smith had negocialed a loan with Messrs. Gladstone & Co. This had been accepted by the Superintendent, who, however, recommends that the agreement with the Union Bank should not be abandoned. In justification of the loan of £IOO,OOO, it is stated, that it is little more than the debt already imposed upon each of the Provinces in the Middle Island—that it only represents the value of 200,000 acres of rural land, or the upset price of two or three townships—that the surplus revenue of the last three years has averaged £17,000, (equal to) the interest of above £2oo,ooo—that the whole amount is to be devoted to works creative of revenue, and that every adult introduced adds from £2 to £3 a year to the customs receipts, besides increasing the territorial revenue to a greater degree. Under these circumstances. His Honor is of opinion that a much larger sum than £IOO,OOO might be safely borrowed, ifit could be expended within a reasonable time. This is very true, no doubt; but somewhat singular. The difficulty in former times and other countries, among nations as well as individuals, was to obtain money, the work of spending the same being performed with marvellous speed and facility. An account is eiven of the estimated expenditure on roads, bridges, &c.; amounting to £83,000. Among the items wc find £IO,OOO for public buildings, “ including tiie House of General Assembly.” Before any m in , is actually expended on this building, it would it: as well to ascertain that it will be needed. For t ,g the liangitikei—Wanganui road and erecting • j>it the 'Kurakina and Wangaehu £20,000 will ; -lured . and grants in aid of district roads are put v ’5.0)0; hut we see no contemplated prove ni (or the main road, from the Wanganui to Patea; though it is intended to open up all the trunk mad." within two years. As to carrying on these ... w gh vigour, the men on road parties should not ban 500 ; to secure the necessary supply of l g op n-. dto lay out £50,000 in immigration. . , idcd o survt y land on each line of road for S! , ~11 -etil-'uieiits. There is no part of the speech || we gtvi ' ii re satisfaction than this, but for tit apparent ncyleci of the main load from v,' ,1. ami; to Patea, fo. vihich, as we have said, no m is put (loan. I’l rhapH ihere would he no more Lia i ... . 0 f affording sa toy to travellers between : Wanganui, than lie formation of Euro- ... ... , ~H . I I t;;v 1.-' -nil S'.irqioses 5 •; j toi. t-’- way-tt■ rs, let - pur. ■ unnun... ■ o' 'he V, asm i.umls ” having ~ ;; ~ui. i, over to Iln J’rovlneiai Government. T.he • ... iiteam-tii has appointed .sir. t'ok to be Chief L-i’iul Uoa»mi« doner, witu the general direction of the Surveys, the Sale of Waste Lands in the Province ami the preparation of grants »o complete past and future ,vi,h f Witu these powers, v" misucci mat Mr. box ■l. i,.•;.[• -otl'icuci in the I’rov -ice, omy surpassed IP ; I .Tri'V. Mr. baric, ain "■ order th - general 1 ,i ■ . u-j-r ;itc •;? .Mi, i • win iotv- the practical . oi I) iv..., • ■ i ut. .-hie:' :urv( 'or ; 1 as-.seed by dii.triet suivi vot- u rceli 10-aliiy. Pay- j iir.‘';t' ,i ior him' uia-. oe mud'.' m the spot Ir> subtreasurers to be appointed at Alu.rin and W anganui Ihe estimated income lor tin ‘ usiiing year £41,000 .m.v share of the Customs (only ii.ree-';ip,hist ucl. are the wants of the (ieneia!. Government, and sm-h tr.e power of the General Goveiimicnt to fleece the Provinces) may be £T2,000; licenses £l,800; lees, liu s incidental receipts and pasture licenses £4,100; land sales £20,000 and promissory notes £4,000, Then for expenditure —cost of Government establishments fit2.ooo, and interest ami commission ou Loan £6,000. This leaves a balance of £23,000 applicable to public works and surveys. Ir is assumed that tha

surplus for the next two years will be ,£50,000; whi 1 1 with (lie loan, will give a sum of .£150,000 for public works ami immigration.