Page 17 Advertisements Column 4

New Zealand Mail, Issue 996, 3 April 1891, Page 17

tage in anticipated from this measure. The Act alao removes a restriction which bad ceased to be of any effect as a safeguard to the Government in enforcing the observance of the Agreement with the Company, while it hampered its operations considerably. The enormous expenditure, in so short a time, as cer;ified to by the Government Auditor, viz., £226,000, upn the “Irrigation Works and substantial improvements ’ at Mildura, being so much in excess of the Company’s obligation under the Agreement, at once established in the eyes of Parliament the vaatnoss of the work already dune, and the necessity fo legislation in the direction sought. Evidence on the various lines of railway proposed is now being taken np by the “Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways.” It is expected that that body will visit Mildura before the next session, when the olaiuas of the Town and District for Railway communication will bo placed before it. The available steamer accommodation this summer has but inadequately sufficed for the river traffic to the colonies. The Murray Navigation Company is, however, we are glad to find, making every effort to keep pace with the increasing requirements. The new steel steamer Pearl, taken over from our Company, ; and which will accommodate a large number of passengers, has just been completed, and will commeuce running next week. This boat is superior to any river vessel in Australia, and will be much appreciated by travellers. In the towns building operations have proceeded with muoh, vigor. New places of | busines and residences have sprung up iu all directions, and the municipal values have greatly increased. At Mildura an excellent system of sanitation has been adopted, and the efforts to preserve the health of the inhabitants are worthy of every commendation. It is gratifying that the Report of the Local Health Officer, submitted to the Department of Health on the 14tn ult., recorded the death rate at Mildura for 1890 at 4 4 per thousand only—perhap3 the lowest in the world. This testimony bears out the opinions of leading medical authorities with regard to the advantages of the Irrigation Colonies as a health resort. The building of the Chaffey College of Agriculture is being pushed on. The contract for the eroction of a local hospital at Mildura has been let, and tenders are being called for the erection of the Public Inati* tute, Public Library and Horticultural Museum. . The school accommodation at Mildura is quite inadequate to meet the wants of the rapidly increasing population, and the Government, in order to carry out the Education Act, mu6t ertet additional schools without delay. Two or three sites are at. the present time under consideration. The Horticultural Society aud the Fruit Growers’ Association are being well supported, aud both bodies have greatly assisted the objects of the settlers. The annual show of fruits and general products will bo held on the 10th March, when visitors will be afforded practical proof of the wonderful resources of the colonies. The plans of subdivision for Renmark Crown grants have now passod the Titles Office of South {Australia, and transfers of the lands of that colony will proceed without delay. Sir Samuel Davenport, K.G. M.G., and Walter Reynell, Esq. {managing director of Elder, Smith, and Co., Limited), were recently appointed local directors for South Australia. The directors can with every confidence congratulate the shareholders upon the accession of these gentlemen to the directorate. During the past half yoar the Colonies were visited by many gentlemen of iufluence. Among these were his Excellency the Earl of Kintore, the Hons J. Graham and C. Young, Minister and ex-Minister of Water Supply aud Agriculture for Victoria, Sir Samuel Davenport, K.C.M.G., and several Ministers of the Crown and members of Parliament from adjoining Colonies. Their opinions have been published in the daily press and otherwise, and are highly able as to the future success of the Colonies and the manner in which the work of colonisation is being carried out by the Company. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, stated that in order to remove a misapprehension which appeared to exist he desired to point out that the Company’s operations were confined exclusively to the colonies of Renmark in South Australia, and Mildura in Victoria. He thought it well to mention this, as he knew that there was confusion in the public mind upon the point, and that the Company had at times been placed at a disadvantage thereby. The balance sheet and statement of accounts showed that the company’s business was in a very satisfactory state. The net profit for the past half year amounted to £26,892 11a lid, or more than 12£ per cent, per annum upon the paid up capital of the company, which now stands at £458,436 7s 9d. The directors proposed, however, before paying any dividends, to still further strengthen the reserve fund, and to that end proposed to add the sum ef £25,000, increasing it to £90,000, or makiug it equivalent to one-fifth of the paid up capital. Ample provision had been made in the accounts for writing off the coat of tho irrigation woiks in respect of land sold, and £11,500 had been appropriated for that purpose. The progress report submitted indicated the great strides which the Colonies were making. Their population, now numbered by thousands, had within itself the elements of future success, and the directors, who at first stood alone, were now supported in their vast undertaking by thousands of earnest workers. The company’s land sales had been considerable, and the business of the company generally had been profitable. He congratulated the shareholders upon the acession to the directorate of Mr Walter Reynell and Sir Samuel Davenport as directors in South Australia, They would bring to the board a large and valuable experience, of a character which he was confident would greatly advance the com- ■ pany’s interest. Mr J. R. Buxton seconded the adoption of the report. The Chairman, In answer to questions, stated that the Directors had increased the