MR. T. KELLY BEFORE THE ELECTORS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4239, 21 October 1874, Page 3

MR. T. KELLY BEFORE THE ELECTORS.

The election of a member for' the Provincial Council of Taranaki, for the district of Grey and Bell, to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Major Atkinson, took place on the 13th instant. Mr. Standish proposed, and Mr. Glediiill seconded, Mr. Thomas Kelly, who—.there being no opposition—was declared duly elected. Mr. T. Kelly (the Herald reports) said he did not think it desirable to take up their time with a long speech ; but ho had made a few notes of subjects on which he should like to express an opinion. They were aware that provincialism in the North Island was to bo abolished, and a Bill to effect that would be introduced during next session. Before this was done, it would be absolutely necessary for them to give their whole attention to the matter ; and a great deal would require to be done if they wished to secure to the province that to which it was entitled. At present they were starting on a now career ; for it was the first time that such a quantity of valuable land had been handed over to them for settlement. The means at the disposal of the province were not great; but the General Assembly had advanced money towards opening up and settling that land ; and, with this assistance, it was hoped, within a limited time, to populate the country at the back of the mountain between that place and Patea. He was gratified to think that, as one of their representatives, he had assisted to secure a line of railway through that district, which would tend more than anything to benefit the country through which it passed. New land regulations had been made by the General Assembly, which were, in some respects, a novelty to this province. Under

those regulations, the Provincial Government could sell land on deferred payments ; and, by that system, the working man who had saved a little to commence with, could purchase land and have ten years in which to pay for it. hie thought this would be a great boon to the working man, and he had no doubt that many ■would take advantage of, the terms. Through the railway penetrating the bush, a large export trade in timber would, he believed, eventually be created. He next alluded to the construction of a harbor, and said that, through the influence of their members, one-quarter of the land revenue had been set aside. One of the most important questions which would engage the attention of the Council would be the best mode of acquiring means to build the harbor. His Honor, ho had no doubt, would shortly call the members together, when the Executive would submit a measure for creating a Board, and giving it power to borrow money on the reserves, &c. This done, he did not think it would be long before the work connected with the formation of the harbor would be commenced. He thanked the electors of the Grey and Bell District for returning him, and assured them that their interests would not be neglected.