HAWKE'S BAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 827, 15 August 1864, Page 5

HAWKE'S BAY.

The Herald of the 7th inst, says:—We are able to -write favorably of the prospects of this province. Some time since a good deal of apprehension existed of a raid on the p^rfc of the rebel natives congregated in the. neighbourhood of Taupo—causing his Honor the Superintendent, whose great experience in native affairs is p. guarantee against his having been misled by unfounded rumour, to anply to the General Government for a larger military force to be statioued in Napier. Accordingly the head-quarters of the 14th were sent to this province—the additional compnnies being1 composed of men who had taken part in the successful charge at Koheroa, f>nd subsequently seen service in. the "Waikato. Other precautionary measures were taken, in the concentration of the De fence Force towards the northern portion of the Province, the calling out of the militia and volunteers for an additional course of training, and the enlistment of a company of military settlers. Fortunately, however, —not unlikely the result of the vigorous measures adopted—no danger has approached the Province, which, now promises to continue in a state of peace and security. ' His Honor Judge Johnston, upon the occasion of opening the circuit of the Supreme Court, in Napier, on the Ist instant, remarked in his charge to the Grand Jury, upon (he signs of progress he saw around him. We have not a full report of his Honor's address, but he spoke to the following effect : — " Sitting here for the seventh time, he was glad at seeing the realisation of many of the hopes he expressed upon the occasion of his first visit—happy at the absence and removal of evils which, then existed. He saw many signs of social progress —progress of the safest and most satisfactory character ; in these respects differing from the progress in one province, where it was attended by the evils of war, and in others, where it was attended by the allurements, excitement, and anxiety of the search for sudden M'LANDEESS, \

richnusa. He could it#sefe£geeing an increased respect for generar*-*^fiu prnciples —a decidedly improved tone in the condition ol society." Bis Honor also alluded to the increase of population ; and in this respect ttie province has some eauss for gratulation. The passengers by tho Hanpoon, upwards of a hundred in number, arc general yof a superior class; and coming as they do in most cases to relatives, or under engagement to employers, they may be regarded as useful and permanent settlers. Another ship, the Strathallan, was to follow in Julr for this port direct, with probably an equal number — most of whom will come out under the tystem of guaranteed passages. The Provincial Council has been in session since the 23th June-a period of nearly, sis weeks —and the work on hand is likely to oc'upy a week or two more. This session is, we believe, the longest since the formation of the Province, snu a large amount ot work has been done. Select committees have been sitting i^pon a great variety of subjects in connection with the condition and prosperity of the Province; one subject, in particular, has been gone earnestly into- that of a revision of the Wellington Acts in force prior to separation, and, indeed, still in force in this Province. Bills have since been brought in, with the view of carrying uit the recommendations of the committee. A considerable number of measures have engaged the attention ol the Council, not th'i least important of which is one to reappropriate the loan of LCO,OOO. agreed to in a former session. '< he alterations are of minor importance—the principal items remaining nearly the same. The appropriation now stands as lollows:—130,000 f r the purchase of land from the natives; LIO.OOO for immigration ; LIOOO for a Itehthouse for Napier pore; LSOOO fora bridge over the Kgaruroro; L7OOO for completing the main trunk line known us the Te &ute road ; and L7OPO for harbor purposes—the last item not to be expended until an opinion has been obtained from a competent authority in England. Among the bills passed, in addition to the ;Loan Appropriation Act, is a Highways Act, a Drainage Act, a Sheep and Scab Amendment Act. and a, Police Act; while several others are in different stages ot progress. With reference to the item of • 30,000, appropriated but of the loan for the purchase of native lands, it was stated in the Council by Mr Ormond, one of the members of the Executive, that Mr M'Lean, in his capacity of Native Land Purchase Commissioner, was sanguine of being able shortly to purchase s»me good land from the native owners. Should this hope be realised, the land will be set aside for agricultural purposes, so as to make the province more attractive as a field for immigration. We trust that Mr M'Leau will be successful in his eSorts in this direction; although in the present state of the native mind, it is almost too much to eypect.