PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 237, 30 May 1861, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The first session of the third Council of the Province of Wellington commenced on Monday, the 21st inst. The following members were present, Messrs Fitzherbert, Fox, Woodward, Brandon, Schuitze, J. Johnston. Walt, Dr. Allison,/ Smith, Taylor,' Turnbull, Spiiiks, Alieri,' Wallace, Fawcett, Buck/ McEwen, Whitewood, Crawford,'Borlase, bright, Rhodes, Stokes, and.. Hunter. Mr. Harrison, one of our members; did not take his seat in consequence of liis holding the office of Sheriff, which it appears debars him from sitting either in the Provincial Council or the House of Representatives. J. Johnston, Esq.; having taken the chair, Mr. Schuitze, on the mption of Mr. Rhodes, seconded by Mr. Watt, was unanimously elected Speaker. Mr. J. H. /Wallace was also unanimously elected Chairman of Committees. Two gentlemen were proposed for the office of Clerk* of Council— Mr. Beat and Mr. B. Smith, the former of whom : vv’as elected by a majority of 14 to 10. V, It being agreed that the Standing Orders r 6f last session should be r in force for one week, his Honor the 1 Superintendent was introduced, and delivered his opening address, the greater part, of this which he, found at the end qf this account of the proceedings. l: v The following is the principal business transacted by the Council during the last week, The Provincial Secretary stated. that* the reserve at Te Aro would be .made a public park, as soon as a Crown grant for it arrived. On the motion of Mr. Borlase, a committee was appointed to inquire whether there is a block' of agricultural land 'in the province, that might he sold in small allotments to’actual occupiers, on a system of deferred payments. On. the motion of Mr. Watt, a request was made to the Superintendent to offer £SO for the best design of a bridge for the Wanganui river,' having respect to the material already provided. On the motion of Mr. Stokes, the Superintendent was,, requested tp place on .the estimates the-.necessary' sum • for. fhe.issujng of the. Crown grants for. all lands sold. On the motion of Mr.'Watt, the Superintendent was requested to give £25 each, for forage for horses, to the two policemen to be appointed at Turakina and Rangitikei. Tlie Superintendent was also requested to put the following sums on the estimates:— An amount necessary for repairing the Karori road; £IOO prize for the best jshot among the volunteers in the province j £SO for repairing two bridges in Wellington.’ The Indemnity bill for past expenditure was passed. . ■ A committee appointed as to;the site of the Public rFliavf, recommended that it should commence at, the Custom-home jetty, ami . the Public. Whari bill was passed- / . A short reply was sent to his H«mor the Superintendent’s opening address, expressing approval ' of it. Mr. George Allen moved, that., while the Wellington/members were at the General Assembly they should inquire into the: working of the 40-acre free grant system. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer are to be united at a salary of £400; the Crown Land Commissioner is to receive £SOO ; the Speaker, £100; and the Chairman of Committees, £SO per annum. ; - SPEECH. - -

Mn. Speaker and Gentlemen oe the ProvinciA.L Council,—

I open this, the first Session of the third Provincial Council, with feelings of more than ordinary satisfaction, inasmuch as I am this disenabled to denude myself of the unconstitutional power which I have exercised for a period of more than three years: ' ' Phough I am. anxious, equally, I trnst,.with every member of this Council, not to renewpast discussions——still, I must submit .in .vindication of our Constitution, thatithe . resignation of my office, as .soon as it was -made r manifest that the principles held by-the. majority of the. fate Council were diametrically opposed to those, to carry out which I had just previously been for the.jsecoud time elected SupeMuttiulent,—

my application to • the* Jlqyernor, when after ray re-election J il S ol ¥ sm existed as strongly as the Council—and finally /the ~p%r■ ?-£ •i’epea,t.edly made, that if.. tiie'. would, in the event/iof a/’^ijprjty,.being/ag[ain returned adverse tp my. and unconditionally retire from .my|c|office,-T~ s uffi* ciently testify to the extreme., with which. I have wielded uncohstitiitfonal power, anato my having used every effort to bring the conflict to’a speedy term|l}at,|on. # /•■ I must further submit \that "tlie requisition calling upon me again .-to? PPJPB- whicli was presented .a few tion, jpy.' re .jelection: time g n pyerwlielming '.majority, ft /tli%j diiiess, pnd entiuisiasjnjwith ; wl)ich : myXsji°w*sprii ers availed themselves of every,ppporlppity,.whether offered by a vacancy Coun.oil, or iirthe General Asseinbly/ to' strengthen my hands—to endorse tmyl’policy, and to enepurage. me in ,Jthe f cpurs^)li:lwafi : putsurna,the petition sighed by a niajorifyi-of- thh ;l9leifj« tors in each-'electPral\distriet-.pi , ayingJiis: Excellency the Governor to apply the remedy provided:. by : the Uoiisilutron—these, ami other facts, afford abundant proof that the electors also exhausted all the constitutional means in their power to “bring-the; dead lock to a close. ////’/'• /'”// V /////’/*."/, //•;.,■ -/-Upon wllpM of this collision rest?

•’lt cannot be;surely attfihuted lo anyinhe' rent defect iii the Tor the very instant the remedy %l|cMed by it is applied, the deadlock. harmony are restored,/-public;' confulenca revives, and the, •whole papcliine/ of runs smoothly and in perfect order." : This fact is of itself sufficient to fix/the responsibility ; for it prov l es^hp^lhj,s.,Up!iappy conflict might at anytime (trning the last three years have been, tenmnatfd, had the Governor acceded to ’.the..ap j pHcatjo»s ma.de.-hy,jmy-self and the electors, ,and v g|'(ujt;eil ( a, dissolution,—had lie’- fulfilled'Thj? him by the Constitution Act." '

Unfortunately, in this, as instances, //is Excellency instead on his own responsibility, the, Cdiistrfiitional power which has been vested in him, for the express purpo:e, amongstvothei’Sjdf preventing and removing such collisions,;has allowed himself tp be guided by the .advice of il/inisters,. pot merely actuated by .party anil" political animosities, bpt who have .Manifested an , eager desire ta!f»>W'enl: r anil. dissensions in the .ij6pP\ ami "with the viewofbeing thereby .ehabied ’the more easily and completely to carry centralizing policy,.the main qbj'eci'td’ Which is to sap anil undermine; ! arid 'iiltimately hy throwing discredit upon.them. and hrihging' them into

contempt, . Institutions.. ./ " . /’ - Under ho Constitution that lias ever yet been framed, could Goveromeiitbeldogcav or even exist; if ..the saipe, cou ; rse v w"as '.pursued .that lias been followed.by liis Excellency, >in the present case. ' v J His Excellency the; Governor, by witiiolding the remedy prpylded by the Constitution, is alone responsible for the conflict, for all its consequences—and for all/literdamagp., it has inflicted upon this Province..;-,-—, I cannot dismiss this.' without congratulating through you, H myif jjellow Settlers, upon tlie noble and in, which they have vindicated our ppn^tution.—They have, by thus demon§frating;tli^if.ifis t .honiestly carried out no conflict neeiyong.§xist—ip.,, all probability prevented. ; attempting a repeti tiari o fjjlP l^ql^Pgrira e P t that has been priPctiseX 'npon / tliis’Province, /-•' It is satisfactory to he ajdp* to report the con-

tinuance of friendly .relatiaii3.bfiiw.een the Colonists and Natives of That such relations have beeij. l^ s P® st eventful year, is owing, in a great degree to: the ;which twenty years estabr dished, but still m>re .to which your Representatives took in flip ja,s.t Session of . the General Assembly, in.' virisisting on that, investigation into the title tip .the disputed land, which now,.after repeated refusals to grant it, and after virtual military d.etiepct, the Governor has himself proffered in tihe- terms of peace proposed by him; to the insurgents. The conduct of your Representativesxjn that occasion, removed from the minds of the Natives suspicions of the intentioiifjiof:: the Colonists towards them,..allayed the alarm and irritation which the unjust seizures the .TTaitara land had and was.-X' do.firmly believe the the means of averting f^mi J t^i§.Province, calamities greater .than that whicli has Well nigh blotted out its unfoiduiiate rieplibour from the map. of New Zealand. ; , _ .

To the General Govern merit;, of ATew Zea.land we have certainly way indebted for security.. : Zeft ahooisj' absbiutely without military protection, and, wuHmut the arms .necessary for.rself-defen.ee,-we. should have been in a position truly disastrous “had-’the insurrection spread to this proyjnc.e, as at the commencement there was ev:bryl. u probahility that it would. And at; that our position is little better. Two small military detach parts of the province, are all the ‘ protection we : have. While arms have been §ent to Otago, to Canterbury, and to our population, even on the very frontierpwmains unprovided with them; and not ft singlet.apned vessel .floats within 300 miles ojfj,Qur ]ss>oijr. , ;I , r It is the more ~ me to tirge upon the inlial>it^nts 'of This European and jVati ayoid; all causes of irritation, apd those fpPlishjpahicfs which sometimes alarm the public miitd, and to promote friendly feelings by every means power.

To the continuance-of such feelings we may look much more confidently for the Aversion of a calamity, which would be yqnally ruinous to both races, than; assistance inythli way of military aid likely to be rendered us by, that Government, whicly during the critical events of'the past year haS treated the'/interests of this province with supreme indifference and neglect. * tp -u '■'•. 'i : .* ’/ . Under ordinary circumstances, it would have been my duty to have laid before you a full statement .of the ; present position .and future prospects of, the province, .and. to have ,subi mitt'ed to your consideration all tlie measures! I deemed necessary to promote its progress ; Jpif tlnefineeting of .the General Assembly prpveuls tills! '

7’lie shortness of the present session.is : the less to be regretted, seeing that there”is every prospect,,that tlie relations between- -the General and Pro vinciaK Govern in ents-will, during the ensuing session' of .the.. General Assembly, he more accurately defined, and placed-uponi 3dtinig€&iite£ Tlie only measdles,'tlien,-which in addition *o the Estimates and the Appropriation Bill, I propose, bringing before'"you; are X bill bf Indemnity'ifdrit; past i'Expenditure,', and hills anthortsihg the sale of the declaimed land, the building of a Deep-water wharf, and the erection of a Tdll-gate'/at/.Kaf#arr4,' r and a,bill empowering me to' raise the amount required for the wharf by the is?ue of debentures charge/ abjeuipon the dues. ; With respect to tlie Indemnity—while no one deprecates more earnestly than i do/the expenditure l»y a Government of public monies without the sanction of , la.w, still it: .l imagine, be difficult for any one to point- out any other course, that I could, with, a due regard to public interests, in the peculiar position I was placed, have possibly pursued. It is true that I might have refused my warrant

for the issue of a single farthing from the pul) ; ; lie chest: but to say nothing of the utter,mini such a proceeding would have entailed upon .a-! large portion of the community, of the state of anarchy and confusion in which it Would have Involved the whole province, of the destruction of its credit for years to come, it must be evident to all, that instead qf solvihg our difficulties it could only have had the effect of increasing them, and of rendering our'dissensions more bitter, more irreconcileable. 'I frankly avow that I ' can conceive ,no possible

circumstance under which I would have been justified in having'recourse to such an extreme and'dangerous expedient, as long as the Governor refused to apply the all-sufficient remedy provided by the Constitution.'; In oriler that you may have the fullest possible information; to enable you: to decide whether any portion of the expenditure was either not for .tlie public service, or unwise and unnecessary; ;!■ have had statements pre-pared-showing the .whole of the expenditure in detail for the years 1858-59-60,. and distinguishing, tlie,. an,ti 1 pri sed ,from, tlie unauthorised. From this you 'will learn that 'of the

171,060/ expended during this period, 93,767/ was authorised, and 78,090/without the sanction of law. These statements, :tbgether

with the Public Accounts audited up to the 31st March, will at oiice be laid before you. After the Very decided expression of publi c opinion in favour of selling the reclaimed land, /Kcau have no hesitation in again asking your consent to a bill confirming the validity of the sales already made; and' authorising the Superintendent to sell the remaining portion, and such other portions as are either now in pro. cess of being, Or may -hereafter be reclaimed ■•With regard to the Z)eep Water Wharf, the onlydifference of opinion■ I apprehend that will arise will be in regard to ita site. Its cost i§ estimated at from; 10,000/to 15,000?, and tiie wlia’rf dues are expected to'amount'to about 2000£ a year, a sum amply sufficient to pay the interest and furnish a sinking fund for the extinction of the principal. >

In addition to these measures there is one proposal to your decision upon which the settlers are looking with great anxiety. The expence of constructing distiict roads is in most cases, even with the grant in aid, a bui* den to which the Settlers are wholly unequal, however ready they to tax themselves. Instead therefore . of Cxovernraent only contributing an equivalent, I propose, it should <dve double the amount raised for the construction of roads by the, Settlers of any district, whether raised by rates or voluntary subscriptions,'and that if sanctioned by jou, this regulation should- take effect fioin the commencement of the present year. ■ This proposal is not intended to apply to towms, noi in any to .the repairs of roads. .. The Bill .for establishing a 2’oll-gate ;docs not seem to call for any special reiharks.,; ißefore giving the details of the expenditure proposed for the current year, I Would wish briefly to revert to some of the woiks foi which votes are asked. It must be admitted that the Bridges hitherto erected—whether owing to their faulty construction, or to the impossibility of wooden, structures resisting the forces to which in this colony they are exposed,—there are few of the Bridges ~vye have erected which have stood more than three or four years. Their, rebuilding lias thus proved a sad drain upon our resources, and. yet. they-are in many cases, so absolutely essential, not only to traffic, but for thejirotection of life, that it . matters, not. how oftpr they are destroyed, means must be found for replacing them. The bridge over the IF<ingaehu is .a case ~in, point; it lias heeri twic,e destroyed, ami though the last tiihe by. a cause which ipay riever. again occur—one. half having been swept away by a huge avalanche 'of snow and ice—it is more than doubtful ’whether any bridge we can possibly erect over jit. will stand, many years; still, dangerous as

the river .is at all ; timers —in floods, from the force.'.:.aiid. rapidity of the current and the floating timber ; when it is fordable, scl>n£.' its boggy and quicksandy bed —unless we determine to stop the traffic between the shipping port of JFanganui .autl>.the,. important districts' bf Tnrakina and Rangitikei, the bridge must be rebuilt without any unuecessary delay. Another argupifent that may be urged'is, that until' the bridge over the Wan-gaehu-is("rebuilt, the timber prepared at /ian* «* gitikei fuf - the Wanganui bridge cannot possiblylfe conveyed to its destination, With ttgard to the. -latter, I am happy to inform you that the disputes between, the Con f rac(or arid', the Government have ; been amicably arranged; Tbe'Contractor -has been permitted to give up the Government takinb'ali the timber at its cost price, and reimbursing the amount;,.-already. , expeiidt-d for labour:;-but, amongst other difficulties to be overcome hcfojre this great work can be resumed, there is the ever-recurring one of moneys > Instead .c$ .tlije? bridge', will cSst r :at‘least TOOOIi if not 8000/. My pro-

posal is, that you should aid another 1000/, to the 5000/already voted, and:;-that the deficiency should be met by the sale of the reserve, on the left bank of the river, immediately opposite the town; the sulp, however, of this reserve, while strenuously urged by the settlers resident between the left bank of the Wanganui aud the Itaugit.ikei river, is strongly cLjected to. by a considerable number of tlie inhabitants of the towii of Wanganui;

but I am not without hope that in the event of your agreeing to make up whatever sum maybe required over and above the proceedsaccruing from the sale of the reserve, the opposition to it will be readily withdrawn. . In compliance with requests urged in variousmemorials, ; ahd- which ' are; iii. themselves so-* just; apd reasonable, that want of funds could alone justify,- our not acceding to them, it isproposed to build an additional bridge over the Tutaenui in,the ./?iingitikei; bridges over the two streams in ,’thO //orbkiwi valley; to replace one at Pahautanui, in. such-u state of' decay as to be ; unfit. for jlrays; also to erect bridges over the Silver . Stream in the Upper Hutt, the Pakuratahi. river, and lastly over the Taiieru and, Koumingi, two rivers between Masterton and Castle Point, a district which, while'it lias contributed largely to the territorial revenue, has as yet had little or nothing

expended on improving its ct mmunications. 7'he benefits conferred,- njt only upon this port but upon the whole province, .by the steamer Ifbnga tVoi ga,: have been so fully . eiognized by preceding C o n cils, that I: feel . rsuVcd I have merely forestalled your wishes n completing an arrangement with the -Steam Navigation Company, nnder which, upO:i my paying them a sum of 500/ in satisfaction of ajl claims for alleged arrears of subsidy to the Wonga Wbnga, they engaged to,purchase an additional hi at —.the-.Storin' Bird—-and have agreed, on yon.r granting a i animal subsidy-of 1000/cto run the tvo boats between tlr's and such other ports as they may deem advisable, i{ being, however, a condition, that one of the steamers shall always be in readiness to start for Wanganui immediately on the arrival of the English mail. - :

Taking the ordinary expence of the Government at i4,G00Z —the interest on loans, general and provincial, at 10.400 Z—the expenee of the . /S'nrvey and Engineer's de; artments, 3 7721. I lava, placed .on; the; estimates for the Wanganui, bridge, 500,0 Z (being an addit'on i f 1009 Z to. the previous vote) —for the Wangaehu 1000Z —for the Horoknvi & Fahautanui, 20OZ —for the Pakuratihi, 600 Z—-for the Ilutt a d Blv ;r Wtream bridges. 200/—for the 7‘aueiu, proposed Air roads,. • ate, Air repairs .of the ;Nprth eitstern ,apd,.-.Koi th? western,’,.2.GooZ — repairs, of JS T gah t auranga, 30f Z—of.- Gorges, Upper Hut%' 2(30Z —-for construction, of r a t between Feathers! on and Mast.erton,.ls.ooZ ; jVliistertqn to C * Point, SQOZ; Beach road, Wellihgton, 100 Z; Belmont..road, 200 Z ; Wai-nui-o-mata, 200 Z: widening Remutaka, 500 Z; bridle track to. Mungar a ; valley, 150 Z; Paliautaniii, 170 Z; Rangitikei to Wanganui; 600 Z; Rangitikei to Turakina, 300 Z; Cliff road, Wanganui, 150 Z; Road up, No. 3 line, Wanganui, 500 1; for grants iii aid, 3000 Z; for reclaiming land, lO.OOOZ; for Wharf, 15,000/;

for piling river bank, Wanganui. 300 Z; for additions to Lunatic Asylum, 4OOZ ; for Tollgate and i/'. use at Kaivvai ra, 350 Z; for Powder Magazine, Tmek-up, sundry other buildings, repairs, &c., 1000/; for steam subsidy, 1250 Z; Education, 60'JZ; for Ferrit s, Explorations, and other undertakings, 500 Z: /Eithout specifying smaller appropiLtious, I may state that" the" proposed expenditure on Public Works and Uiidertak.ngs. ta in. rou:ul numbei’s, o;x Bridges, 7800 Z; oh roads, 12.000/; on Bui’dings, Wharf, and reclaiming land, ,28jOOOZ; on Surveys, Steam,V&c., 5300Z —making a total expenditure, on Public /Porks and'Undertakings of 53.10 CZ, an. amount much greater than you can possibly expend during tlie cur ent year. • , .Still, though a considerable portion of this will under no circumstances be requhed this yeai’, it.must be remembere 1 that a very large , sum, which i’t.-is impossible to estimate,, is every ■ year requiredto meet the . casualties ami damages to the public works.. If to this expenditure be added the cost of the Government and interest on loans,, the,.total expenditure proposed is 77,926 Z. . 7’urning now to. the Ways- and Means of meeting this proposed expenditure, I am happy to Estate that liere we have, no difficulty. ; • Frpm. the Estimates of 7?evcnue andV Expenditure whjch'w.ill belaid.. before" "yo.ii tomorrow, you will find that on the Ist of 7’reasurer <was 3886 Z—in the. hands of theAgents in England 3925 Z—that the baJan.ce

due from the GenorarGovernment on account of Surplus Ordinary Revenue was 30002—tliat, ♦.lie Interest due from Hawke’s Bay up to the 31st December last, was estimated at 60002. Making the balances either in hand or due, amount to 13,8117. I estimate that, the proportion apportioned for the current year what we shall be entitled to claim from Hawkes Bay will be 40002—-the proceeds of the Sale of Land already reclaimed 1 at 80002; I further estimate 3-Bths of the gross Customs/Receipts at 13,5002 • Licenses'-Publi-cans and Auctioneers, 19002; Registration of Deeds at 4001; Pilotage 5002; Immigrants Promissory notes at 10002; /fates on Land and Contributions for Grants in Aid at 15002; Fees and Fines, Assessment on Sheep and other Incidental Receipts at 6102 —the Pasture Licenses and Rents at 5002; /hind Sales (after deducting the l-6th taken by the Genejal Government/ at 30,0002, Giving a total of Receipts of 75,7202. This amount in ‘the event for our recovering during the’ensuing Session of the General Assembly, the 1 -6th of the Revenue, for the hist three years, impounded by. the General Government, \yill be increased to 92,7202. Fou are aware that last Session your Representatives succeeded in carrying through the House oP Representatives by large majorities Rills repealing tlie clause in the Rand. Revenue Appropriation. Act, under which tlie. General Government was authorised to retain 1-Otli of the Territorial Revenue of the Provinces in this Island, and compelling a refund of the amount so impounded. These Bills, though twice passed l>y the House of Representatives, were injected by the Legislative Council. An understanding was, however, come to in the House, that if we succeeded in carrying similar mear sures next session, no opposition would be offered to them on the part of ministers in the Legislative Council. The members of Canterbury and Otago also pledged themselves to ■support, them : so that, looking’at the interestall the Provinces in. this island have in recovering the large sums thus withheld, I con•fjdently rely upon the bills receiving the sanction of both houses.

# ft was my intention to haye. introduced lulls for the management of various reserves, both here and a.t Wanganui; but these and many other measures must of necessity be remitted to the next session. *

AUCKLAND. Land. SALE.-s-There-was exposed to public competition the village site of situate within miles of //uckland, on the North R.oad, and containing 207 building sites. The Roads laid clown in the plan are each a chain in widths and none of the allotments contain less than a. chain frontage by an average depth of 190 feet. There were Q 4, allotments sold., fonamg the eastern portion of the property, at. prices ranging per foot as follows.,:—ls. sd, Is. 6d, Is. Bd, Is. 9d, Is. lOd, 2s, 2«., 6d, 2s. 9d, 3s. 6d, and 4s. 3d. The average, price per foot was 2s. 4d. The "Western portion of the village site was withdrawn, in .consequence of: the biddings not coining up to the mark. MARKETe.-rrrAt a. trade sale 22nd up, fine congous was sold at 94.95. sd. per chest, and 265. 6d. to 28s. 6d. per box ; Sydney soap 412 10s. to 422 per ton ; candles 8d per lb. Flour quoted at. 22/ per ton, wheat Bs, maize ss. per. bushel, boards.and scantling 11s. to 12s, boards tongued and grooved 18s. per 300 ft., shingles 10s. per 1000; dairy cows 122 10s. to 152, 15s, steers. 3/ 15s. to 52, good young horses 402, to 452,; of a. lighter class. 192, to 252, New City Hall. —The extensive premises erected in Fort street, for Mr. S. 11. /'/ ebb are now fast being completed. These spacious have, upon the first ffpor, a noble Halhof one hundred feet in length,, with a width of fifty feet;, and without pillar or,obstruction. ... The entrance Rail twenty feet in w!dth v will contain the grand staircase,, leading by a, gentle ascent to a spacious landing,.from which diverging stairways lead to either end of the gr,eat Hall. Acoustics have been duly attended to in the construction of this unique and magnificent hall, “ s.o that., we may look forward to increased enjojnnent when o,ur musical societies shall treat us.to one of, their, charming concerts.. Treasures of 4 the.. Deep.— -The last, whale taken by tlie Prince Edward produced oil which sold here in Auckland, and realized the sum of, £982. But even this has been exceeded by the Swiftsure. of New Bedford, which last season, in the same latitude, safely, secured a noble fish that yielded oil worth the enormous amount, of £2;780: Southern Cross. “ Auckland Rifle Association. The firing with the regulation /infield Rifle up to and including yesterday exhibited the following results: —Fenton, 18 points; Evitf, 17; tlnee 16.;. four 15 ;- three" 14. Tlie firing will be resumed this day (May 11) with the Enfields, and continued on Tuesday and Wednesday next with the breach-loading rifles and carbines. A Testimonial was presented ta Captain Cracroft on .the Bth—a sum of money, (.the amount of which is not mentioned) with which to buy a piece of plate on his return to England,, to have the following inscriptionon.it :-tt. “ Presented to Captain Peter Cracroft Her Majesty's. Ship “Niger,” by the inhabitants, of Auckland, New Zealand, as a;testimony of, the high esteem in which they, hold him, for Lis kind and considerate conduct to all classes,, for the deep sympathy, which Tie has shown,, and for the eminent anil uinreraitting services he has rendered to New Zealand during the present unhappy war.” In the loading article-of the New Zealander pf lltli May are the following remarks : \Ye are. entering for good or evil on a new

era in Native affairs, and it would he well that the friends of the race could calmly and steadiiy look the facts in the face. It appears to have been resolved by the Imperial Government, that the supremacy of the Queen and of the Law shall be asserted and maintained throughout the length and breath of this land. Force, as we see, will* not be wanting to effect these objects if necessary. There must be no more judicial investigations touching the life and property of European men, conducted by four hundred armed and half naked maories, and opened by a savage war-dance. There must be peace, jand there must be acknowledgment of the law.,

CANTERBURY

The Railway.— -The Contract issigned with Mr. //olmes, who binds himself ; to execute the, work within five years for 240,5002. Mr. Holmes gives security for <£20,000, besides leaving, ten per ©ent, oft.bevaluelof tlie work in the hands of Government till its 2 May. Mr. //olmes returns to Melbourne, at once, and in a month will bring down tlie requisite staff, with skilled labour and plant. Coal is again being raised, in some quantity at tlie Malvern /fills, on the banks of the Hawkins stream, very close to the.old w.orkjngs of Messrs. Knight and’ Wright. The operations, are carried on by some.two or three experienced miners,.formerly employed, in the tunnel shaftof the railway. The seam they are.now engaged upon averages good three feet, in thickness, A gallery has been run 4,0. tq, 50. yards into tlie hill side, and a transverse gallery has already been pushed to a. distance of about 30. yards. The quantity got out in the day averages four tons, nearly all in large blocks. Like some- of the Nelson coal, its ashes ape like those of wood, retaining the fire a long time, and are therefore suitable for baking with camp ovens, and for similar purposes. The distance from Christchurch to-the coal workings, may be some 30 miles.— Lyttelton, Times,. May A. Volunteer Rifle Match.—On May Ist the 5 companies contended for- tlie.prize of-25 guineas,, which was gained by the Kaiapoi company. 'The firing was at 100 and.2oQ yards, ten men. of each, c.ompapy fiyipg.ten shots, each.

Two others, scored, 15, one, 14,. one, 13, three 12, two 11, eleven 10. HAW.KE’S BAY, In the-Herald'of the 11th and 18th May we find tlie-following :-rr. One of the chief topics of comnipn conversation is the demandmade by native proprietors - throughout tlie province for what is called “grass money,” This: demand is made upon owners of cattle and horses that have been running upon native land, and is, for, past years, at. the rate, of. ss. per head per annum. Tlhsxlaim has been, in many instances, accompanied with a threat that, in case of refusal, the cattle will be seized in satisfaction of the grass they,have, consumed —grass, by the way, grown in most cases from tlie seed that has blown from the enclosures of those whom.the natives now.seek to. mulct.

From, the expression of opinion given by Capt, Carter at Ruketapu, we inferred that the government would support a.mea3ure for, the enlargement of the Council. We have since been informed that such a. bill is in.course of preparation-T-tlie intention being to increase the number of members by five, of whom two will be allotted ip the town ofNapier. In the Council Mr. Alexander made the following motion which was negatived by. 5 to 4. That the Superintendent be requested to place on the estimates the sum .of .£BO, for- the purpose of educating the natives in the, English language. Mr. Curling moved the following resolution* which was agreed' <*':,

■ That this Council is of opinion that the attention of/the General Government should be called to the unsatisfactory state of our relations with the native, populations of: this province.

That: His Honor the Superintendent and also the members of the Houses of Representatives be, requested to urge upou the. consideration of His Excellency and his Government the many, difficult and erobarassing questions that are arrising in this.Provinca such as the obstructions raised by the natives to the for. m.atioiv of roads—even main, thoroughfares through their lands, as . at present instanced by the refusal to allow of the erection of a necessary bridge over tlie Tutikuri River; tfie removal of the ferry at Waipureku, now in a most dangerous position ;,and numerous other cases, where the. iuterest of<the Province, require that these neccessary works, should he, carried out. Also their reiterated, refusals' to r.efer matters iu dispute between themselves and Europeans to tlie decision of courts, of law ; and the impossibility, under present' circumstances .of enforcing the decision, of such court?.. Tlie motion concludes by urging the. necessity f,a,larger military* force, at Napier,.

, OTAGO. ; ■ 1 Gold Diggings.— The diggings are situate on the Lindis "river, a small tributary of the Clutlia, rising in the Dunstan range of mountains, and flowing westerly* The land forms part of a run belonging to Mr. McLean, and the Country is described as being beautifully grassed in the flats and valleys. ' It is, however, very high, being about 1200 feet above the level of the sea. The mountains in the neighbourhood rise to 4000 or 5000 feet: Such being the case, it will be understood that in the latitude of Otago, the winter a.t such an elevation is severe, and we doubt, whether it will be possible to wash during the winter season.

We arejurtlier informed that the field has been widely prospected, and that it is calculated to cover some 40 square miles. A shepherd near the Jfa.naka lake*about 15 miles fronj; tfie Lindis, had found gold close to his hut, and the precious metal had been traced in a stream flowing westerly to the West coast. It is therefore conjectured, wifli every, ap-. pearance of probability, that the whole western range-is more or less auriferous. The accounts of the actual produce on.that part of the field which, has. been tried do not confirm the previous rather, extravagant reports. Men are said to be. making not more than a pound a. day, and-many, of course, less. Auiggets of considerable size are found, and some of three pr four pennyweights are commonly shown as specimens. They are of good quality, and free from apy deteriorating accompaniment. All are agreed; that the weather wilfinot permjj; washing during the winter. The following Code ofi Laws has been drawn up by order of the. Committee, and. agreed to at a meeting of the Diggers held on the 10th inst. v : Ist. Resolved,, that each man shall he allowed to hold, in his own light,. 2.0 square feet of ground, . : ■' 2nd. -In the event-,' of- 'any,, party or parties turning the river, each one of the said parties shall hold 40feet square.

3rd.. Two feet of a wall to be left between adjoining claims, to be worked out mutually, and.tjiat, no party shall be allowed tp dam up water, to the injury of his. neigh hour, 4th. Any one being absent from his claim for four, consecutive days, it shall be considered as forfeited.

sth- Any, one convicted of felony to be ignominiously expelled from, tlie diggings. 6th. No person or persons allowed to dis--}>ose of, spirit nous liquors on the diggings. 7tfi. In case of any dispute arising, for which there is no provision, hi the above laws, on application to'tlie secretary a special meeting shall be called to decide the same. By order of the Committee, * Robert- Lear,. Hon. Sec.

The Lindis is easy of access from Dunedin and Oamaru during fine Weather, —it is about 7.0 miles' in a direct line from both these ports. From Oamaru the road is some 150 miles long, but it is one over which drays can be takeu with perfect ease, excepting through the Lindis Pass, which is - occasionally snowed up in the winter. - The road from Dunedin is shorter;. it also passes over high country, and is not so well known, or so much used, as that from Oamaru, and it is doubtful whether or not a road for drays, can be. carried the whole way..

The gold field at the Lindis lias turned out a paying and workable one ; no further doubt exists upon this subject; there lias sufficient evidence reached Dunedin to fully satisfy every one of tfie, fact and numbers of people have started, and are making preparations to be off to the diggings immediately, and this notwithstanding the warning that the locality of the, diggings renders it extremely imprudent to go to them at the commencement of winter without making sufficient preparation for housing and provisions. —Otago Witness. Finances. —-The expenditure, for the six months ending 31st March amounts to above 80,0002, of which above 30,0002 have been spent on roads and public buildings, 43 222 on surveys, 12,0002 on immigration, 24972 on education, and 23752 on steam, and all this lias b. en effected witli only an over-draught, on the Oriental Bank of 30002. The revenue for the half year is 33,0002, 13,0002 of which is from the Crown Lands,, 56002 from the Customs, 60002" for General Government Surplus, and 50002 from immigrants. Riverton. —-The Rev. Mr. McGillivray was last week inducted to the ministerial charge of this town and district by the Rev. Messrs. Johnstone and Stuart.

STE/PART'S ISLAND. |

I would commence from Saddle Point, the < north-eastern extreme, southward. The first i place worthy of notice is a long sandy bay, : called by the natives Ilotago, in which there are two families of. half-castes, who have re- ] sided there upwards of’twenty years. There : is a small river at t the north end of the bay, ; forming a good .boat harbour, with a fine : valley of land at the back. In consequence of its richness and sheltered position, it abounds ; in heavy timber, with thick undergrowth. i ( The land, when cleared, yields-abuudantly. One mile south of Hot ago is another excellent bay, sheltered from all winds excepting the north-east. There here a fine Talley running back, with a boat entrance into a small estuary, into which a.creek, of excellent water empties; itself# coming down the valley, from Mount Angleip. //bout one mile further south is a waterfall over the sea cliff,.having its. source from a fresh water lagoon, situated on a fine, piece of table.- land, heavily.’ timbered—l f believe, possessing the finest, timber on tfie island. Two miles south-east of this is Fort William, so highly spoken of by, Commander; Stokes.

The harbour is formed by a small promontory on the north, which forms its principal shelter. There is a fine boat harbour at; the head of the bay, formed by a fresh water stream from a rich., valley at the back, but full of timber. There are three bays at Fort William, each having its own valley and fresh water stream.

two miles; south of Fort William is an excellent bay called Horse-shoe bay (from* its shape) in which a considerable quantity of land has been cleared by the natives : it is a remarkably good harbour. Haifa, mile south of B,orse-sboe bay is a fine harbour called Half-moon bay (by the natives Hootee bay). The land about this bay is very rich ; ; a portion of it, when in gul tivatien, produced large crops of potatoes for many years. , ‘ ;

Half a. mile south of this delightful bay is the noble harbour called Patterson’s inlet. 1 can describe it in no other way than as a firstclass harbour teeming- With harbours. It has an entrance of about three-quarters of a mile, with an average depth of eight fathoms. The harbour is composed of three main branches, the largest, ofc which, extends west, from the entrance, about ten miles, with an average width of two miles. lipthe centre are a large island called Cooper’s, island, and about thirty others of inferior size. At the head of this arm is a river navigable for small, vessels, at high water, tlirough an extensive- valley of mostly open land, extending across the island. With Mason’s, hay, on the west coast, I am not acquainted, hut informed, by good authority, that it offers excellent pasture for cuttle. Another arm, at the head of the west arm, extending, south-west-, about - three miles, and--known as the /South-west Arm, is about three-quarters of a mile in width; at the.hea,fi of it, is. an extensive fiat, with a fine ereek of fresh water running through it from the surrounding hills. The third arm, south of the entrance, and known as'tlie South 4rm, is aboufthree miles deep and.one and a half broad. Ii) a deep bay between the entrance of the South Arm and the old neck, is an excellent harbour, called by Commander Stokes Glory harbour, ami is formed by three islands. It is an excellent place for heaving down vessels requiring repairs. The whole of this noble sheet of water is free from rocks and shoals,, with an average depth of eight fathoms, offering shelter for vessels from the size of the Great Eastern down to the smallest boat on Waigoi, and with a coast line, inside the entrance, of not less than a hundred miles. Each [joint, as you pass up its three main branches, discovers its own little bay ■or inlet, in most instances dotted with small islands, looking beautifully picturesque. At the.east side of the entrance are several families of half castes, whose parents have been settled there about twenty five years, four miles up the west arm in a beautiful bay, called by the natives Kepeepe bay, Messrs. Galton and Bullock have erected their saw mills, w'hich will find constant employment for about seventymen, and from which may be expected a regular supply of good timber. Six miles south of Patterson’s inlet, is Port /Adventure, - a very excellent harbour, but not much frequented by strangers in consequence of tlie extensive and dangerous reefs lying off its entrance ; but these form no obstacle to persons acquainted with them. The land is all wooded. There are about 12 Maories, men and women, and the land which they have in cultivation produces excellent crops of potatoes and wheat. 7'he harbour has several small ones inside, and one, called- Oyster cove, abounds in oysters of excellent 1 quality. South of this I can only speak from niy knowledge, of the chart by Commander Stokes, and information gained from men who have Been many years located on the island. A few miles below Port Adventure is a small deep-water river, available only for small vessels, called Lord’s harbour, where I am informed there are a few hundred acres of open country, with very rich gra s. About ten miles from this is port Pegasus, even, if possible, a finer harbour than Patterson’s inlet l’o use Commander Stokes’ remarks, “it is one of the noblest harbours in the known world and I* am informed that, after passing through a narrow belt of timbered land, you come upon a plain of not less than 30,000 acres, and that there is still more open country south .-r-Southern News.

Holloway's Pills for the effectual cure of Dropsy.— The efftcacy of HoUpwaj’s Pills in dropsy is extraordinary. They act with such peculiar effect upon the system, that the fluids arising from this direful disease are imperceptibly carried off, and prevented from any further accumulation. The sufferer regains a buoyaace of spirits,, and rejoices in a completely renovated constitution. These admirable Pills have a similarly happy effect on many other diseases, particularly liver complaints and chronic indigestion. They act upon the constitution generally by purifying the blood, regulating the sec retions, and giving tone to the stomach and. kidneys. They are composed of rare balsams, without the admixture of a siugle grain of any noxious substances. They are as safe as they are 'efficacious. . 35

No. 1, 6'hristcburch, made 95 points. 2, do 99 76 „ 3, Lyttelton )>. 9.0, 4, do 99 90, „ 5, l&aiapol,m ■» 104 Tim best scores were,— Yt>s. a. c. Q. M. 1. 100 , 2 3 200 2 2 1^=18 2. 100 1 3 1 200 3 1 1—16 3, 100 1 2 1: 1 200 1: 2 2—. 15