WELLINGTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 2420, 1 May 1874, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

April 30. THE SUPERINTENDENT'S SPEECH. The Superintendent, in opening the Provincial Council, said that various reports of departments would be laid on the table. He spoke in flattering terms of the survey and engineering staff. . Comparison of estimated and actual revenue up to 31st March, stated as follows : — Ordinary income was estimated at £18,700, actually reached £24,966; 'territorial income estimated at £45,000, actual, £50,700." H j Len r.f erred to the £50,000 apportioned

tQ, this,.province out of J&00,000 voted by the Assembly for the purchase "of native territory, sayipg he endeavoured to cok operate with Mr McLean, attaching, as he did, so much, importance to the extinguishment of native titre ;f ov'er ; certain tracts of country," arid- hoped the protracted,negotiationsgoing on for the last three years for land on the left bank of the Manawatu ■were now drawing to a close. Final arrangements for a block of 6;2,000 acres in the " Seventy Mile Bupfa " will be made when the Block has passed through the Court this month. He regarded the completion of the Hutt railway as earnest of further extension. During the recess arrangements had been made with the General- Government for the reclamation of fifty- one acres from the harbor, the latter contributing one-fifth of "the cost, and receiving as an equivalent about eleven and a half acres for railway terminus, aud as a site for public offices. He further said the Colony had received from . the province during the recess £25,000 in payment of money advanced on mortgage on land proposed to be reclaimed. Took credit for policy of aiding revenue by system of direct taxation. Paid high compliment to Survey .officers to whose exertions an increase of territorial revenue is mainly due. Also for their patience in submitting to inconvenience and loss, inilicted upon them by the General Government, in depriving them of ; monies justly due to them for several weeks ; until intervention of the Supreme Court caused the Auditor to unlock the Treasury. Then followed an elaborate review of the financial administration of the province since his advent to office. Enquiry then suggested itself, how is it then the General Government had to dismiss the Auditor? It caused suspension of provincial payments ; disallowance of Appropriation Act, and they address lettersed to his Honor, containing grave reflections, which, however, it was satisfactory to be enabled, to believe were not offensive (?) He did not wish to depict the Provincial Government in character of martyrs or officers, subordinate to the General Government. His view of the case was that in assenting to Bridges and Roads Act last session, he had no reason, to suppose that the General Government intended to disallow the Bill, because he still considered the Bill was- not ultra vires ; and, secondly, because it was the obvious duty of the Government, had they such intention, to communicate it to him without allowing several weeks to elapse and permitting him to enter into' engagements which covered. more or less the whole scope of the Act. Having, moreover, urgent need to absent himself from the province ior some time, it was decided to prepare a warrant to cover the whole expenditure authorised by the Act. This was done with the full concurrence of the Executive. A precedent which occurred in his predecessor's regime was laid before the Auditor, and Audit Acts were carefully examined in his presence, so that the auditor certified, after, full consideration. What followed was now. a matter of history, but he considered Dorset's dismissal uncalled for and severe. * Considered plan of keeping accounts Nos 1 and 2\ had obvious advantages, the intention being to keep special Appropriation Act accounts and funds ; disclaimed any intention of carrying on the Government other than harmoniously with the General Government. Was happy to recognise the commencement of more favorable disposition on the part of the General Government to co-operate in the spirit he -desired and would reciprocate. He the ordinary income at £31,800, and territorial at £75,000, these items added to certain refunds and other receipts would make an estimated revenue of £122,624. Advance proposed on salary of Assistant Treasurer, increases also under the judicial and police. The following grants in aid introduced into the estimates. Education Board, £3000 ; local boards, £1200; Highway Boards, £5000. Two thousand was proposed for repairs in the Wellington Gaol, though probably a considerable sum would be required after ; total proposed for roads, £41,836 ; bridges, £9350 j proposed departmental expenditure amounts to £3855, and the expenditure for public works, £109,840. Large attendance of general public. The delivery of the speech was received quietly, and occupied over an hour. 7 p.m. The Superintendent to-day said in concluding his speech -that after careful consideration of the subject, the Provincial Government had concluded to confine their borrowing this year to the most moderate limits, such as which, if acceded to, would not place the total amount of its loans beyond the point which they reached when the Wellington Debts Act was passed. Contingent estimate would accordingly be sent down limited to the amount of the reduced loan proposed to be asked for, iiamely, £60,000. . ■ The Interim Appropriation Act was passed and the Council adjourned till 2.30 to-morrow. Selections of land made since the sale have increased the amount realised to £10,000. The •' Anne MelhuisV has been chartered hy the Government to receive the ' McCallum Mohr's ' railway iron until it can be shipped to the various ports for which it is intended. A ship is signalled as coming up the harbor, supposed to be the 'Golden Sea,' or * Wenuington ■ with immigrants.