THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1584, 21 May 1861, Page 2

THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

CHAPTER XI, Conclusion. As previously intimated, I conclude by printing as a final chapter, the Report of :•• the Committee, from which the reader will judge how far I have faithfully per-' formed the duty I undertook at the commencement of impartially digesting the evidence into a narrative form. At ail events they will admit that the conclu- _ sions [ have arrived ot are in accordance \ with those arrived at by the Committee, composed of men from every party in the ; youse of Representatives, after a most careful, patient, and impartial enquiry. T REPORT OF THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE The Select Committee appointed to " enquire as : " «• to the circumstances under which an attempt "was made, in the year 1857, to introduce in- : ' "stitutions of Civil government amongst the - " Natives of tha Waikato. district, the practical " effects ef the sam«, and the causes which led "to its dieoontinuanco ;" have considered the "| matters .to them referred, and have agreed to s the following : ; ;a5 REPORT. '■•'- : ; ';';"'. v; In consequence of the short time whioh remains-.','"."*;" before the termination of the wesentSesriopV ; , , V Your Committee are able to do little niorethah, >; V lay before the House the evidence taken by them „ .; ■ and some general conclusions at which they havo'"' 'j~ • ; ; unanimously arrived, . -J.V ?; The Evidence deserves serious attention, as ro- „<;,, '^ lating tq a subject of vital importance to the cblo^; . ? . j' ' ny, and embracihg.with few exceptions, the views: ',"., :'■'■; of peraous best qualified to form a judgment ujsu s r \ it. -. - ; ' . : "-> : " *-'?.s?..

together with (lie Public Accounts audited up to the 31st March, will at once be laid before you. Aftev the very decided expression of public opinion in fnvuiv of selling the reclaimed land, I can have no hesitation in again asking your consent to a Bill confirming tbc validity of the sales already made, and authorising the Superintendent to sell the remaining- portion, and •nch other portions as ar* either now in pioceas of being, or may hereafter be reclaimed. The extent to which this reclaiming is to be carried is a question to which I would invite your early attention. Believing- that in the p-esent state of our finances and with our future prospects there will be no necessity for forcing sales — ih.it the property thus created will ever yield a large profit — that the cost of reclamation will be diminished in proportion to the scale on which , it is conducted, arid especially looking, both to the means such a work affords of giving employment to those who .stand in need of it, and to the^henefits confetred upon (his town by such an expenditure, I cannot help recommending that tlie reclaiming should be continued in its present line to the Kumutoto stream. With regard to the Deep Water Wharf, the only difference of opinion I apprehend that will arise will be in regard to its site. By placing ft midway between Noah's Ark and Kumutoto you undoubtedly gain two advantages — you increase the facility with which vessels could both approach to it and get under weigh when leaving the port — and you confer an increased value on a much largrer pottion of the reclaimed land than would he the case were the wharf nearer to Noah's Ark — but then, on the other hand, you either cause a very considerable delay in erecting the wharf, or you make its cost much greater than it would be, if it was carried out from the land in process oi reclamation. Should you decide upon the latter site, there is no reason why, as soon as ever the plans ar.d specifications are picpared, tenders should not be called for, for though as Ihaveaheady itated, it is proposed to provide for its building by means of a loan, its cost in the first instance may be dofrayed out of the Provincial revenue without at all interfering with the provision required for other public works. Its cost is estimated at from £10,000 to and the wharf 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 in the Country are looking with great anxiety. Dismembered as this Province has been by the separation of Hawkes' Bay, it is no longer necessary that we should continue the Great North Eastern Trunk Line, as we originally intended through the 7(XMile Bush ; neither, as the North Western road has been rendered sufficiently available for all purpose* of present traffic, need we expendanyco»siderablesurnoniL Butontheotber band creepingas settlers gradually arein to almost every part of the Province, the cry for district joads is eyery day becoming more and moie urgent ; but unfortunately the expense of con., ctruction is in most cases, even with the grant in aid, a burden to which the Settlers are wholly unequal, however ready they may be to tax themselves, Instead therefore of Government only contributing an equivalent, I propose it should give double the amount raised for the construction of roads by the Sel tiers oi any district, whether raised by rates or voluntary subscriptions, and that if sanctioned by yon, this regulation, should take effect from the commencement of the present year. As the object of this proposal is to promote the construction of roads, in the districts where there is a sparse population, it is not intended to apply to towns —•nor in any case to the repairs of Roads ; but in these cases to limit the grant as hitherto to an equivalent — though it is to my miud questionable, whether when the roads are constructed, they should not be kept in repair solely by rales raised in the district. The Bill for establishing a Toll Gate does not seem to call for any special remarks. TaxjUfou, more especially wheu direct, is seldom a popular proposal, but having regard to the increasing demands upon the revenue, and to the fact that those whose property abuts on (he trunk lines, aad who are thus chiefly benefited, escape all direct taxation, it does appear only reasonable, that we should relieve the revenue from some portion oi this heavy outlay, afld throw it in some measure on all those who use the trunk roads. Before giving ibe details of the expenditure proposed for the current year, I would wish briefly, refer to some of tfie works for which rotes are a«ked. It must be admitted that the Bridges hitherto erected — whether owing to their faulty consliuction — or to the impossibility of wooden structures resisting the forces to which in this Colony they are exposed, there are few of the Bridges we have erected, which Lave stood more than three or four years. Their rebuilding has thus proved a sad drain upon our resources, and yet they are in many cases so absolutely essential not oply tp traffic, but for the protection oi life, that it matters not how often they are destroyed, means must be found for replacing them The Bridge over the Wanjjaehu is a case in point; it has been twice destroyed, and though the last litre by a cause which ma^ never again occur— one half having befp pwpt away by a huge avalanche of snow and ice, it is more than doubtful whether any Bridge we can ppssibly erect o»er it will stand many years; — still, du'i>gerou6 as the river is at all times; in floods, from the force and rapidity of the current and the masses of floating timber —when it is fordable, from its boggy'and quick sandy bed ;unless we determine to stop the traffic between the shipping port of Wanganui and the important' districts of Turaltiua am] Rangitiki, the Bridge must be rebuilt without Hny unnecessary delay. Another argument that may be urged is, that until the Bridge over the Wanpaehu is rebuilt, the timber prepaied atßarjpitiki for the Wanganui Bridge cannot possibly be conveyed loits destination. With regard to the latter, l'am happy to inform you' that the disputes between the Contractor aul tie Government, have been amicably arranged. The Contractor has been peimitted to give up his contract, the Government taking all the timber at its cost price, and reimbursing the amcunt already expended for labour— but amongst oilier difficulties to be overcome, before this great work can be retmtned — there is the ever recurring one of money. Instead of £5000, the bridge will cost at least JG7COO, if not £8000. My proposal is that you should add anothei £1000 to the £6000 already voted, and that the deficiency should he met by the sale of the reserve, on the left bank of the river, immediately opposite the town ; the sale however of this reaeive, while sirenuoualy urged by the settlers resident between the left bank of Ihe Wanganui and the Rangiliki river, is strongly objected to by a considerable number of the inhabitants of tbe town of Waugamii ; but I tm not without hope that in the event of your agreeing to make up whatever sum may be required over and above the proceeds accruing from the sale of the reserve, the opposition to it will be readily withdrawn.

In compliance with requests urged in various

i memorials, and which arc in themselves so just . and reasonable, lh.it \v:u)t of funds could alone justify our not acceeding lo them, it is proposed to build un additional bridge over the Ttit.ienui in the Rangitiki — Bridges over the two . streams in the Horokiwi Valley -to replace one at Pciliautumit, in Mich a state of decay, as to b-) unsafe for drays--also to civet bridges over the Silver Stream in the Upper Hutt— the Fa ktratahi river— and lastly over the Tauuru and Koiunhisji, two rivers between Ma^U'rton and (Jastlu Point, a district which, while it has contributed largely to the tcnilorial revenue, has as y<-t had little or nothing- expended on iuiprov* in«j its communications. The benerits conferred, not only upon this port but upon the whole pioviuce by the steamer Wonga Wonga, Xuxve been so fully recognized by preceding Councils, that 1 feel assured I have merely forstalk-d jour wishes in completing an arrangement with the Steam Navagatiou Company, under which, upon n y paying them a sum of £500 in satisfaction of nil' claims for alleged arrears of subsidy lo the Wonga Wenga, they engaged to purchase an additional boat — the Storm IJird, and have agreed on your granting an annual subsidy of £1000 .to run the two boats between this and such other ports as they may deem advisable — it 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. The understanding is that while the subsidy is to be paid irrespective of any profits the Company may make, no further claim, in the event of losses, it to be made on the Proviuce. There seems every probability that by affording the Company tins verj moderate subsidy you will enable them to increase the number of their vessels so as to maintain a constant communication between this and all the other Provinces. Taking the ordinary expense of the Government at £14,000— the interest on Loans, General and Provincial, at £10,400— the expense of the Survey and Engeneer's Departments, £3779. I have placed on the Estimates for the Wangauui bridge, £5000, (being an addition of £1000 to the previous vote)— for tbe Wangaebu, £1000, — for the Horokiwi and Pahautunui, £200 — fortbePnkuratihi,£6oo- for the Hutt and Silver Stream bridges, £200— for the Taueru,£3so— for the Koumiugi, £250. The sums proposed for roads, are for repairs of the North Eastern and North Western, £2600— repairs ofNgahuranga, £300— of Gorges, Upper Hutt, £200— for construction of road between Featherston and Masterton, £1500; Masterton to Castle Point, £500 ; Beach Iload, Wellington, £100 ; Bclraont Road, £200 ; YVai-uui-o-mata, £200 ; widening llemutaka, £500; bridle track to Mungaroa valley, £150; Pahautanui, £170; BangJtikei to Wanganui, £600 ; Rangitikei to Turakina, £300, Cliff Iload, Wanganui, £150; Road up No. 3 line, Wanganui, £500 ; for gianis in ajd, £3000; for reclaiming land, £10,000 ; for Wharf, £15,000 ; for piling River Bank, Wqnganui, £300 ; for additions to Lunatic Asylum, £400 ; for TolJgale & House at Kai\varra£3so; for Powder Magazine, Lock-up, sundry other Buildings, repairs, &c, £1000; For Steam Subsidy £1250,— Education £600, for Ferries, Explorations and other undertakings £500. Without specifying smaller appropriations I may state that the proposed expenditure on Public Works is in round numbers, on Bridges £7800— on Roads £12000— on Buildings, Wharf and reclaiming Land £28000— ou Surveys, Steam, &c, £5300— making a total expenditure ou Public Works and Undertakings of £53,100, an amount much greater than you can possibly expend, during the current year. Still though a considerable portion of this will under no circumstances be required this year, it must be remembered that a very large sum which it is impossible to estimate, is every year required to meet the casualities and 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 £77,920. Turning now to the " Ways and Means" of meeting this proposed expenditure, I am happy to state that here we have no difficulty, & when you bear in irind that we have, in commou with the rest of the Colony, just emerged from a period of great stagnation and depressionthat one third of our Land Revenue has been for the last two years retained by tbe General Government— that valuable blocks of land long since purchased from the Natives are still with, held from us— that a considerable balance is still due to us, you will readily understand how gratifying it is to me to be able 10 lay before you a more aatisfactoiy statement of your Financial position, than I have done on ' any previous occasion. From the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure which will be laid before you to-morrow, you will find that tn tbe Ist of January (1861) tbe Balance in the hands of the Treasurer was £3886— in the hands of the Agent in England ( £3925— that the balance due from the General ' Government on account of Surplus Ordinary Revenue was £3000— that the Interest due from Hawkes Bay up to the 31st December last, « was estimated at £0000. Making the balances either in hand or due, amount to £13,811. I ; estimate that the proportion appoitioned for the ' current year what we shall be entitled lo claim from Hawkes Bay will be £400U— the proceeds of the Sale of the Land already reclaimed at ( £8000; I further estimate 3-Bths of the gross Customs Receipts at £13,500; Licenses Publicans and Auctioneers, £1900; Registration ' of Deeds at £400; Pilotage £500; Itnrni- ' grants Promissory Notes at £1000; Rates on ' Land and Contributions for Grants in Aid at i £1500; Fees and Fines, Assessment on Sheep and other Incidental Receipts at £610— tUe ; I Pasture Licences and Rents at £500; Land ' Sales (after deducting the:l-6ih taken by tbe General Government) at £30,000. Giving a ' total of Receipts, of £75,720. This amount, ' in the event of our recovering during the en- ! suing Session of tbe .General Assembly, the ( l-6th of the Territorial Revenue for the last three years, impounded by the General Government, will be increased to £92,720. You ar» aware that last Session your Representatives succeeded in carrying through tbe House of Representatives by large majorities Bills re pealing the clause in the Land Revenue Ap- • prcpriation Act, under which tbe General Government was authorised to retain l-6ib of the Territorial Revenue of the Provinces in this Island, and compelling a refund of the amount so impounded. These Bills, though twice passed by the House of Representatives, were rejected by the Legislative Council. An understanding was. however, come to in the » House, that if we succeeded in carrying similar measures next •session, no opposition would be offered to them on the part of ministers in the Legislative-Council. The members of Canterburyjand Otago also pledged themselves to support them ; so that, looking at the interest all the Provinces in this Island have in recovering the large sums thus withheld, 1 confidently rely upon the Bills receiving the sane lion of both Houses. In this Estimate, I have not included the value of the land now being reclaimed, and which it is calculated will realise when sold

t especially if the wharf be carried out from it : between £13,000 and £15,000. ! Le-t it siimihl be i ;i:.oi:icd that I' had overlook them, I would state that there are several • other matters which it would have been my ■ duty to have brought before you, had there 1 been any chance of the present session lasting ' beyond a few days. Amongst others I should have asked you to re-appoint the Committee appointed in 1858, to receive the claims to compensation of those patties who, owing to various causes, had been prevented preferring them within the prescribed time. I should also have tig;. in referred to you the case of. the " Ann Wilson." It was likewise my intention to have introduced Bills for the management of various reserves, both here and at Wanganui ; but these and many other measures must of necessity be remitted to the next Session. It only remains for me, while congratulating 1 you on the present position and future prospects of the province, to express an earnest hope that uot only our past differences may be buried in oblirion, but that we may all be enabled heartily and cordially to co-operate in endeavouring to efface all traces of the past dissensions, and in promoting by menus of the ample funds at our disposal the welfare and prosperity of all classes of the community ; and finally, to assure you, that however unwilling I might have felt, while the Province was involved in difficulties, to desert the post which in spite of all the anxieties and responsibilities ithas entailed, I have so long held, still, now that the Province lias, I trust keen safely piloted through the storm., I shall, in the event of any material difference ever occurring between you and the Executive, at any time, be prepared to relieve you fruin the difficulty, so far as my retirement, once *ud for ever from my present office, possibly can. I. E. FEATHERSTON, superintendbnt. Opening Address. The speech, which occupied forty minutes in its delivery was listened to with marked attention throughout' and was most favorably received—in fact at one time the audience in the strangers gallery were so carried away by their feelings that forgetting all parliamentary etiquette they proceeded to applaud— at its conclusbn His Honor withdrew. Notices of Motion. On the motion of Mr. Fitzhebbert, seconded by Mr. Woodward the address was ordered to printed. Mr. Fitzherbfrt moved " That the Speaker fee authorised to employ such messengers and clerks of Committees as may be necessary for the expedition of public and also to order such printing as may be necessary. Mr. Fox seconded the motion. Carried. The Province Treasurer to move on the next sitting day for leave to bring in a Bill to indemnify the Superintendent and his Executive for the expenditure of Public Money during the ;year 1858, 1859,:,j and 1860, and also for a certain sum expended iv excess of the Appropriation Act of 1857. Mr. Fitzherbert tomoveon an early day— areply to the speech of His Honor the Superin, tendent. Mr. Brandon on next sitting day to more— that leave be given to bring in a Bill to explain and amend the Act, Session 111, No. 14: the Harbour Reserves Act. Mr. Fitzherbert to move on (he next sitting day for leave to bring in a Bill authorizing the Superintendent to cause a wharf to be erected in the Harbour of Port Nicholson. Mr. Fitzherbert to move* on the next sitting day for leave to bring in a Bill "to empower the Superintendent to erect a Toll Gate at Kai Warm Warra. Mr. Carter to move on the next sitting day ' for a return of all monies expended on Public Works in the Wairarapa from Sept Ist, 1859 to May 21sl, 1861 ; also the amount of money and Scrip received for land in the Wairarapa District from Sept. 1, 1859, to May 21 1861 The Provincial Treasurer, 'to move 'on thelnext sitting day " For the appointment of a belect Committee to revise the Standing Orderssuch Committee to consist of the Hon the Speaker, Messrs. Hunter, Fox, Borlase, and the Mover. Mr. J. H. Walt-ace to ask the Provincial Secretary on the next sitting day "Whether the 1 own Belt is invested in the Superintendent; also the other public reserves in the City cf Wellington, so as to enable him to sanction any Bill, that this Council may pass, that would provide /or the erection of a Public Market I lace, and also the making a Public Resmeat Te Aro, known as the Canal and Basic Reserve.