OPENING ADDRESS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF OTAGO.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3212, 30 May 1871, Page 3

OPENING ADDRESS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF OTAGO.

The following telegraphic summary of tlie address of the Superintendent of Otago, on the opening of the Provincial Council appeared iu the "Lyttelton Times" of the 20th inst. It should have appeared in our issue of yesterday, but was accidentally omitted : — The Superintendent in bis speech says the history of colonisation affords no instance of greater progress attained in any province since 1853, which would have been greater if Otago bad been distinct from the colony, and left to her own resources. He congratulates the province on the commencement of the Clutha line ; the survey of a line from the northern boundary of the provinee to Moeraki bad been ordered, and application had been made for the survey of of a line to Tuapeka. He recommends endeavoring to secure the immediate carrying out of works under the colonial loan. The railway between Dunedin and Port Chalmers was progressing satisfaclorily, and is likely to be open for traffic in February. The erection of a bridge across the Waitaki would be contracted for as soon as the necessary plans were prepared. The long delay in placing additional land in the market had seriously diminished the sum total of the revenue during the past year. Notwithstanding the bulk votes passed to be expended, £23,000 only had been paid up to date by way of subsidy to the District JRoad Boards, being £3000 in excess of the last annual vote. Ab a necessary result, the Provincial account at present was largely overdrawn. From the steps now being tnken towards placing land in the market, and reducing departmental expenditure, be hoped the accounts would speedily be in a more satisfactory position. From the estimates, it would be seen that the most rigid economy bad been enforced, and that the annual departmental expenditure was considerably reduced. The Government felt some deiicacy in dealing with the estimates of expenditure connected with the Provincial Council, but were strongly of opinion that they may be greatly reduced. t He need not say that it was anything but a pleasant duty to have to dispense with the services of public officers from no fault of their own ; but the necessities of the service and the exigency of the case alike left no option in the matter. While upon the subject, be felt that any retrenchment which could be effected here would be very incomplete unless the General Government reduced the number of civil servants, by amalgamation of offices or otherwise. At present £50,000 a year was retained out of their share of the consolidated revenue in respect of General Government services provincially charged. Ho trusted that the representatives of the province in the Assembly would endeavor to get the amount largely diminished, so that the difference might be applied to public works. Resolutions would be submitted having for their object such amendments of the Waste Lands Act as shall offer greater facilities and encouragement in the acquisition of land for settlement. He hoped the recomendations of the Council would be so unanimous as to secure their being given effect to by the Colonial T egislature. A bill would be' sub--2nrs±d for the consolidation of existing road districts, establishing road boards all over the province, and conferring more extended powers on such boards. Should the bill become law, the question was whether or not it would be desirable to band over the administration of main roads to the district boards. Resolutions would be expressive of approval of the provisions of the Otago Settlements Act being extended to various portions of the province. The

concurrence of the Council would also be asked in the province availing itself of the provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Act in respect to immigration.