A.—l
DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
No. 1. Copt of a DESEATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 72.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 23rd August, 1872. Adverting to my Despatch No. 14, of the 15th January ult., and to previous communications respecting the Public Works and Immigration Eolicy of the New Zealand Ministry and Parliament, I have now the honor to report that I was requested to inaugurate, on the 19th instant, the scheme of railways contracted for by the eminent English firm of Messrs. Brogden and Sons. 2. This ceremony was performed in the usual way, by my " turning the first sod" of the Wellington and Masterton Eailway, in the presence of the Ministers, of the Members of both Houses of the Colonial Parliament, of the Provincial and Municipal authorities, and of a large concourse of the general public. A detailed description of what took place on this occasion will be found in the local newspapers. I annex copies of the address presented to me by Mr. James Brogden, and of my reply. 3. Among the Parliamentary Papers regularly forwarded to your Lordship's Department will be found voluminous reports respecting immigration, and the public works of all kinds already commenced, or projected, in this Colony. The New Zealand Hansard (of which I transmit further copies herewith) contains the debates in the Legislature on this and all other public matters. The Statement made in the House of Eepresentatives, on the 20th instant, by the Minister for Public Works (Mr. Ormond), has been printed separately, and copies of it are appended. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. F. BOWEN.
Enclosure 1.
Enclosure 2. Enclosure 3. Statement by Public Works Minister. Vide New Zealand -Z__n-<w..,1872,p. 536.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Mr. Brogden's Speech to the Governor. May it please Your Excellency,— As this is the first public occasion on which I, as representative of the firm to whom has been intrusted the construction of various other lines of railway within tho Colony, have had the honor to meet your Excellency, it may, I hope, not be deemed inappropriate if I take this opportunity of saying a few words on this branch of the scheme of public works which your Excellency does us the honor this day to inaugurate. I venture to do so because my firm have had practical experience iv tho construction of railways in other parts of the world, and in bringing to a successful issue one of the most important objects of a railway—l mean the development of the resources of the district through which it passes. During the past twelve months I have visited the greater part of the Colony, and have seen that its natural resources —more especially, perhaps, as regards minerals—have, as your Excellency is aware, been developed as yet to only to a very limited extent. In this, as in every other newly settled country, the two requirements essential to its progress are means of communication and population. With regard to the former, I would remark that it is not by making a few lines of railway in one district, and a few more elsewhere, that a Colony will derive permanent benefit; and it is to something more than the mere temporary introduction of labour and I—A. 1.
1873. NEW ZEALAND.