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in a great degree to render successful the establishment of a normal school, the want of which, judging from the valuable reports of the Inspector, is much felt at the present time in the Province.

You will be asked to sanction an addition to the Museum Building, for the purpose of a lecture room, library, and laboratory. It is gratifying that in so short a period from its opening in the present building this institution has acquired a value and interest in the estimation of the public which call for a more extended sphere of usefulness, and which will, I trust, lead to the establishment of a school of science of high value, as well in relation to the general education of the country, as to the development of its natural resources.

In this, no less than in the primary branches of education, certainty in respect of a sufficiency of means for its maintenance, such as cannot attend annual appropriations, is necessary to any continuous or large measure of success.

I hope, therefore, you will see fit to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee which reported upon this subject last year.

The establishment of a Reformatory has become absolutely necessary, not only in the interest of the Orphanage, in which it is not right to associate the children of respectable parents with those who are taken from the haunts of vice; but also for the reform of the growing class of juvenile criminals, for whom our Gaols are no fit place of confinement. I shall ask you to authorise me immediately to proceed with the fencing of the reserve set aside for this purpose, and the erection of the necessary buildings.

The Female Gaol, previously authorised by you at my instance, will be completed in a few days. You will be asked to sanction the construction of a Gaol at Timaru.

You will be requested to consider the provisions of the existing Roads Ordinance, with the object of determining the amendments which should be introduced in fresh legislation on the subject. With this view, my Executive Council has obtained practical suggestions from the Road Boards throughout the Province.

The important resolutions passed by you during your last session expressing your opinion as to “what Railways ought to be constructed within the Province out of the moneys for the time being available for the purpose,” under the provisions of the “Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870,” were duly forwarded by me, in compliance with the terms of the Act, to the Colonial Secretary.

Every exertion has been used by the Colonial Government to have the surveys made which were necessary in terms of those resolutions, and also to press on the works authorised by “The Railways Act, 1870.”

On the Northern Railway, as authorised by “The Railways Act, 1870,” the construction of earthworks, bridges, and fencing, as far as Kaiapoi, has been let to contractors, and is in a forward state; and the plans for the remainder of the line are nearly ready. The iron girders for the bridges and portions of the rails have already arrived; the remainder are being shipped as fast as vessels can be found to convey them from England.

The conditions on which these works are proceeding in respect of supervision by the General Government, and the terms on which a refund of expenditure will be obtained, are stated in detail in correspondence with the Colonial Government, which will be laid before you.