when I find I have not the support of a majority of this Council, upon the main questions of policy, I shall look upon my stewardship as ended, for I hold that whenever a public man at the head of a representative government, either large or small, loses the confidence of the people, it is time for him to resign his office; for be his intentions ever so good, or ever so pure, his power for doing good is gone.

These are my principles, gentlemen of the Provincial Council, and upon them I stand or fall; and when I find I am no longer wanted by my fellow-settlers I shall willingly retire to my farm.

I have, reluctantly left it, but when I saw year after year our districts drained of their resources for the benefit of Nelson and its neighbourhood, and our wants grossly neglected, I joined with others to gain what we now possess—the management of our own local affairs—and it is my sincere hope that we shall be regardless of our private interests whenever they clash with those measures that we conscientiously believe are for the benefit of the province at large.

I have prepared, and shall lay before you, the following draft bills for your consideration, viz.:—

Executive Council Bill
Cattle Branding Bill
Stock Regulation Bill
Dog Nuisance Bill
Education Repeal Bill and
The Road Bill.

I will explain my object in bringing these measures before you as they separately come under your notice.

I shall before long lay before you estimates as to our revenue for the year ending June 30, 1861, and also of our estimated expenses. These estimates, you must be fully aware, are only very little data; but I have no doubt that, under-rated the amount our revenue will realise.

Unfortunately, at present, having no port for foreign trade; our customs duties are very trifling—nearly the whole of that revenue being at present taken either at Nelson or Wellington, before the goods are shipped here. We shall, therefore, have to pay the interest of the permanent debt, and nearly all the General Government charges out of our own revenue.

I shall consider it my duty, with your assistance, to have this remedied as soon as possible, for without a customs revenue we cannot possibly flourish.

In the estimates of expenditure, you will find that I have put down £2880 for bridges. The principal ones are:—

Cart bridge over the Tua Marina;
Cart bridge over the Omaka, Beaver; and
Horse bridge over the Pelorus, on the road to Nelson.

These three bridges, I consider, should be immediately put in hand.

In the estimates of expenditure for roads, I have put down £1828. The principal ones are:—

From the Awatere, over the Taylor’s Pass, to the Beaver;
From the Beaver to the Wairau river, to open a direct communication with Picton;
To make and repair the road from the Wairau to Picton;
Laying out a road on the plain, and repairing the same from the Waihopai, through the Narrows;
Making a bridle track from the Kaituna, by the Wairau, to the Tua Marina.

These are the main lines we at present can afford to deal with. Some repairs will be required upon other roads, and something done on the coast line to the Amuri; but at present we cannot attempt much.

The ferries that I propose are—
One over the Wairau, from the Bluff at Hannam’s Bush; and
One over the Wairan, on the road to Picton.

In the estimates, those for public buildings are large; and it was my purpose to have endeavoured to avoid them this year; but I find we shall be compelled to build a gaol, or enlarge the present lock-up, and to have other conveniences for the public service; I therefore consider it better at once to erect some good plain substantial buildings, that will be of permanent service to the province, than to expend money in makeshifts.

In making the roads and bridges, &c., I hope you will agree with me, that they should be done substantially and well.

There is a sum for educational purposes: my views hereon I will explain when the subject is brought directly before you for your consideration.

I have also put a sum on the Estimates for Rifles, &c.

Considering that we have a right to our share of the Nelson Trust Funds, the larger portion of which fund has arisen from lands sold in these districts, I have had served upon the trustees a notice that, for an account, and that we shall hold them personally responsible for any further outlay of the said funds until some adjustment is made between the two provinces. I hope this will be done without an appeal to the Supreme Court.

In the matter of the sale of the Government land still remaining unsold in this province, my impression is that we should class that under three heads, viz.:—

Pastoral,
Inferior Agricultural, and
Superior Agricultural, or Timber Land,

and that now most of the best land in the province has been sold, I think it would be unfair to the public, and giving an undue advantage to the owners of land purchased at the fixed upset price of 5s. and 10s., to make any higher assessment than

Pastoral Land, at 5s.,
Inferior Agricultural, at 10s.

I am perfectly aware that there is a difference in the value of different parts of these two sorts of land, particularly the pastoral; but the line of value is very difficult to draw with equity, without a personal inspection, and as such would be impossible in all cases, it would be invidious in the few; therefore I consider it fairer to all parties to let the upset prices stand at 5s. and 10s. than trust to any office assessment, which many of us know to our cost is not always a very equitable one.

And there is another advantage. I believe it will be more satisfactory to all parties for the upset prices to be fixed as far as practicable; therefore the only land I shall advise an assessment to be made upon is the timber, or superior agricultural land, and this may vary between 10s. and 20s.

The question of accounts, and any other difference between the Nelson province and ourselves, I am of opinion can be best settled by a Committee of the House of Representatives, if such a course can be taken. I have written to the Superintendent of Nelson for an account of sums voted and sums expended for this province, but there has not yet been time for his reply. As soon as I am in a situation to lay any statement before you, it shall be done, and I will then advise with you as to the best course to adopt.

There are numerous other subjects I shall have to submit for your consideration: for instance, our Postal Communication, Immigration, etc.