46

LAND AT HAVELOCK GOLDFIELDS.

Fully alive to the importance of placing land in the market, more particularly in the vicinity of the goldfield, in order to induce settlement, I had the necessary steps taken without any delay to throw open for purchase a quantity of town and suburban allotments at and near Havelock; but the time occupied in the surveying and the usual and necessary routine, resulted in the opportunity of advantageously disposing of these lands being for the present missed. I however look forward with some degree of confidence to a more prosperous condition of our goldfield, when these lands, now open for selection, will be taken up.

POLICE.

You will wish to know, as at the close of last session the staff of officials and police on and in connection with the goldfield was considerable, what steps I have taken to meet the now more limited demand for their services. I have to inform you that in a ratio corresponding with the state of the population, I have from time to time reduced the police force of the Province from twenty-three, which it numbered at a former period, to seven: two of whom are located at Havelock and on the goldfield—a number quite small enough to maintain any degree of efficiency; two in Picton; two in Blenheim; and at Kaikora, in consequence of information received of an infringement of the Licensing Act and of the disorderly state of the township, the appointment of one of the police force there appeared highly necessary, and has, I am happy to say, had the desired effect.

OFFICIALS.

I have also deemed it necessary to dispense with the services of the Mining Surveyor and the Bailiff and Inspector of Licenses, and at present retain only the services of the Warden; and looking forward as I do to the revival, if I may so term it, of mining operations on the field, I should strongly recommend that the present Warden’s services be retained; the sub-officials can be readily replaced, but I should be at a loss to find another warden on whose efficiency and integrity I could so entirely repose confidence, and I feel that it is of the first importance to have a reliable resident head of the goldfield staff, be it small or great.

FINANCE GOLD FIELDS.

I have had prepared for your information a return of the Revenue and Expenditure as nearly as may be in connection with the Gold Field, and although it would certainly appear that it had resulted in pecuniary loss to the province, yet at the same time the impetus given to trade, giving amongst other benefits a direct return in the shape of Customs Revenue, which has now become something real and tangible, together with a large increase in population, a portion of which though small becomes settled; must be accounted as conferring a solid benefit on the Province, whilst it must be remembered that the relatively most expensive part has been defrayed, viz., the first establishment of the necessary staff. We have realised the fact of a Gold Field, we are in a position now to count the cost more correctly, and may congratulate ourselves I think with justice on being in a better financial position than any other province with like experiences.

FINANCE PROVINCIAL.

I have likewise had Returns compiled shewing the sums which have been expended under the various heads of the two last Appropriation Acts, some few of which show an excess of expenditure over the voted amounts. This has arisen from causes beyond my control, and although I have been very desirous of confining the expenditure within the authorised limits, yet I have found it impossible in all cases to adhere strictly to that rule.

In some instances I have found that this result has been unavoidable, and I may instance as one case the amount paid on the Picton Road through the fact of their having been at the time of the passing of the Appropriation Act No. 2, no means of ascertaining the amount of outstanding liabilities in the shape of unfinished contracts, nor any very obtainable of the amounts expended at any given date under the head and for the various purposes for which you had set apart certain sums.

To meet this want I have caused books to be kept in each of the Departments which show at a glance the several sums voted under their respective headings, and the amount spent upon each of them at any date. These records I have found of the utmost service.

PICTON ROAD.

With regard to the excess on the vote Picton Road, I have to observe that when I asked for an additional sum which I deemed would be sufficient I was in ignorance of their being contracts in hand and other liabilities to the extent of nearly £250 besides a large amount due for metal; and a further sum of £200 voted under the head of Existing Contracts has never been made use of.

On the several items—

Pelorus Road.

Fairfield Downs.

Tools and Implements.

the votes had been exceeded before I took office, and I have contributed to swell the amounts of these overdrawn accounts only to a very limited extent, and chiefly where it was unavoidable.

ROADS.

There are some works which have not been commenced, owing to the limited means at my disposal. I have been enabled only to carry out such as were most necessary; and with respect to Roads, I have confined myself principally to endeavouring in as economical a manner as possible to keep them in such a state of repair as the nature of the traffic demanded. I should, however, have been far better pleased had the state of the treasury permitted me to accomplish all the works contemplated by you in your Appropriation Acts.

It would be perhaps premature to express an opinion on the result of the works which I have had constructed on the Sandhill Road. This much however I may venture to say, that though expensive the viaducts have been well and substantially erected, and I have no hesitation in expressing my belief they will be found effectually to accomplish their purpose of maintaining the road above flood level.

VISIT TO KAIKORA.

After an interval of nearly 13 years I have lately visited the Kaikora District and must express myself much pleased as well as surprised at the large area of rich land there situated, and am of opinion that a few years will develop a most flourishing settlement in that portion of the Province. I would wish, however, to make this one remark with regard to the assessment made on that land; and although that is a subject...