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which does not usually come under the consideration of the Council, yet in this instance I
should be glad to have your opinion also.

I feel sure that the uniform price hitherto
placed upon it has been too great, and has probably operated injuriously by preventing
settlement, and that to attain the desired result
as quickly as one would wish, the whole of the
unsold land should be re-assessed in most cases
at a lower figure; a portion of the sections consist of rich fern land free from stone well
situated as regards drainage. Some of this has
been already purchased; and I consider land of
that character is worth £2 per acre. Another
considerable portion consists of rich swamp
having apparently a good fall, but requiring an
extended system of drainage. In its present
state I do not think this ought to be priced so
high owing to the outlay required before it can
be made available.

KAIKORA.

If the provincial funds would admit, I have no
doubt that the construction of some main drains
would be a judicious outlay of money, and one
which would soon realise a good return, not only
in actual cash, but by promoting speedy settlement. Should we, however, be unable to provide
for this work, land of that class ought to be reduced in price.

There are also many sections with grass, scrub,
and rough vegetation upon them, covered, however, almost entirely with boulders which appear
to have been swept down from the mountains,
and deposited to a considerable depth over what
may possibly have been once good rich land.
Such can never be cultivated; and I should consider 10s. per acre a sufficient upset price. From
these remarks I think you will agree with me in
the advisability of having an assessment made,
having regard to the actual value of each section,
according to its description.

BRIDLE ROAD.

The new bridle road, now in the course of construction, from Kaikora to the Conway river, is
rapidly progressing. The work is being carried
out in a most excellent manner, and will, when
completed, open a very satisfactory means of
communication with the neighbouring Province,
and one which was much needed. The thanks of
the Government are due, and I take this opportunity of expressing them, to those gentlemen
who have, at much individual trouble, taken upon
themselves the task of supervising the public
works in their district.

CENSUS.

Of the census taken lately I need only say that
a careful examination shows the very satisfactory
progress of the Province, even after eliminating
the returns from the goldfield, as regards population, permanent improvements, and increase in
what specially constitutes wealth and indicates
general activity.

SUPREME COURT.

I have endeavoured to the utmost of my power
to urge upon the Ministry the importance of our
having a session of the Supreme Court held in
this Province; and I am happy to say that my
representations have been favourably entertained,
and I look forward shortly to the fulfilment of
the oft-repeated request of this Council upon this
point.

BILLS TO BE LAID BEFORE COUNCIL.

I now turn more particularly to the business
for which I have summoned you. The Government will lay before you the following bills:—

Education Bill
Roads District Bill
Public Reserves Bill
Presbyterian Church Bill
Poison Bill
Drainage Bill
Loan Bill.

Of these the first two relate unquestionably to
matters of the first importance, and require the
most careful investigation. I therefore caused
them to be prepared and forwarded to you some
time back, that you might have an opportunity
of a full examination prior to discussing their
merits at this table.

EDUCATION ACT.

It may be very readily conceded that the operation of the Education Act now in force has
been most inharmonious, but at the same time it
may be argued that by careful selection of schoolmasters and officers such want of harmonious
action as but lately existed might readily be
obviated; and indeed certain changes made of
late appear to have produced a more satisfactory
state of working than has previously obtained.
But I am strongly of opinion that there is inherent in the measure as it now stands a great
radical defect; it is no less than the actual constitution of the Central Board; and I may explain
my grounds for making this assertion by stating
that on my election to office I found one education
district entirely unrepresented on the board: for
a considerable period no person could be found
to accept the duties of member, and at a subsequent general election of the board at the commencement of the year the same difficulty was
again experienced. Even with the present limited
number of educational districts it has been found
difficult to obtain a sufficient attendance of members at meetings for the transaction of business;
and with a far more extended system of education, which the Province certainly now demands
and which I trust to see realised, this difficulty
I am satisfied would present insurmountable
obstacles under existing arrangements. In the
measure now submitted to you this is met by the
appointing the Provincial Government, the only
body which possesses all the conveniences and
opportunities for the service to act in the capacity
of and to be the Central Board.

The household rate of the present Act, a rate
whose only recommendation is based upon its easy
collection, and which anywhere but in the principal
towns, bears but an infinitesimal proportion to
the expenditure required, is not included in the
provisions of this measure.

ROADS DISTRICT BILL.

It will be admitted on all sides that a well-considered measure, dividing the Province into Districts for the maintenance of its roads, and the
appointment of local boards directly interested
in them, in other words a well-digested workable
County Roads Act would be of infinite service.
I shall not occupy your time in discussing the
merits of the principle. With respect to its details, and the particular Bill in question, I will
say a few words.

The Bill, as it has been submitted to you in
inspection, is not in many points such as the Government had intended; and owing to certain
unforeseen delays in the preparation, I had no
other course to pursue than to allow it to be put
in print, and forwarded to you with its imperfections, in order that you might have some time
for private consideration before meeting to discuss it. The Government simply, therefore, lay