41

the Colliery Engineer, that coal will be found, at
moderate elevation, within seven or eight miles of
Westport.

The Loan Bill of last Session not having been as-
sented to, I shall ask you to pass it again, with such
modifications as are required by the General Govern-
ment.

Without agreeing in the precise terms demanded
by the General Government before assenting to such
Bills, I am satisfied that it is reasonable that the
land-fund should be specifically pledged for all debts
incurred in public works and colonization. The
money to be raised for the coal-fields, supposing the
project to be assented to, I propose should be ap-
plied in aid of any competent company which may
first undertake the opening of the field, and I think
that it should be paid as the work progresses.
If difficulty should exist in negotiating the loan in
one or more sums I think that the debentures might
be paid over to the proposed company, and nego-
tiated by them from time to time, without serious
difficulty or loss. Precise terms to be offered to
capitalists willing to undertake the working of the
coal-field will be sent down for your approval.

12. The Waterworks Loan is proposed in a Bill
    separate from the Coal-fields Loan, as it is possible
    that the same sort of security may not be required
    for a loan which it is proposed to meet by a special
    rate.

13. The Waste Land Bill embodying your resolu-
    tions of last Session has been passed, with modifica-
    tions, by the General Assembly, and transmitted
    home for her Majesty's assent.

The leasing clauses were rejected by the Assembly,
but there yet remain several valuable features in the
Act: it clears up some uncertain points, and dictates
a more regular course of practice; the extension of
the powers to give land for public works may enable
the construction of a central railway without incur-
ring debt; and a power to lease auriferous land may
prove an encouragement to steady industry in parts
of our gold-fields where great prizes are hardly to be
looked for.

14. The bridge across the Wai-au-ua River at the
    point where it leaves the Hanmer Plain has been
    completed since your last meeting. Not only does
    this bridge afford great convenience to the neighbor-
    hood and remove the necessity of fording the most
    dangerous river in this Province upon the direct road
    to Canterbury, but it has a claim on attention, as I
    believe the first example of an economical mode of
    constructing bridges across streams subject to heavy
    floods, and with rocky and almost inaccessible banks.
    My thanks are due to the Provincial Engineer (Mr.
    Blackett) for the bold and novel conception and
    details of this bridge, and to Mr. Handyside for his
    ingenuity and indefatigable attention in executing
    the work.

15. The Scab Act of last Session is in operation,
    and, I think, with promise of great usefulness. I
    believe it will need amendment hereafter; but our
    present experience is not enough to make me hope
    that it can be satisfactorily and permanently done in
    the present Session.

16. The influx of men from other parts of the
    colony, many of them in a destitute condition, will, I
    doubt not, engage your consideration, and induce you
    to hasten your decisions respecting such necessary
    public works as may give temporary employment
    and relief to such persons and the means of returning
    if they choose, to their former places of abode. At
    the same time, especial regard must be had to the
    condition of the provincial revenue, which evidently
    will not warrant any great amount of expenditure
    in that direction; nor with justice to the claims of
    settled labor in the Province, can it be expected that
    either permanent or highly-paid employment can be
    provided by the Government for any large number of
    strangers.

17. In connection with this subject you will, I
    have no doubt, consider the question, whether the
    present live stock in the Province are likely to be
    sufficient for the supply of any probable rush to this
    part of the country. You are aware that pleuro-
    pneumonia has found its way to Otago and Auckland.
    The Government of Canterbury have closed their
    boundary against cattle from the other Province,
    agreeing, however, to except Nelson and Marl-
    borough on condition of closing their ports
    against the cattle of the Northern Island. The pro-
    ceeding has, I regret to say, inconvenienced the set-
    tlers of the Amuri; nevertheless I have not at the
    borough on condition of closing their ports.
    convenience at the cost of closing the market that
    has supplied us to some extent. I shall be glad to
    hear that these subjects have received your atten-
    tion.

18. Trusting that your meeting may advance the
    permanent prosperity of the Province, I now leave
    you to your deliberations, and declare this Council
    open for the dispatch of business.

J. P. ROBINSON,
Superintendent.

PRINTED FOR THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NELSON, BY R. LUCAS, BRIDGE STREET.