NELSON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. 41

character which it imparts to the undertaking, by constituting it an important portion of a trunk line through the whole extent of the Middle Island.

The concurrence and support of the Province of Canterbary, which will doubtless be more readily afforded to the extended scheme will also, I am satisfied, conduce largely to its popularity and success.

I have so frequently placed upon record my conviction that the construction of this railway is absolutely essential, not only to the present welfare and prosperity, but to the permanent existence, in any satisfactory sense, of this province, and I am so well assured of your concurrence in that conviction, that I need now only commend this fresh vigorous and united effort for its accomplishment to your earnest attention to ensure for it your hearty support to the fullest extent that the resources of the province will permit.

6. In order to meet, if possible, the frequently expressed wish of the people of the South-west Goldfields for special legislation, conferring upon each district local control over the expenditure of its contribution to the provincial revenue, I have caused a bill to be prepared which provides for the constitution of separate districts upon petition of a majority of the inhabitants, and places one-half of the total gross revenue raised within each district for sales and rents of land, miners\' rights, and business licenses at the disposal of a Board to be elected for the purpose, for expenditure upon the construction and maintenance of roads and other public works.

I earnestly trust that this measure will meet with your approval, as I am confident that if passed it will tend greatly to promote the growth of that good feeling between different sections of the community which is essential to the good government and permanent prosperity of the whole.

7. The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1872, having provided that a sum of £50,000 should be devoted to the construction of public works upon the South-west Goldfields, I recommended to the Colonial Government that the sum of £18,000, available for expenditure during the year ending 30th June next, should be apportioned as follows:—£6000 for a road from the Arnold to the Ahaura; £3000 for a cattle track from the Amuri to the Ahaura; £3000 for a dray road from Westport to Nine-mile creek; and £6000 towards a dray road between the Lyell and the Matakitaki.

The Government having decided, as will be seen from the correspondence to be laid upon your table, to appropriate the whole of the £18,000 to the three first-named works, I shall invite you to join with me in recommending that the whole of the £25,000 which will be available for the succeeding year be expended in the formation of dray roads from the Lyell to the Matakitaki, and from the Inangahua Junction to the Lyell.

The communication by dray road between the Port of Nelson and the Matakitaki will, I trust, shortly be completed by other funds, and I do not think that any other work can be pointed out for execution upon any part of the South-west Goldfields which will compare in colonial as well as in provincial importance with that to which I ask your assent.

8. The important discoveries of coal which been made at the Ngakawaho and its neighbourhood and at the Waimangaroa appear to me to justify the representatives of the province in urging upon the Colonial Government the importance of immediate action towards the construction of a railway adapted for coal traffic from the Ngakawaho to Westport from the funds practically assigned for that purpose by the General Assembly in the schedule to the railways Act 1872—namely £70,500 for Mount Rochfort Coalfield railway. I trust, therefore, that before separating, you will agree to a resolution to that effect, which it will give me great pleasure to support.

9. The rising importance of the Lyell district, the ascertained value of its gold-bearing reefs, and the probable attraction of a large population to the district within a few months, appear to warrant the extension of the telegraph wires from Reefton to the Lyell township, and, subject to your approval, I propose to make the necessary recommendation to that effect to the Colonial Government.

10. The resignation by Mr Shephard of the office of Provincial Treasurer has enabled me to effect a considerable reduction in the expenses of the department by combining the office with that of the Provincial Secretary, who, although the duties of the two offices will undoubtedly be heavy, will I feel assured be able to perform them without inconvenience resulting to the public service. The correspondence which ensued upon the resignation of Mr Shephard will be laid upon your table.

I now declare this Council open for the dispatch of business.

OSWALD CURTIS,
Superintendent.

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Printers for the time being to the said Government.