714
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 34

inhabitants of the colony, while at the same time it has enabled visitors to form
some idea of our natural wealth and of the energy and industry of our people.

In the very successful demonstrations which were held in Wellington and Auck-
land for the purpose of celebrating the completion of the fiftieth year of the existence
of New Zealand as a part of the Empire, I was greatly impressed with the mar-
vellous progress which the colony had made, with the large proportion of happy and
healthy children who were prominently put forward to join in the celebration,
with the orderly behaviour of the great crowds of people, consequent without
doubt on the high standard of comfort and prosperity enjoyed by all classes, and
with the patriotic love for the colony entertained by those who have made it their
home.

It affords me much pleasure to be able to congratulate you upon the evidences
which during last year were afforded of the substantial progress made in the
circumstances of the colony. The provision made during last session for carrying
on the public services has proved more than sufficient. It is satisfactory to note
that where there has been an increase of revenue it has been in items which show
that a further advance has been made in productive pursuits, while the stationary
condition of other items shows that there has been no departure from the temperate
habits of the people. The volume of exports has still further increased, and, while
the value of some—notably flax—has unfortunately declined, that of others remains
fairly satisfactory.

My Ministers will place before you information which will show that the pro-
ductiveness of the colony is enlarged; that, notwithstanding the increased expendi-
ture of capital which must have been incurred in making productive the additional
area of land acquired during the year by private persons, the position of colonists so
far as their private indebtedness is concerned has greatly improved; and that there has
been a satisfactory addition to the funds held by the Savings-Banks and the
Insurance Department.

The waste lands of the Crown have during the past year been settled at a
satisfactory rate of progress. My Ministers have endeavoured to afford to selectors
as wide a choice as the nature of the land now held by the Crown would admit.
Statements will be placed before you to show that this has resulted in the settle-
ment of a large area of land, and I am glad to be able to inform you that the
increase in the number of agricultural holdings was last year greatly in excess of
that during any previous year of the colony’s history.

While my Advisers are gratified at the substantial progress which has been
made in the productions of the colony, and with the advance of settlement, they
believe that still greater progress can be made if more adequate means are provided
for opening up land in advance of settlement by means of roads, and for acquiring
Native lands. They will therefore submit for your consideration proposals for
effecting these objects.

During the recess General Edwards, an officer who holds an important position
in the Imperial army, and a high place in the estimation of competent authori-
ties, visited this and the other colonies of Australasia, in order to ascertain and
report upon the condition and efficiency of the colonial forces. He has furnished me
with a valuable and exhaustive report upon our defences, our permanent corps, and
our Volunteers, and has made many suggestions as to the best means of rendering
them more efficient. The report has received the careful consideration of my
Ministers, who will submit for your approval a scheme which they believe will, if
carried out, provide for the defence of the colony against any attack which is likely,
in case of war, to be made upon it.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—

The estimates of revenue and expenditure will be laid before you. The
estimates of expenditure have been prepared with a due regard for economy. The
increased demand for school-houses and other public buildings has been considered.
In the opinion of my Advisers it will be necessary for at least two years to make
exceptional provision for these purposes. They believe that such expenditure
should be provided for out of revenue, and votes for these purposes will be found in
the estimates.