900 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. [No. 44

and the Native Land Courts. The Natives in all parts of the colony have
evinced a desire to have their lands opened by roads, and thus bring themselves
into closer touch with civilisation. Their anxiety to have schools established
in their midst shows that they are alive to what will prove of great moment to
their children in the future. I am pleased to be able to inform you that the
long-standing and much-vexed question in connection with the Wairarapa Lake
has been satisfactorily settled, and has been the occasion of much rejoicing.
The construction of roads through the Urewera country is making satisfactory
progress, and the erection of Native schools at Ruatoki, Te Whaiti, and Wai-
kare-moana will soon be completed.

During the recess several changes in the Ministry have taken place. The
Hon. Sir Patrick Buckley, having resigned his Ministerial offices and his seat in
the Legislative Council, was appointed to be a Judge of the Supreme Court. I
feel assured you will join with me in deploring the loss the colony has suffered
by his death so shortly after assuming that position. Next, the Hon. W. P.
Reeves tendered his resignation, and was appointed Agent-General. Mr. Hall-
Jones has been called to the Ministry, with the office of Minister for Public
Works; and the Hon. W. C. Walker and the Hon. T. Thompson have been
appointed members of the Executive Council; and, to facilitate the administra-
tion of public affairs, they and the Hon. J. Carroll have been allotted portfolios
without salary.

The finances of the colony continue to be sound, and afford good
reasons for general satisfaction. Strict regard to economical administration in
every department has been considered essential, and once more I am in a
position to state that the provision made by Parliament has been more than
sufficient for carrying on the public service. The public accounts show a sub-
stantial surplus of revenue over expenditure.

I am glad to be able to congratulate you on the greatly improved condition
of affairs and the general prosperity of all parts of the colony.

The temporary depression which prevailed some two years ago is fast passing
away without any far-reaching effects. Renewed hopes are being realised with
every prospect of a bright and lasting future. Most of our staple products
have risen in price, and the discernment of our agriculturists in respect to
grain-growing has met with a profitable return. The steady upward tendency in
the price of wool, grain, and other products is a matter for congratulation. The
unprecedented falls of snow in portions of the higher lands in Nelson, Canter-
bury, and Otago, by which large numbers of sheep were destroyed, was a heavy
and unlooked-for disaster to the pastoralists and runholders in those districts,
but the loss has to some extent been lightened by the measures adopted by
Parliament last session to remit rentals and extend the term of leases.

In March last a mining disaster, unparalleled south of the equator, occurred
in the Brunner Mine, on the west coast of the Middle Island, by which the
sixty-seven miners employed therein lost their lives. An expression of Her
Majesty’s sympathy and that of the Secretary of State for the Colonies was
transmitted to me by telegraph, and, by Her Majesty’s command, I caused it to
be forwarded to the relatives of these unfortunate men. I also immediately con-
veyed my heartfelt sympathy with the afflicted. Throughout New Zealand,
and in the other colonies, the deepest sympathy has been evinced, and has
assumed practical shape. The heroic work done by the rescuers at the risk of
their own lives is deserving of all praise, and entitles them to the respect and
esteem of their fellow-men throughout the Empire. I have thought it advisable
to issue a Royal Commission to inquire as to the cause of the accident, and its
report will be placed before you in due course.

The revival of gold-mining has been most noteworthy during the past year,
resulting in an increased output of gold by a quarter of a million pounds sterling
over the output of the previous year. The great mineral wealth of our colony
is attracting the attention of capitalists in many parts of the world, and, with
security of tenure and capital expended in the legitimate prospecting and develop-
ment of our mines, there is every reason to believe that the gold-mining industry
of New Zealand will increase in importance, besides affording relief to the labour
market by drawing off a considerable number of men to remunerative employment.