2300
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 61

During the last twelve months death has removed the Hon. William Cowper Smith, of the Legislative Council, a gentleman who had earned for himself the esteem and respect of both branches of the Legislature.

I am glad to be able to congratulate you on the continued prosperity of the Dominion and on the increase in the material well-being of the people, as evidenced by the returns and the reports of the State services. The condition of the people generally is much improved, contentment and happiness obtain everywhere, and the outlook for our producers and for those engaged in manufacture, trade, and commerce is encouraging.

The farming industry, equally with the other industries of New Zealand, continues to develop not only rapidly, but on a firmer basis than in the past; for although live-stock products still form the great bulk of our exports, and wool easily maintains its position as the most valuable of these, yet the Dominion is by no means so dependent as formerly upon the price of any one staple. The closer settlement of extensive tracts of country once grazed in large areas is now reflected not only in the increased value, but also in the greater diversity of our exports of farm-produce, the most noticeable features in this healthy change being the increases in the production of lamb, butter, and cheese. Having in view the conditions of the world’s markets for the commodities that New Zealand exports, and also the probable effect of the competition of other countries, my Advisers consider there is every reason to expect a continuance, or even an augmentation, of the prosperity which has lately characterized the trade and industry of the Dominion.

During the past year my Advisers have continued the work of assisting the settlement of the country by steadily pursuing the construction of railways, roads, and bridges in various parts of the Dominion under the authorities granted by Parliament.

The means of communication in districts more remote from the principal settlements have been appreciably improved by the formation and extension of roads and tracks. More progress might have been made in this direction but for the fact that during last year the labour which was expected to be available for roadworks during the summer was to a larger extent than usual absorbed in other industrial pursuits, and was not obtainable during the months most favourable for work in the backblocks.

The professional gentleman selected by my Advisers to act as Chief Electrical Engineer in connection with the development of hydro-electric power has arrived in the Dominion, and has entered upon his duties with an energy and enthusiasm which encourages the hope that the first large scheme to be undertaken will, within a reasonable period, be in successful operation. Much valuable investigation in connection with this undertaking has been accomplished by the Assistant Electrical Engineer, who was in charge for a short time pending the arrival of the principal Electrical Engineer from England.

The survey-work in connection with the important scheme for the irrigation of a large area of suitable land in the Ida Valley, Central Otago, has been completed, and my Responsible Advisers are now in a position to enter into contracts for the supply of water to the landowners, in accordance with the provisions of the authorizing legislation passed during last session of Parliament. The Last Chance Water-race, originally constructed and used for many years in connection with mining operations, has been acquired by the Government on favourable terms, and it is proposed to utilize the race as a source of supply for the irrigation of considerable areas of land at Bald Hill, Earnscleugh Flat, and the intervening country.

Other irrigation schemes presenting favourable features are receiving careful attention.

The output of gold and silver from our mines shows a slight decline, but this is more than compensated for by the increase in the output of coal, which for the first time has reached over two million tons.

The mining industry produced minerals during the year to the total value of over three and three-quarter millions sterling, and since the commencement of mining within the Dominion wealth to the value of over one hundred and eleven millions has been won.

In regard to the labour-market, I am informed that the outlook for the immediate future is very promising indeed. Although we are well into the winter the applications for employment at the various bureaux of labour have been fewer than for many years past.

Great interest has been taken in the Workers’ Dwellings Act passed last session, under which workers in any part of New Zealand are now enabled to