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expedient, a respectful Address will be presented to you with that object.

With respect to the Estimates, we are highly gratified at the greatly increased amount of the revenue; at the same time we would beg respectfully to express the opinion, that the proposed expenditure should be kept within the estimated revenue, or due provision made for the excess.

The promised Report on Public Works will meet with the careful consideration of the Council, as also the Resolutions on the subject of Education.

The Council has duly observed the important alterations which the General Assembly of New Zealand has effected with reference to the Waste Lands, by which the control over such Lands is vested in the hands of the Governor.

The Council deems any exercise of the power to raise the price of Land in this Province at present unnecessary.

We look upon the "New Provinces Act" as detrimental to the development and progress of the Colony, and trust that the wisdom of those who will be allowed to regulate its operation will not suffer it to be carried into effect.

The various Bills referred to by your Honor will have the best attention of the Council.

In conclusion, the Council beg to assure your Honor that its deliberations will be influenced by a sincere desire to promote the progress and best interests of the Province.

W. CARGILL,
Superintendent of the Province of Otago.

MESSAGE, No. 1.

To the Provincial Council of the Province of Otago,

GENTLEMEN,—Your request, of date the 5th instant, that £8000 be placed on the Estimates for the purpose of securing, by the “Queen” steamer, a direct monthly communication between Melbourne, Invercargill, and Dunedin, for the next two years, has been duly considered, and, by advice of the Executive Council, I recommend that that amount be placed on the Estimates accordingly.

W. CARGILL,
Superintendent of the Province of Otago.

MESSAGE, No. 2.

To the Provincial Council of the Province of Otago,

GENTLEMEN,—Your several requests of date the 5th instant, that the Civil Engineer be requested to lay off a line of rail from the Mataura Plains to the Bluff Harbour; and also, that a sum be placed on the Estimates for the purpose of defraying the expenses of erecting a Bridge upon the Taieri River, which last is reported to me to have reference to a site between the junction of the Silver Stream and the Gorge, above Mr. Borrie’s house.

These requests have been fully considered, and, after consulting with the Chief Surveyor and Civil Engineer, it is found, with respect to the first, that there must needs be a survey and the cost estimated prior to any other steps being taken. And, still more, with respect to the second, that there must be a careful survey and estimate of cost before any sum can be placed upon the Estimates. These preliminary operations, however, will be carried out at the earliest possible date, though, at the present moment, with the exception of the Chief Assistant Surveyor, who is employed for the General Road Board on matters which the Board deems to be specially urgent—the whole surveying force is in the field, and systematically engaged in the completion of the great map of the Province, and which work could not be broken in upon without serious derangement and heavy public loss.

W. CARGILL,
Superintendent of the Province of Otago.

MESSAGE, No. 3.

To the Provincial Council of the Province of Otago,

GENTLEMEN,—The portion of Land adjoining the Harbour and Jetty Road having been granted to the Superintendent of the Province of Otago and his successors, upon trust, as a site for Public Stores and Buildings connected with said Jetty, I think it advisable, and accordingly recommend, that you refer to a select committee of your House the consideration of all questions affecting the rights of the said Land and of the present occupants thereof, and to report on the course you think ought to be pursued in the whole matter.

W. CARGILL,
Superintendent of the Province of Otago.

MESSAGE, No. 4.

To the Provincial Council of the Province of Otago,

GENTLEMEN,—Last year I recommended to you, upon the ground of the inadequacy of the Salaries of the Country District Schoolmasters under the Education Ordinance, to authorise the return of the School Fees to the Schoolmasters named therein, (being Teachers brought out from home under engagements).

I have now to make a similar recommendation as to the School Fees of the year preceding the 1st of October last, but