49

but for all other lines which may hereafter
be found requisite.

In order to obviate the confusion which
exists in consequence of the large number
of unbranded cattle to be found running
all over the country, I propose that, if not
claimed after due notice, they shall be
taken possession of by the Government
and sold to defray expenses, with which
view an Ordinance will be submitted to
you.

An Ordinance will also be laid before
you on the subject of Publicans\' Licenses,
and for regulating the sale of intoxicating
liquors throughout the Province. How
far the abuses of the present system, and
the evils arising out of the excessive in-
dulgence in such liquors, can be obviated
by legislation, may be a matter of question,
I feel assured, that you will
bestow upon the subject that earnest and
grave deliberation which its importance
demands. I have very great doubts how
far the root of the evil can be touched,
excepting through the moral sense of the
community : at the same time, it seems to
be imperative upon a wise legislature to
place such checks upon the sale of ardent
spirits as shall tend to repress drunkenness
and the numerous evils which follow in its
train.

As you are aware, the Ordinance for the
enlargement of the Provincial Council,
passed during a former session, has been
disallowed. Another Ordinance has been
prepared to the same effect, which I trust
will be in operation so as to enable three
additional members to take their seats
along with you next session.

The numerous importations of stock
likely to be brought into the Southern
District, have suggested the propriety of
reserving a portion of the Peninsula be-
tween Bluff Harbour and New River as a
quarantine ground for diseased sheep.
With a view to the speedy eradication of
disease, I have placed a small sum upon
the Estimates for the construction of dip-
ping tanks, &c. This outlay will,
if approved by you, be speedily repaid by
a charge on the parties using the proposed
erections.

On considering the Estimates, you will
find that a slight increase is proposed in
the permanent expenditure;—partly in the
salaries of the heads of departments, which
as a general rule have hitherto been inade-
quate to the responsibility of the offices,
and below the standard which the progress
of the Province warrants. The chief in-
crease is, I regret to say, under the head
of Constabulary; it is however necessary
to keep pace with the additional demand
upon the services of this department,
which an increasing population and the
facilities of intercourse with the neighbour-
ing colonies involve.

Under the Harbour department there
will be a considerable increase, arising out

of the necessity of appointing a Harbour
Master whose time shall be devoted
to the duties of his office, and who must
needs be provided with a boat\'s crew.
The creation of this appointment has for
sometime back been absolutely imperative,
and the beneficial effects of it are daily
manifesting themselves.

I deem it right on public grounds to
express my disapprobation of the circum-
stances under which this appointment was
filled up. Although I believe that a more
competent man than the gentleman upon
whom the office was conferred could not
have been found, and that the public is
fortunate in having such an officer; yet
the principle of the Government creating
prospective appointments and filling them
up on the eve of its retirement is to be
deprecated.

It was my intention to have proposed
the erection of an Asylum for Lunatics.
As, however, it is possible that a General
Asylum for the Middle Island may be
provided during the approaching session of
the General Assembly, I have deemed it
best to defer taking any action in the mat-
ter. In the meantime, as the present ac-
commodation in the Hospital is totally
inadequate to the demands upon it, it is
proposed to erect an additional ward for
female patients. Failing the anticipated
action of the General Assembly, it will be
imperative upon us to erect an Asylum
distinct from the Hospital.

A sum has been placed on the Estimates
for the purpose of procuring an effective
exploration of the Western Coast of the
Province. I need not point out the im-
portance of the object contemplated, nor
of the results which may accrue from such
an expedition—an expedition which I con-
ceive we are bound to carry out, even if it
should cost much more than the sum pro-
posed.

A communication has been received by
me from the General Board of Education
upon the subject of a High School for
Dunedin. As to the object sought to be
attained by that communication, I should
imagine that there can be but one opinion;
and whether the matter shall be initiated
by the Government or not, it is obvious
that the best interests of the Province
demand the establishment of a School in
which the higher branches of Education
shall be well and efficiently taught. While
the burden of organising such an Institute
might fairly devolve upon the Government,
I consider that, under present circum-
stances, the expense of keeping it up
ought to be defrayed by those taking ad-
vantage of this communication. I shall transmit
to you a copy of the communication re-
ferred to, and shall be guided by your
decision as to what steps the Government
shall take in this most vitally important
matter.

Gentlemen, you are doubtless aware