50

that a considerable agitation has for some
time existed in the Southern portion of the
Province with a view of that district being
erected into a separate Province. This
agitation has been based upon grievances
which to some extent were inseparable
from the peculiar position in which the
Government was placed; but chiefly upon
misinformation or misapprehension as to
the proportion of the public expenditure
with which the district has been chargeable.
I am glad to say that this misapprehension
is now on a fair way of being dispelled,
and that there is a very general feeling
throughout the Southern district that union
is strength—that under present circum-
stances any dismemberment of the Pro-
vince would be prejudicial to the whole.
There is a feeling, moreover, of confidence
that the interests of the district will be
duly cared for at your hands, and that a
fair proportion of the revenue derived from
it will be expended for its benefit,—a feel-
ing which I am sure you will not belie;
and which I am confident is so general,
that it will secure the integrity of the Pro-
vince against the short-sighted policy of
those who have been striving to break up
that integrity.

A numerously signed Requisition has
been transmitted to me from the residents
in the Northern part of the Province, re-
questing that land may be thrown open
for sale in that district. I shall submit a
proposition upon this matter by separate
message, and with your concurrence am
prepared to accede to the request.

The last point to which I allude is, the
amendment of our Land Regulations.
After mature reflection, I have come to
the conclusion that it would be impolitic
to disturb the price of Land, or the main
principles of the Regulations. It appears
to me, that by a wise and judicious exer-
cise of our existing powers, the present
Regulations may be so administered as to
secure most of the benefits sought to be
derived from fresh Regulations. For ex-
ample, by reserving all Lands from sale
until their survey is effected, and publicly
notifying that certain Blocks will be open
for selection on or after a specified day,
you will ensure competition if the Land is
worth competing for, and thereby get at
its fair value without raising the standard
of the present fixed price, which has no
doubt been the great attraction hitherto.

I shall propose that a Penal Clause be
added to the Regulations, to the effect that
in the event of the conditions not being
complied with, as specified in Clause 7, the
Land shall be subject to an annual tax of
One Shilling an acre. I would also pro-
pose that the Government, with the sanc-
tion of the Provincial Council, shall in
future refrain from selling Land in 2000-
acre Blocks, excepting subject to the usual
restrictions. If, however, it is your opin-
ion that a complete remodelling of the
Regulations should take place, and that
the fixed price should be raised, I shall be
prepared to unite with you in taking the
necessary steps to this end in terms of the
\"Waste Lands Act, 1858.\"

Having alluded thus cursorily to some
of the principal topics to which your atten-
tion is solicited during the present Session
—topics which, although not involving
anything brilliant, are nevertheless of con-
siderable practical importance—it now only
remains for me to express my confidence
that the various matters to which I have
referred will receive at your hands the
earnest consideration and impartial judg-
ment which becomes a deliberative Assem-
bly, and to declare this Council now open
for the despatch of business.

JAMES MACANDREW,
Superintendent.

REPLY.

THE Council cordially concurs with
your Honor in your expressions of
congratulation at the auspicious and pros-
perous condition of the Province at the
present juncture, and fervently hopes that
the absence of all party-feeling at the pre-
sent time will enable us to carry on our
discussions in the spirit of mutual forbear-
ance, and regard for the public interests,
recommended by your Honor.

The Council will devote its most serious
attention to the advantageous disposal of
the Public Revenue, as soon as the Esti-
mates are placed before it.

The Council entirely agrees with your
Honor in the appointment of a Civil En-
gineer to direct the departments of Public
Works, and also approves of suitable Re-
serves for roads, Railways, and other
Public purposes. With respect to Immi-
gration, the Council will be glad to co-
operate with your Honor in procuring a
continuous supply of approved Immigrants
from the Mother country.

The Council is gratified to find that the
subject of Coastal and Inland Steam Com-
munication has received due consideration
from your Honor. The various Ordi-
nances referred to in your Honor\'s address
shall have our most serious attention; and
the other topics mentioned in your Honor\'s
speech, including the establishment of a
High School in Dunedin, shall receive
from us that careful deliberation which
they manifestly deserve.

The disposal of the Waste Lands of the
Province is of such vital importance that
every question brought before the Council
relating thereto shall receive its anxious
consideration.

The Council pledges itself to assist your
Honor in all your efforts calculated to ad-
vance the well-being and promote the
prosperity of the Province; and rejoices
to hear that the movement in the South in
favour of separation is subsiding, and