land. I know of no more likely means of attaining this end than for the two Provinces of Otago and Southland to re-unite. The interests of both are precisely identical, and conjointly they possess the elements of a magnificent Colony. Were such a union effected there can be little doubt that the first step towards a gradual and voluntary fusion of the Middle Island into one Province would be affected.

I would suggest that, with these objects in view, overtures for a union should be made to the people of Southland.

There were several extensive and much needed Public Works sanctioned by you last year, the carrying out of which was contingent upon the Loan Ordinance, 1867, being assented to by the General Assembly. In consequent of the refusal of this assent these Works have not been undertaken.

One very marked feature of the expenditure of the year has been the Grants-in-Aid to District Road Boards and Municipalities. By means of these grants a large portion of the revenue has been diffused all over the Province, and probably more District Roads making accomplished than since the commencement of the Settlement. It is much to be desired that, in apportioning the revenue for the current year, we may be enabled to make provision for continuing these grants on the same scale.

Various measures of a more or less important nature will be submitted to you, for which I bespeak your careful attention.

I have to congratulate you on the improved Financial position of the Dunedin Corporation.

The Estimates, which will be laid before you, will be framed with a view to the utmost economy, consistent with efficiency in the Departmental expenditure.

You will be asked to vote for Public Works such monies as the revenue will admit.

You will join with me in regretting that many of the Works required have been rendered necessary by the severe floods with which the Province has been afflicted.

In conclusion, I would remark, with reference to our relation with the rest of the Colony, that it is much to be regretted that those relations should continually involve us acting on the defensive. I am persuaded that nothing is more prejudicial to the real interests of this Colony than a meddling General Government. That there must be a change of some sort is imperative. To my mind, the proper direction of that change should be to permit, and if necessary, compel each Province to provide for its own peace, order, and good government, out of its own resources, as best it may. This is the policy of the Constitution Act. Had it been adhered to, the Colony would have been spared the perplexities and the burdens in which it is now involved; and this Province, instead of being forced by the instinct of self-preservation into a position of chronic antagonism with the General Government, would have been left untrammelled in the pursuit of its natural and proper functions.

I have only further to express my earnest hope that, the result of your deliberations may be the advancement and happiness of the whole body of the people, and the more speedy development of the vast resources of the Province which, under Providence, has been confided to our joint administration.

JAMES MACANDREW,
Superintendent.

8th April, 1868.

PROCLAMATION.

By His Honor JAMES MACANDREW, Esq., Superintendent of the Province of Otago.

I, JAMES MACANDREW Esq., Superintendent of the Province of Otago, do by virtue and in exercise of the powers vested in me in this behalf by the “Roads Diversion Ordinance, 1866 Session XXII,” proclaim and declare that all those portions of the roads in Awamoa Road District in the Province of Otago mentioned and referred to in the said “Roads Diversion Ordinance, 1866, Session XXII,” and which are particularly described in the Schedule hereto, shall from and after the day and the date hereof cease to be public roads or thoroughfares, and shall no longer form part of the roads in the Awamoa Road District aforesaid.

SCHEDULE.

Awamoa Road District.

1. One hundred and fifty-three chains in length, sixty links wide, from south-west angle of section eight, block four, Oamaru Survey District, to south-east angle of section forty-six, said block. Boundaries: north, sections eight, nineteen, thirty-seven, and forty-six, said block and district; south, sections nine, eighteen, thirty-eight, and forty-five, said block and district.

2. Ninety-seven chains in length, one chain wide, from south-west angle of section thirty-seven, block four, Oamaru Survey District, to township of Oamaru. Boundaries: north-west and south-east, sections thirty-seven, thirty-six, thirty-five, and forty-nine, said block and district.

3. Twenty chains in length, sixty links wide, from north-east angle of section nineteen, block four, Oamaru Survey District, to south-east angle of said section, said block and district. Boundaries: east, section thirty-seven; west, section nineteen, said block and district.

4. Forty-seven chains in length, one chain wide, from north-east angle of section eighteen, block four, Oamaru Survey District, to point A on plan, on section forty, said block and district. Boundaries: east, sections thirty-eight, thirty-nine, and part forty; west, sections eighteen, seventeen, and portion of sixteen, said block and district.

5. Seventeen chains in length, sixty links wide, from point A on section forty, block four, Oamaru Survey District, to point B on section forty-one. Boundaries: east, part of sections forty and forty-one, said block and district; west, part sections sixteen and fifteen, said block and district.

6. Thirty-three chains in length, one chain wide, from point A on section forty, block four, Oamaru Survey District, to point C on section forty-one, said block and district. Boundaries: east, parts sections sixteen, fifteen, and forty-one; west, parts sections sixteen and fifteen, said block and district.

7. Three chains in length, sixty links wide, from point C on section forty-one to point D on section forty-two, block four, Oamaru Survey District. Boundaries: east, portions sections forty-one and forty-two; west, portions sections fifteen and fourteen, said block and district.

8. Twenty-two chains in length, one chain wide, from point C on section forty-one, block four, Oamaru Survey District, to Beach Reserve. Boundaries: north-east and south-west, sections forty-one and forty-two, said block and district.

Given under my hand, and issued under the Public Seal of Otago, this seventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

JAMES MACANDREW,
Superintendent.

By order,
A. J. BURNS,
For Secretary for Land and Works.

SHEEP INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

Dunedin, April 7th, 1868.

SIR,—I have the honor to forward for the information of the Government, a report of the state of the department under my charge.

I have great pleasure in being able to state that, out of 80,000 diseased Sheep returned in September, there are only 38,000 at all doubtful; and it is probable, before two months are over, the whole of the country may be declared clean. The flocks in the Province were never so free from disease as they are at present.