SOUTHLAND
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
GAZETTE.

Published by Authority.

Vol. 1] TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1862. [No. 15.

ADDRESS
OF THE SUPERINTENDENT ON OPENING THE
SECOND SESSION OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
OF SOUTHLAND.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council;

IN this early stage of our existence as a Province, it is highly satisfactory to find the Finances of Southland in a condition so flourishing as they now are. At the time when we last met, as you are aware, the Revenue for the few months that succeeded the constitution of the Province was little more than nominal. The Land Revenue from 31st March to 1st August was only £956; the Provincial share of the Ordinary Revenue, from 31st March to 1st July, £475. The Province was then languishing under the depressing influence of an external attraction which drew away many of the more energetic settlers; there appeared to be no immediate prospect of a favourable reflux, although it was confidently believed that such would occur at no distant time. It did occur sooner than might have been anticipated, and, as a necessary consequence, the Revenues, both Territorial and Ordinary, have greatly increased. The Territorial Revenue for the last five months has exceeded £19,500—the Provincial share of the Ordinary Revenue for the last six months has amounted to £1223; and, after deducting Expenditure a balance is left, on the 1st January, in favour of the Province of above £13,500.

The neighbourhood of the Gold-fields, however, has occasioned a considerable expenditure in excess of the sums voted by this Council at its last meeting, chiefly on account of the increase of the Police force, which was considered necessary, in order to render it effective when this Port was acknowledged to be what it really is, the natural outlet of a wide extent of auriferous country.

The first duty of a Government is, to provide for the security of the community; and in anticipation of a contingency so probable as that which led most directly to the Gold-fields the Government of Southland would, in my opinion, be open to grave censure, and be wanting in a proper sense of its duty, if it hesitated to assume the responsibility of exceeding the expenditure in this department sanctioned by this Council. For the purpose of placing the Provincial authorities in a position which would enable them to maintain order, an efficient staff of police constables is in course of being organised, which will form the nucleus of an effective force, whenever circumstances will render it necessary to increase the number.

In the departments of Roads and Public Works, the expenditure on some particulars has also been in excess of the sums voted in the last session. Up to the end of September, sufficient labour could not be obtained to prosecute the works most required. It became necessary to authorise the Overseer of Works to engage labourers in the Province of Otago; and I have to acknowledge the courtesy with which the Superintendent of Otago afforded every facility to the agent of this Province to obtain the labourers wanted. A sufficient number of men came hither then, under engagements for six months; immediately after, many other persons arriving in the Province, furnished a superabundance of labour, and at the same time gave a stimulus to the land sales, which have since that time continued steadily to increase.

For various reasons, which will be explained when the subject is under discussion, it has been found impossible to conclude contracts