New Zealand

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

(PROVINCE OF TARANAKI.)

Published by Authority.

Vol. XIV.] NEW PLYMOUTH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1866. [No. 19.

GENTLEMEN OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL,—

I was prevented from calling you together at the commencement of the current financial year to provide for the expenditure of that period, by the uncertainty which then existed as to the proportion of the Customs revenue of the colony which would be handed over to the Provincial Government. We now know that the proportion given will be practically the same this year as in former years, and although doubt still hangs over another important source of revenue, it is right that a statement of our financial condition and prospects should now be laid before you by the Provincial Treasurer, and that you should make such provision for the expenditure of the Provincial Government as you may think the circumstances of the Province require.

In the way of legislation the principal measures to be submitted to you this session by the Government will be three, all affecting farming interests, namely, a Sheep Bill, a Cattle Bill, and a Bill to amend the Roads and Bridges Ordinance, 1858. The altered circumstances of the Province require an alteration of the Ordinances relating to all those subjects, some of the provisions of the existing Ordinances, such as those relating to the branding and slaughtering of cattle, being practically inoperative. A more speedy method than the present of abating the nuisance of the wild cattle in some of the bush districts seems also to be absolutely necessary. The Bill to amend the Roads and Bridges Ordinance will introduce the principle of rating on the assessed value of property instead of the acreage rate, and will authorise the raising of small loans by the different districts for local purposes.

The question of the manner in which the confiscated lands in this Province are to be dealt with is not finally settled by the Colonial Government. It appears that the representatives of other Provinces, especially those of the Middle Island, are naturally jealous lest any Province should appear to be deriving pecuniary benefit from the land confiscated from the natives, that confiscation being part of a policy which has involved the colony in a heavy debt. It is of little use to show that if these lands are handed over to the Province on somewhat easy terms, the Provincial Government is ready to bind itself to devote all profits derived therefrom to the purpose of opening up and colonising the country under regulations framed by the Colonial Government. Either the honesty of the intention is doubted, or the obvious consideration that the dreaded defence expenditure will be most surely and economically got rid of by strengthening and rendering self-defensive the weakest parts of the colony, is outweighed by local jealousies and the desire to squeeze a little hard cash out of the confiscated territory.

The Government of the Province has clearly expressed its belief that the true policy of the colony would be to apply the whole of the land fund derived from those districts to the purpose of promoting their speedy occupation by a strong population, trusting to the lessening of defence expenditure and the increase of the Customs and other branches of the revenue, as the surest means of lightening the burthens of the colony. It remains for us now only to await the final decision of the Colonial Government as to the course which shall be adopted. No person doubts