6 TARANAKI GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

on the security of the land revenue of the Province in the terms of the "Provincial Public Works Advances Act, 1874." The expenditure is subject to the approval of the General Government, and though not subject to the appropr[i]ation of the Council, the Council have virtually a voice in the expenditure, as I act with the advice of my Executive in administering it.

Owing to the unprecedented wet weather during the winter months when the survey commenced, the progress of the work was not so rapid as I desired. A block of land of 8,000 acres is now, however, declared ready for sale. A smaller size block will follow in about a month, and as soon as the bush clearing on the site of the Milton Township is burnt, the town sections will be offered for sale.

In exercise of the power vested in me by the Waste Lands Act, I have set apart about one-third of the area of the block open for selection on deferred payments.

The lands in the Moa and adjoining blocks are well adapted for working settlers, and I have reason to believe that in a very few years all those districts will be in a thriving condition. A Board of Commissioners has already been appointed to administer the waste lands, and it is my intention to appoint two additional Commissioners at an early date.

I have to congratulate you on the success which has attended the introduction of immigrants into the Province. The class of persons introduced have on the whole proved to be very satisfactory, and I have no doubt they will become a valuable addition to our population. The great bulk of the labour has been taken up by private employers, the Government affording work to those only who could not find employment from private individuals.

The Estimates of revenue and expenditure will shortly be submitted to you, and due economy will be exercised by the Government in providing for the public service. But the increased cost of living consequent on a more prosperous state of trade, and the great advance in the price of skilled labour, compels the Government to recognise the claims of many of its officers to a more liberal scale of remuneration for their services.

You will be asked to re-vote several sums which were authorised by you to be expended on public works, the dearth of labour having rendered it unwise to push on these works except where absolutely necessary. As there is yet time to complete these works before winter, I hope that little or no public inconvenience will result from the delay.

The unsatisfactory condition of the Lunatic Asylum and Hospital claim your serious attention. It is most desirable, if not absolutely necessary, that those institutions be separated at an early date, and better accommodation provided.

The increase of the Survey Department, consequent on the rapid acquisition of native lands, necessitates the erection of larger and more convenient buildings for the efficient administration of the waste lands; you will therefore be asked to provide the necessary funds to give effect to this requirement. The reports from the heads of departments will be laid before you.

The proposal made by the House of Representatives last session to abolish the existing form of Provincial Government in this island, is a question which requires the gravest consideration. Any constitutional change of this nature which takes the administration of the waste lands out of the hands of the local authorities and vests it in officers of the General Government, requires to be carefully guarded and just provisions made.

The appropriation of the waste lands revenue to works of great local necessity, such as harbours, railways, roads and bridges, and inter-communication generally, must be provided for, otherwise the prosperity which is now dawning on the Province and which has been so long and patiently waited for by the people, will, to a great extent, be lost to us.

Gentlemen, knowing as I do the great value of your time at this season of the year, I beg to thank you for your punctual attendance, and I cannot but express my hope that by our united efforts we may be permitted to contribute to the advancement and prosperity of our Province.

I now declare this Council open for the despatch of business.

FRED. A. CARRINGTON,
Superintendent