22 PROVINCE OF WESTLAND GAZETTE.

During my visit to the Southern part of the Province I was much pleased to find large Races in profitable operation at the Salt-water and Gillespie’s Beaches, and that at the Haast one of the largest carrying Races on the Coast had been completed, and this I have recently heard is fully coming up to the expectations of its enterprising constructors.

With reference to the Provincial works which have been carried on during the year I must refer you to the very comprehensive Report of the Provincial Engineer, which will be laid before you for your information.

In reviewing the operation of the legislation of last Session, the only subject which I think it necessary to allude to is that of Education, this having been the leading question which then engaged your attention. Under the provisions of the Ordinance then passed, both Local and Central Boards have been elected, and the Rate Rolls compiled for the various Districts; some difficulty, however, arose with the Central Board as to bringing the provisions of the Ordinance into active operation by the collection of the rate, and the establishment of Schools throughout the Province, as they considered the amount set apart by the Government for that purpose insufficient. After considerable correspondence, however, the Board, on receiving the assurance that the Government would supplement the amount of Rates by a vote of £3000 for the first year, this being the minimum sum they could see their way to commence operations with, decided on carrying out the wishes of the Council as far as the means at their disposal will permit. In accordance with my promise to the Board, I shall ask your approval of the appropriation of this sum, and I feel assured that you will gladly vote the amount for the purpose of enabling the Board to at once introduce the system which you, after careful deliberation, approved of, and which is now waited for with anxiety throughout the whole Province. Copies of the correspondence relating to this matter I have directed to be prepared and submitted for your information. It will probably be necessary to submit an Ordinance amending in some particulars that of last Session, but before having this prepared I am waiting for the Report of the Central Board on the alterations they may wish to suggest.

I shall now refer to the leading subjects to which it is my intention your consideration should be invited during the present Session, and first among these arises the question of a revision of our Road Board system. On this question I propose, after having given it much careful deliberation, and made the fullest enquiry, to ask your approval to a measure which will provide for a re-constitution of the qualifications of both voters and members, so that only those who contribute to the rates shall be eligible to sit as, or vote for the election of, Members. The want of such a restriction has, I think, been one of the main reasons for the very unsatisfactory results which in many cases we have hitherto experienced; and, in order to secure representation to each part of the District, provision has been made for establishing wards. The almost nominal revenue which has been at the disposal of the Boards up to the present time, together with the limited functions they have been called upon to discharge, has, I think, in many cases prevented good local men from coming forward to take their share in this work, and even when good men did consent to act their hands have been so tied that they have