per head, but the last clause left it in doubt whether nest year they would get that, as it said that the Act should "continue in operation till the first day of July next, and no longer." Therefore they were left in the dark as to what arrangement would bo made for the current year. The Provinces that had land available were in a different position to them, and they had a right to claim greater consideration from the Go vernment in consequence. They had a right to claim a certain proportion wherewith to carry on the necessary Government of the Province, the maintenance of the Police, the Harbour, Hospital, and other departments, and also be able to devote something to the opening up of the several districts, and to gettiug more population. Mr. Whitcombe then pointed out how at variance were tho different statements that had been published with regard to the confiscated lands ; the Welling ton Independent stating that there were 1 ,400,000 acres, 700,000 of which the native title had not been extinguished, and 700,000 acres were in the hands of the Government, and available ; yet ac cording to official returns, there was only 700,000 acres, and according to Mr. McLean, only 30,000. Of this, he (Mr. Whitcombe) said land to the value of £12,000 had been sold ; and as land was the principal source of revenue of a Province, if the}' did not make strong representations to obtain territory, the fate of this Province was sealed. He tlieu dwelt on the disproportionate amount paid to this Province for natives, showing that llawke's Bay, which had fewer Maoris, had £3,000 voted, whilst Taranaki had only £500. He also referred to the allowance to Road Hoards, which came out of the loan. The system, he considered, wanted mo difying, as the Aut specified that the money was to be devoted to opening up new roads j whereas, what tho Province required was means to make good those roads that wore already in existence. He then concluded by briefly reviewing the items on the estimates, and explained where the Government expected to get its revenue from. A discussion ensued relative to the financial state of the Province, when it was agreed that a Finance Committee should be formed to report to the Council. Several items on the estimates were then agreed to. 