Now, although as a matter of abstract I theory and of principle, we believe tlvat ' many of the leading public men of Wel lington do hold thai the management of the waste lands of the colony should be removed from local control and adminis tered as colonial estate, they all admit pretty freely that any reversal of tho bargain made in 1856 is practically impossible, aud that their own interests are directly opposed to any such change. Otago and Canterbury arej wont to boast greatly oi their land fund, but certainly the former province at least long has been,' and oven now is, doing its best to squander what ifc is proud o£ terming its birthright. The jobbery and

opinions of me and of my work, which you express on behalf of the working classes of the Colony generally, and of tlie citizens of Wellington, gratify nic exceedingly, and reward me for many years of anxious labour. The success at the Public Works policy comprehends the prosperity of all classes of tho com munity, and no greater evidence of that success could be desired than the feeling of tho working classes as well as of the citizens. That policy has carried with it encouragement to active industry, and it lias been the means of making their homes happy and their lives con tented. The welfare of a young country like this depends not upon the good fortune of a favored few, but upon the widely distributed prosperity of many. The general diffusion of wealth is most likely t© promote continuous efforts in the direction of that abiding settlement which is really the great object before us, iinisl to Lliat end have efforts been made to gift the land with larger in ducements to colonization by opening through it the means of communication. Wo have to hope that those who to-day arc the employed will in turn become employers, and that their ambition will lead them to settling down in their own cottages on their own land, whether in towns, rural, or mining districts, as thcir'occupntions leads them to prefer, My colleagues and [ are equally anxious to promote the progress of the country and happiness of the people. But on the people themselves by far the greater share of the result de depends. 