INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5408, 26 January 1883, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

The ordinary meeting of the Committee of this Association was held last night in their rooms, Hereford street. Present — Messrs A. G. Howland (in tbe chair) E. H. Banks, F. Jenkins, R. Buchanan, B. Hale, E. Jones, W. Jones, D. Reese, R. W. England, E. Ford, H. B. Kirk, L. Bergh, W. S. King, and J. B. Sheath. Apologies for non-attendance were read from Messrs Sandstein, Smith, Thomas and Toomer.— A letter was read from the Under-Secre-tary for Railways, acknowledging the ceipt of a letter from the Association, asking that the reduced rates for native coal might be applied to traffic between all stations, in reply to which the Government stated that the matter would receive due consideration. The Chairman was of opinion that the Government was evidently laboring under a mistake as to the intention of the A—ociation. The Association was not formed for the purpose of opposing the Government, but to protect and foster local industries. He had no doubt btrtthat the Government had a great deal to think of, but an Association like theirs could render them great assistance if inclined to do so, for the advancement and welfare of the country. Mr Sheath said that the I Government was trying to put off the Association. An animated discussion fol-. I lowed, and it was eventually resolved to appoint a Committee to draw up extra information on the sub-, jeet, and bring it before the Government again in a more explicit manner. — Messrs McClatchie and Mcintosh wrote, enclosing a report from Professor Bickerton on an analysis of a sample of coal from the Brockley mine. The Professor was of opinion that it was one of the best coals iv New Zealand. He had used it, and had come to this conclusion from careful observation. It made no cinders, and scarcely

: any ash or smoke. A report was also ! received on a trial of both, Brockley and Westport, coals on locomotives, with a result most favorable to the former. — With regard to a lecture by Professor Bickerton, under the aunpioes of the Association, Mr England moved and Mr King seconded—-"Thattbe Oddfellows' Hall be engaged for this lectm-e, and that the charge for admission to the public be one shilling." The motion was agreed to, — A Sub-Committee waa appointed to consider the present Railway Tariff, to prepare a report on the same and present it to the Standing Committee at an early date.— Mr How—nd said he had recently received some further information with reference to the finding of precious stones in New Zealand. He considered with such information placed before the Government, a bonus .-ihould be offered. He moved—" That additional information be at once collected and sent,to the Government, with a request that they will reconsider their decision." Mr F. Jones and Mr England opposed th<? motion. Mr Ford remarked that he wa3 hi possession of further information, but would rather wait until he had enquired further into the matter before he disclosed it. His information was however conclusive that the stonesreeentlydiscovered were undoubtedly diamonds. The Chairman then withdrew his resolution, when it wasi re—lved that further action be stopped until after Professor Bickerton's lecture.—A letter from Messrs Elmisly and Curletfc was read, referring to ,the fact that at the late Agricult—— Show a vehicle exlubited by them was, after having been aivarded first prize, passed by, and the prize given to some other exhibitor. Some membens were of opinion that the question was out of the province of the Association, and that it should be referred to the. Agricultural and PastorAssociation. It was ultimately resolved that the matter be left in the I_nds of Mr Banks, who, as a member of the latter I Association, promised every assistance.— Mr F. Jones reported that there were mechanics in the colony who had successfully manufactured reapers and binders, [and movf/d; —"That the Local Industries Committee write to the Government, with a request that they should consider the advisability of allowing, free of duty, all timber which came to the colony for the purpose of this manufacture."—Mr B. W. England seconded, and suggested that the sub-committee be requested to make enquiries as to using native timber in preference'to foreign woods. Carried. —Mr F. Jones was elected a member of the Industrial Committee, vice Mr A, B, Kirk.—The Committee adjourned at 9.5G p.m.