EXPORTS.—Bark.—Leather.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 3, Issue 105, 19 April 1845, Page 3

EXPORTS.— Bark.— Leather.

% Great as are the advantages of this beautiful Colony, were its political administration skilful and its internal relations peaceful, so that capital would flow to it, in , possessing natural products available for Export, it abounds no less with materials for manufacture of articles for its internal consumption j and every step, in such

until he learns His Excellency's intentions. The Hazard left this harbour again on Friday morning for the Bay. In anticipation of Ileki's visit to this district, wo arc most happy to witness the great activity of the Government in adopting measures on an extensive scale for the defence and protection of tho town. The works commenced on tho high ground at the back of the Court House, will be of i great service : they aro to bo surrounded by a stone wall and deep ditch, with a Martdlo tower of stone in the centre, on which will bo mounted a piece of ordnance, that will embrace within its range, a considerable distance. The interior will be capable of affording shelter, in caso of an attack on the town, to considerable numbers ; and the militia could well defend such works from auy attacks of the Natives. Another block-house is to be erected on the hill beyond Albert-street, so as to command that entrance into the., town. With these and tho previous defences, in addition to correct intelligence of every movement of the Natives, so as to prevent sudden surpriso, we consider the Town now perfectly secure. The activity and energy of His Excellency, with respect to these various precautionary measures, deserves the warmest praise and thanks of the inhabitants of Auckland, — and we hail them as an earnest, that now, ho has mjlitary power and force at command, ho will not overlook the slightest offence against the Laws by the Natives, nor suffer them, henceforth, to act as they please with impunity. By the overland mail from the southward wo learn that the Government Brig Victoria sailed from New Plymouth on the first of this month, so that her return to Auckland with re-inforcement of troops may be very shortly expected. Captain Robeetson. — This gallant Commander, whom we are most happy to hear is rapidly approaching convalescence, was presented last week with an Address, accompanied by subscription for a sword, expressive of the feelings of the subscribers for his brave conduct at Kororarika ; the following inscription is to bo engraven on the blade : — "Presented to David Robertson, Esq., Acting Commander of 11. M.5. Hazard, — by a few of his countrymen resident in Auckland, New Zealand, — to record their admiration of his gallant and daring conduct, in repelling with a handful of his crew, tho attack of an overwhelming body of well armed and determined I savages, upon the Town of Kororarika, at the Bay of Islands, on tho 11th of March, 1845."

branches of commerce, is of the highest importance. For, as on the one hand Exports tend to balance the trade of a Colony by paying in produce, instead of in specio, for Exports — so, on tho other, docs tho manufacture of any article of consumption, large or small within it, prevent tho necessity of importing that article, and thereby diminishes the amount of Imports, or debt due from tho Colony, to be paid by export of produce or specio. However small may be the amount of any such domestic manufacture, in these early days of the Colony, yet we look to tho true principle with which it is incorporated, and every fraction in diminution of tho amount of Imports of necessaries, we regard as an advancement in the scale of prosperity. The large importations of stock, during the last 2 years, have not only supplied tho settlers with beef and mutton at moderate prices, but also with hides and skins. The numerous forests abound likewise with barks, peculiarly adapted for tanning : — and now, Auckland possessess a tanyard in which is produced leather of quality that I will vie with European manufacture. The bark used in the tanyard of Mr. M'Vay is that of the native tree Towai, which is to bo found all over New Zealand. It possesses much tannin, as well as vegetable extractivo matter, and it would bo of ossential importance to the Colony, if some scientific person would properly and correctly show tho quantity of tannin and extractive matter contained in this bark, in order to compare its relative strength, and consequent value,with the recorded strength and constituent parts of Oak, Catechu, or Terra Japonica, Galls, and Mimosa Bark. Such analysis would givo sonio idea of tho value of the bark, in its rudo state, as an article for Export, and would also encour ■ age persons to obtain by evaporation of strong solution, similar to the process of preparing Terra Japonica, a concentrated extract, and export it in that state. Tho importance and value of such concentrated substance will be at once obvious, by stating that it requires four or five pounds of oak bark to produce one pound of leather — and half a pound of Catechu or Terra Japonica will effect the same object. To persons who are inclined to direct their time and attention to collect tho bark, , we would remark, that in every astringent j bark, the inner white bark, next to the alburnum or sap, contains the largest quantity of tannin, and the middle parts contain most extractivo matter. The outer surface or epidermis seldom furnishes either tannin or extractivo matter. Young trees abound most in the white cortical layers, and hence are more productive of tannin, under equal weights, than the barks of old trees. The duty on bark, or of any extract from bark, for tanning purposes, into Great Britain from tho Colonies, is only ono penny per cwt. The whole processes of tanning and currying are completely carried through by Mr. McVay, so that leather of every description, for the boot and shoe-maker as well as for the harness-maker, can now be purchased in Aucldand, and at much cheaper prices than they can be imported. — Wo heliere that all who have been some little time in this volcanic colony of scoria hills and rugged bush, if they aro not quite sedentary, have found the expenco of boots and shoes no inconsiderable item of their personal expenditure, and the assurance that the materials can now be manufactured within ourselves, and supplied cheaply, cannot but be highly satisfactory. Ox hides, calf, sheep and goat skins, aro now to be obtained in the Colony, and we should think that when stock are more plentiful, the raw hides would be bought at very moderate prices. The raw hide ought to be purchased for about four shillings : the materials for tanning are abundant, and very cheap, as well as labour. — The freight to England would not be more than £5 per ton, or about half-penny per lb., and the duty on tanned hides is only 5 per cent, ad valorem : — and by recent English papers we perceive that Butt Hides, those which are used for soles of boots and shoes, are selling at Loadenhall market, the great leather mart, from Is. 9d. to 2s. per lb., and Crop Hides, which form the upper leather at ls. 3d. to Is. Gd. per lb. ; therefore, we hope that, at no very distant period, both the Towai bark — or a concentrated extract of it, — aud manufactured hides and skins will bo found to be profitable articles of Export from New Zealand. i On Thursday morning, H.M.S. Hazard* Captain Johnson, arrived from the Bay of Islands. We understand that Nene has so far obtained the advantage over Heki, i that he has surrounded him within his Pah, j and that Heki has sued for peace, but Nene considers that the Governor is entitled to the first treaty with, or disposal of, the rebel chief, and holds him within his toils