REPORT ON USEFUL INDUSTRIES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4197, 26 January 1871, Page 3

REPORT ON USEFUL INDUSTRIES.

The following is the text of the report of the committee appointed by the Provincial Council to consider the best means of developing the resources of the province, and which was presented to the Provincial Council on Tuesday, the 24bli instant ; — "The select committee appointed to consider the be&t mode for encouraging useful industizes within the pi-ovinee have the honour to report that they have given the matter rcmitte { to them, such attention as the time and information at their disposal would admit, and have agreed to the following suggestion ; — That the Provincial Government bo empowered to make gi ants of land in moderate quantity, on qualified conditions, to persons willing to enter on certain im ustries tending to utilise the resources of the province, such, for instance, as the growth of beet root, the culture of the vine, the growth of tobacco, sericulture, hop-grow-ing, and oHier industries where the possession of land will be a substantial aid towards prosecuting the proposed design. That a premium or percentage shall be offered on the amount of goods sold non.l fide the produce of the province, whether prepared raw material or manufactured article, according to a schedule adopted by the Government, which shall classify the industries, and determine the reward in each case, and the pei iod over which the reward shall extend. That a linrtecl number of Frenchmen or Suiss be brought out, or encouraged to come, to this piovince on such con<li(;i<my as tha Government ov this Council shall i hmk proper, who shall be practically acquainted with vme-qvowmg nix\ the manufacture of wine, and with the scvctal processes in seiioulfciue, and the manufacture of sugar from beet root. The various industries detailed m catalogue maiked A are recommended as desiring immediate attention. Your committee further recommend that the object of the resources of this province, and the necessity for their speedy development, be specially urged on the General Government at this time as a colonial question, with the view of more effective encouragement being held out to local industries generally, than, as a rule, can be looked for from the province themselves. It is believed no apology is necessary for advising such a course. So obvious is the relation between the matters referred to in this report and the general prosperity of the colony, that your committee feel convinced nob a day should )?e losV <m fche part of Vne Colonial Government in devising and publishing a general scheme of a practical character — even as a temporary measure, until the Legislature can deal with the whole question at its next sitting. Meantime, seeing how numerous and valuable are the interests at stake, it is advised that a standing committee be appointed by the Council, whose business it shall be to collect additional information ; to co-operate with the Government in investigating thoroughly the details of our various resouices ; and to consider the best means for directing public attention to their importance and promoting their active development. — H. Ellis, Chairman, — The following i-> the catalogue referred to in the report :~lndustrio3 : (1.) Woollens: The manufacture of tweeds, light clothing, blankets, flannels, and hats, (2 ) I^iax- .• "Wooi-packs, Vaggiag-, mats a»tl matting, light calico or scrim. (3. ) Earthenware : It is stated in the report to Parliament, 1870, that in the North Island clays exist equal to the best clays of Bohemia for purposes of earthenware. (Clause 88.) (4.) Paper: This industry is now successfully carried on at Melbourne. Printing and wrapping papers are manufactured. The pulp in flax-dressing, and various indigenous grasses,are available. (5.) Malt. (6.) Hop 3. (7.) Starch. (8.) Chemicals : The castor plant, sulphuric acid, quinine, cinchona plant, manganese, and chrome, Bay of Islands. (9.) The manufacture of sugar. (10.) The manufacture of silk. Some ground in the Domaiu might be planted out with mulberry trees. (11.) The manufacture of wine. (12 ) The manufacture of tobacco. (13.) Building stone, at Mangawai. (14.) Limestone: Manufacture of lime and cement. Besides for building purposes it would, if produced inquantity, be largely in demand aa manure and topdressing for pasture land. Cement atone is stated, in Report 65, 'by Mr. O'Neill, to occur in various parts of >oth isla nds, equal in quality to that used in Europe for hydraulic cement. Roman cement could be made from this. (15.) Agricultural Implements. (16.) Carriage materials. (17.) Iron. (18.) Glass : Manufacture of bottles adapted for oilmen's stores of all kinds, and for preserves. (19.) Fruits : Lemons, walnuts, almonda, &c. (20. ) Broom corn : The manufacture of brooms. This iudustry is variously carried on in the province. It only requires stimulating and encouraging. (21.) Oilmen's stores : The manufacture of bottles and jars in glass and earthenware, at the lowest possible charge, is necessary for the encouragement of this industry (22.) Preserves. (23. ) Dried fruits : Apples, peaches, prunes, and raisins. This industry would be likely to flourish if a premium were offered for a certain quantity. (24.) Fisheries : Mr. Mackelvie mentioned a mode of preparing the mullet so that it may be preserved fresh for exportation, and that it is a fish that would be greatly in request in Melbourne and Sydney. (25.) Salt."