THE COLONIAL INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 41, 17 August 1881, Page 2

THE COLONIAL INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE.

The Colonial Industries Committee have sent in another interim report. They suggest that, with a view to the extension of the practical usefulness of the Geological Department, tho name should be changed to " The Department of Science and Industries," and that the department should be charged with the duty of collecting information, and reporting to the Government from time to time on the best means of establishing and encouraging the agricultural, mining, and manufacturing industries of tho colony ; also that the Government be requested to place a sum of J6IOOO upon the Estimates towards giving effect to this resolution. They further recommend that the proposed Department of Science and Industries should, with the viaw to the establishment of olive-oil culture, import by plants, seed, or trunehionß, as may be found best, the most suitable varieties of tho olive tree for distribution by the department, upon such terms and in such parts of tin

colony as the department shall consider best ; and that, as an inducement to the planting of olives, twice the amount should be given to each acre planted in olive trees that is granted under the laws and regulations for the encouragement of the planting of forest trees. Finally, th? committee have taken into consideration the aid to agriculture which local markets for cereals afford, and consider that, if spirituous liquors are to be used, these might not be more injurious if produced in the colony than if imported ; while they would, if produced in New Zealand, save a large amount of money yearly. The annual import of spirits amonnt to .£212,499, of which .£109,574 is for brandy, which i 3 commonly reported to bo largely composed of raw grain whiskey, imported into France from Great Britain, or manufactured from beetroot, and, after manipulation, exported as brandy. The committee say it ia found that grain damaged for food is still suitable for distillation, which would enable much grain that is now comparatively valueless to be utilised, and would prevent oats ever falling to the extremely low rates which have prevailed of late yearn. The establishment of distillation wcnld also be useful in view of the hopeful prospect of the early manufacture of sugar in this colony. The committee, therefore, report that, it is expedient, in the interest of agricultural industry, that distillation of spirits should be resumed in New Zealand, and that there should be a differential duty of six shillings per gallon in favour of the colonial manufacture. Such differential duty j to continue for five years or thereabouts.

The last few days there ha 3 been neither rumour nor gossip about the lobbies of tho Parlianr-nt Buildings, and members now seem to be anxious for nothing, save to return to their domestic fire-sides to cogitate upon the coming elections. Nearly all the Government measures are now before the House, and once the Estimates ara out of the road, the session will, it is probable, last but a short time longer. To-day the committal of the Representation Bill is to be the order of the day, and, when it is moved, Mr. Wood intends to propose an amendment affirming the desirableness of including the Maoris in the population basis. The Premier has announced his intention to take steps to hold an enquiry, with the object of ascertaining the cause by which the train was thrown off the line, near Kaitoke, on Wednesday last. Ie is understood the enquiry will be a public one. The Petitions Committee of the Legislative Council have reported, recommending the petition of John McLean, of Wellington, contractor, to th« favorable consideration of the Government. This afternoon the Attorney-General will move in the Legislative Council for leave to introduce a bill entitled " An Act to amend the law relating to the Practice and Procedure of the Supreme Court of New Zealand." In the House yesterday, Mr. Hutchison asked the Government if they will place a sum on the Estimates sufficient to complete the proper formation of the streets on the reclamed land, Wellington, so as to enable the Corporation to take over the street-i as public streets of the city, and have them thereafter maintained in a safe and fitting state of repair ? Tho Premier informed Mr. Hutchison that there was no necessity for the Corporation to take over the streets, because they were actually vested in the • 'orporation. Before the sale took place, Colonel Whitmore had made a promise that the streets should be kerbed and metalled, and the Kngineer was of opinion that that had bepn fully done. 1 here was, therefore, no claim upon the Government to do more than thi y had done. Mr. Hutchison gave notice that this afternoon he would ask the Government, "If they will explain how, if, as stated by the Promier, the streets on the reclaimed land, Wellington, have been vested in the Corporation, tho Government deal with these streets as seems fit : for example, the Government widened the street along the railway station, and donated one entire street to the Wellington Harbour Board, and they did so without leave asked or obtained from the City Council? " In the Upper House this afternoon, the Hon. Mr. Reynolds is to ask tho Hon. the Attorney-General, " Whether the Government wi 1 favourably consider the appointment, in each centre of population, of unpaid Boards, to act as mediums between employers of labour and those requiring employment ?" The Government have promised to consider the question of facilitating the obtaining of passenger tickets at the railway stations throughout the colony. It will be of interest to tobacconists to know that the Government intend, if possible, to bring in a Bill this session providing for the issue of licenses to vendors of tobacco, cigars, &c. Replying to a question put by Sir. Hurat in the House yesterday, the Colonial Secretary said the Government were favorable to offering a bonus for anything which would advance the interests of the colony. They would, therefore, be favorable to renewing the bonus for the production of iron from the ore as requested by Mr. Hurst. In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. Bowen asked the Government if they intended to make permanent provision for the maintenance of botanical gardens in the colony. Mr. Rolle3ton, in reply, said the Government were of opinion that the maintenance of these gardens, so far as they were recreation grounds, was a matter for the local bodies to deal with. But the Government believed th*» gardens might bo utilised in connection with the fostering of local industries by the introduction of plants and specimens of olives ; and thus people might have an opportunity of seeing and judging of pants suitable for different localities. Mr. K-olle-ton thought the Land Department or some other department should introduce plants from foreign countries, and distribute them. A vote would be brought down for that purpose, when the feeling of the House would be tested upon it. At tho usual weekly meeting of the committee of the Benevolent Institution, held yesterday afternoon, the following members were oresent: — Mr. J. G. Holdsworth (Chairman), Revs. P. Kerrigan, H. Van Staveren, and W. Kirk, Councillors Danks and Allen, and Messrs. J. E. and B. Smith. The proceedings were of an unusually uninteresting and unimportant character, and did not occupy half-an-hour. At the R.M. Court yesterday afternoon, Joseph R. Gordon was brought before Mr. Shaw, charged with forging tho endorsement to a cheque for £) 6s Chief Detective Brown conducted tho prosecution, and Mr. Forwood appeared for the defence. The evidence for the prosecution showed that prisoner went to Mr. Joseph Mandel, tobacconist, Willis-street, and purchased a pipe and some tobacco. He tendered the cheque in question, which was drawn by J. B. Gordon on the Bank of Australasia, Feilding, in favor of George Smith. Prisoner said Gordon was a storekeeper at Feilding, and that he (prisoner) was Smith, tho payee, and was atoreman to Gordon. He endorsed the cheque "G. Smith " in Mandel's pre sence. Prisoner was known as Gordon at Feilding, where he dealt in skins, and had an account at the bank, but only a few shillings to his credit. Mr. Forwood, for the defence, submitted that the endorsement was not the material part of the cheque which induced the prosecutor to cash, and, therefore, that no forgery had been committed. His Worship committed prisoner for trial. A second charge of fa^e pretences, arising out of the same transaction, was withdaawn. George Smith, alias Lee, was then charged with fraudulently obtaining from Asher Asher, Manners-street, one pipe, two signet rings, and money, £3 12s, by means of a valueless cheque drawn for £4< 163. Prisoner was sentenced to six months' hard labor. The annual meeting in connection with the Primitive Methodist Missionary Society was held at the Webb-street Church last night. Mr. Charles Luke presided, and there was a good attendance. '1 he annual report, which was read by the Eev. D. Dutton, showed that the society has 101 ministers in the Australian Colonies, and a large number of agencies in the United States and Canada, together with several missionaries both in Eastern and Western Africa. Ihe income for the past year wa3 .£39,368 17s lid. The report for the New Zealand district showed that considerable progress had been made during the year, both as regards increase of members and building of churches. Suitable addresses were delivered by the Rer. A J. Smith, Mr. W. Luke, and others, and during thoevening an appropriate service of song, entitled " The Gospel Triumphant." was given by the choir in excellent style. The meeting, which was considered of a very satisfactory nature, closed with the usual vote of thanks. A sovereign w<is given in mistake for a shilling 1 at the entertainment which took place last evening under the auspices of St. John's Presbyterian Church. The Academy of Musio will be occupied this evening by " Lyon's Tourists, or Pleasure Party," whose advertisement appears in another column. The Tourißts seem to have elicited much favorable comment on their trip through the South, and as there has been a dearth of amusement of this kind in Wellington for some time past, their advent will doubtless be gladly welcomed. A meeting of the Pearl of Peace Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held last evening, when, after one candidate had been admitted and several others proposed for membership, the following officers were installed: — Bro. W. A. Sparke3, W.C.T. ; Bro. E. C. Eastbrook W.V.T. ; Bro. T. Caulton, W.S. ; Bro. J. Hicks, W.F.S. ; Bro. W. Howden, W.T. ; and Bro. W. Niddin, W M. A meeting of the Sonthern Cross Lodge will be held this evening, when important business will be transacted.

The report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Pollen, Fitzherbert, Gisborne, and Domett pensions, is as follows: — " The Committee expresses its opinion that, although there has been irregularity in the granting of the pensions to Sir William Fitzherbert, and the Hon. Mr. Gisborne, and the Hon. Mr. Pollen, the committee dne3 not consider that the circumstances of the several cases are such as would render it advisable to repudiate liabilities based on the Governor's warrants, and therefor" recommends that all doubts as to the illegality of these pensions should be removed by a special Acr." In committee on the Prison Act Amendment Bill Mr. Hutchison is to move the addition ef the following proviso:—''Provided always that prison labor shall be restricted to out-door and menial labor whereof the acquirement does not involve training or skill. There is nothing further to report at present with regard to the condition of the unfortunate youth, James Jansen, who attempted to commit suicide on Monday afternoon by Bhooting himself with a toy cannon. His condition appears to be much the same as yesterday. A special meeting of the Karori-Makara Highway Board, to opon tenders, was held at the Schoolhouse, Makara, yesterday evening. Present — Messrs. Dowsett (in the chair), Cook, Spiers, Hawkins, Bowler, and j Prendeville (clerk). For rate-collecting, th« following tenders were received : — Jame3 H. Tarr. 4£ per cent ; Thomas Kobinson, 3 per cent. ; Edwin W. Woodhouse, 2£ per cent. Mr. Woodhouse's tender was accepted. For the erection of bridge, the following tenders were received : - Petherick and Co. , J289 18s 6d ; Hopwood and Co., .£6B ; Dryden Bros , j£80 ; J. Mormon, £58 10s ; R. Lyon, £73 15s ; T. Orr, .£69 ; Walker, .£65 ; H. Carter, £G3 193. Mr. Morrison's tender was accepted. A musical treat is promised for to-morrow evening in the concert to be given by the j St. Peter's Choir in aid of the organ fund. Special interest attaches to the ooncert from its being the first yet directed in Wellington by Mr. Hautrie West, the able organist and choirmaster of the church. A very attractive programme has been prepared, including several orchestral pieces by an exceptionally fine band, and some choral selections new to Wellington, as well as a fair sprinkling of old favorites. A crowded house may be expected. An exceedingly pertinent question was asked by Mr. Shaw, R.M., at the conclusion of the silk-smuggling case yesterday afternoon, of Mr. H. D. Bell, the Crown Prosecutor. He enquired the fate of those articles which were confiscated to the Crown in consequence of having been smuggled. Mr. Bell said he understood that forfeited goods of this description were sold by auction, though he had never heard of any such sale having yet taken place. It would be intereating to know the estimated value of the goods now in the possession of the Crown. A meeting of the creditors of John Jackson, of Wellington, bootmaker, was held at 11 o'clock this morning, Mr. S. Stone presiding. The liabilities were stated to be £361 0s 9d, tho chief item being due to Levy's estate (£250 odd) ; and the assets were estimated at £108 Gs lOd, being composed of stock-in-trade (£3B 0s lOd), book debts (£55 6s), and household furniture (£ls). Mr. W. J. Ashton was eleoted creditoi s' trustee. In reference to the recent action for libel, Griffiths v. Johnson, in which the jury gave a v-rdict for plaintiff for £250, tho Marlborough Timps states that Mr. Griffiths has been paid £ 550 in settlement of the action, it is stated, £250 in cash, and two bills of £50 each, Mr. Griffiths having executed a release to Mr. Johnson, and also covenanting not to proceed against or prosecute the writer of the libel. A most successful musical and literary entertainment was given la<-t night in the Bohoolroom attached to St. John's Pre3byterian_ Church, Willis-street, towards the establishment of an organ fund. Long before the commencement of the concert the capacious schoolroom was filled to overflowing, standing room even being scarcely obtainable The chair was occupied by the Rev. J. Paterspn, who, after expressing his satisfaction with the generous assistance thus aff jrded, explained the object of the entertainment. He said it had been felt desirable to replace the organ at present possessed by the chnrch — a sweet-toned American organ — by one worthy of the building, and he had no misgivings as to the manner in which the project would be assisted by the congregation. The concert opened with a pianoforte duet by a lady and gentleman, consisting of Rossini's overture to " L'Jtaliana in Algeri." Songs, choruse3, glees, recitations, &c, followed in pleasing succession, the efforts of the vocalists being well received. Worthy of special mention were the ecot -h song " Wae's me for Prince Charlie," and Schumann's " Die Beiden Grenadiers, " both of which were vociferously encored. The entertainment evidently gave the utmost satisfaction to all present. A concert was given at Makara on Monday night by tho Jocal branch of the I 0.G.T., in aid of the lodge funds. Several songs and recitations were given by onr amateurs, which elicited hearty rounds of applause. A duet by a gentleman and lady was beautifully rendered. " Livingstone's Death " was the principal song, tha audience joining in the chorus. After the concert, dancing was commenced and continued until the small hours of the morning. Amongst other statements recently made by an " unemployed ' petition to Parliament from Oamarn, was one that " some of the petitioners were going about almost naked, while many of their wives and children were ill and could not get medical aid." These unfortunates asked that they should be shipped off to Mr. Proudfoot's works in New South Wale 3 The Government referred the petition to the Borough Council of Oamaru to make inquiry into the case of the petitioners, and this has resulted in a strange exposure, acsording to the North Otago Times. That paper pays : — " Scare ly any of the signatures were those of working men, let alone the unemployed. One was the autograph of a genial wholesale merchant in Tyne-street, who is certainly neither underfed, ill-clothed, nor married, nor, perhaps we may add, likely to enter the blissful state — at least not just yet. Two of the signatures were those of gentlemen who have been dead three years ; one was that of a leading draper in Oamaru, another waa a well-to-do hotelkeeper, one that of a veterinary surgeon, one of a blacksmith, and one of a master saddler (a bachelor) now in England. Certainly none of these gentlemen could justly describe themself as unemployed, nor do we suppose they wonld be eager to do so. The names have evidently been cut from some old memorial on some other subject, and attached to this unemployed petition either by way of hoax or swindle." We learn from the Manawatu Herald that a fine new hotel, oalled tho Commercial Hotel, has been erected at Palmerston, near the railway station, and that Mr. Walkley, of Wellington, enters into possession on the Ist September. In a railway accident on the London, Chatham and Dover railway recently, a boy was killed. There was nothing about him by which he could be identified but a basket containing some pigeons. A message was attached to each of the pigeons, and they were hborated ; this had the desired e^ect of bringing the father to the Crystal Palace Station, where the corpse of tho boy was lying. To-morrow, at 2.30 o'clock, Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald & Co. will hold a sale of town and country properties at their auction rooms, when the lease of the well-known Chamber of Commerce block wtfl be sold, as well as a eecti m in the Taratahi Plain Block, in the estate of E. W. Mills ; also properties in Webb-street, Hawera, and Palmerston, particulars of which appear in our advertising columns. Afterwards they will sell an assortment of camellias, rose 3, fruit trees, and ornamental shrubs, from the nursery of Mr. M'Cardle, catalogues of which can be obtained from the auctioneers. M?s3rs. W. M'Lean & Co. will sell tomorrow, unredeemed pledges, jewellery, furniture. &o. In consequence of the steamer not arriving in time, the sale of oats by Messrs. Croskery, Hasell & Co. has been postponed until 11 o'clock to-morrow. Mr. S. Dickinson, of WiUi3-street (a few doors past the residence of the lata Dr. Harding), advertises that ha repairs sewing machines, guns, locks, musical boxes, Ac., at moderate-prices. Mr. W. C. FitzGerald, Chemist, &c, Manners-street, directs special attention to h's advertisement sotting forth the virtues of the lodised Sarsaparilia prepared, at his establishment.

The new waltz, " Flirtation," has had an enormous run throughout England and America. In New Zealand over 1000 copies have been sold. A third edition haa just been published, and copies may be obtained at Mr. D. Reichardt's MHBio Warehouse, Wellington. — [ADvr.] In consequence of the great rush of customers to the Surplus Stock Sale at James Smith's, Te Abo House, many persons were unable to get their wants so fully supplied as they had intended. To remedy this, a special invitation is hereby given to the citizens of Wellington, tho settlers in the Hutt, Taita, Wairarapa, and other country districts, to visit this sale during the next ten days. As a great many lota must be cleared out before stock-taking, the bargains will be found as great as ever at the Surplus Stock Sale at Te Aro House. — fADVT.I