Hawkes Bay Herald TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1867. LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 866, 13 August 1867, Page 2

Hawkes Bay Herald TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1867. LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

A few days ago, travelling from Napier to Havelook— in which direction we had not been for some months— we were struck by more than one sign of improvement. Crossing the fine bridge over the Waitangi, which, having been greatly lengthened, may. be said to be almost a new structure, we came upon a considerable length of road covered with new metal, reaching nearly to the Ngarururo Bridge. Crossing the latter — a work which we never look at without a feeling of pride and admiration— we entered ihe embryo township of West Clive, whioh boasts a very commodious Hotel, recently opened by the Messrs. Caldwell, the Junction Store (kept by Mr. Bray,) and various other buildings. We observed several paddocks being laid down in grass and other indications of . progress, and should judge from the situation of this township, that it will rise in importance.

Messrs. Caldwells' house stands at the junction of two highways—one, the road leading to Clive, which has been lately metalled ; the other, the main road to the interior, which, strange to say, is as yet innocent of anything in the shape of metal, and is, for some three or four miles, about as rough as can well be conceived. A mile or more before reaching the Big Bush, it is in a dreadful state— full of deep ruts, and passable by a vehicle only at the slowest possible pace. On arriving within a short distance of the Bush, we were struck by the appearance of what seemed a goodly sized village, at a place where, assuredly, no house was wont to be seen. On arriving at the spot, abreast of the; Bush, we found some three or four weather board cottages in course of erection —being, we presume, for the accommodation of the owner of the Saw Mill which stands in the rear, and the men in his employment. The houses themselves are riot without indications of taste, and will, we hope, soon be surrounded with gardens. They have the great merit in our eyes of being built entirely of material grown or manufactured in Hawke's Bay— the nails employed in the building being probably the only exception. In more than one paper of late, we have referred to the growth of new industries in Napier and its vicinity. Unfortunately these, as yet, are few in number and of comparatively limited extent, for the public, with siugular blindness to their own interests, are slow to perceive the advantages of local production, in opposition to the common practice of sending money out of the province for every article of consumption. Not the least in importance of our local industries is the one to which our attention was directed on the. occasion we have referred to-the Steam Saw Mill in the Big Bush. .

This establishment (which we took the opportunity of inspecting) was formed some months ago by Mr. Oasbmore, an arrival' from Auckland, who has leased the Bush from the native owners. The engine, which is of colonial manufacture— -Vicary and Masefield being the makers — works up to 20 horse power ; and the machinery as a whole seems very efficient. A planing machine is shortly expected, which will enable the proprietor to supply tongued and grooved boards, an article much wanted. The logs are brought from the Bush to the Mill by a simply constructed tramway, which is extended further in as occasion requires. By means of various appliances the heavy timber is handled with great ease; and the nicety and rapidity with which a log is sawn into boards is a sight well worth seeing. Boards and scantling are supplied from the "Mill at 9s. per 100, and can be carted to town for about Is. 6d. more. It is said that this timber can tfe seasoned sufficiently for common use in a very short time ; and its whiteness renders it very suitable for such purposes as flooring and lining.

A' good many orders have been, executed by the proprietor, as may be seen from the perceptible thinning of the trees ; and we ore glad of it. We should like, indeed, to see local timber brought into more general use. The article itself looks well and is said to be serviceable. No part of the money leaves the province ; it all goes in wages, rent, and other expenses ; and this is a consideration the importance of which must daily force itself upon public attention.: We should be glad to see something done to the road, as a proof of a desire on the part of the Government to foster and encourage this and similar enterprising attempts.: What the colony must aim at in future is self-reliance ; self-reliance in peaceful pursuits no less than in those of war ; and the Government should ever be ready to watch indication* of individual enterprise, with the view of doing what in it lies to facilitate their development.