Hawke's Bay Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1868. OUR INDUSTRIES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 938, 28 April 1868, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1868. OUR INDUSTRIES.

Hawke's Bay has now a Boiling-down establishment in full working order, and experience has shewn that it is eminently calculated to effect the object iv view— that of making convertible, what for some time back has been inconvertible, the immense surplus flocks of the district. At this moment a considerable amount of mouey is in circulation, which, biit for 'the operations of this company, would have been locked up. As our readers are aware, it is contemplated to add still further to the industrial nature of the estabiishmeut,'by the addition of works for the manufacture of soap and candles, as well as a fellmongery branch, rendered necessary by the rapid accumulation of sheep skins. Nor this is the only "industry" which is being developed in the same locality, for, a few hundred yards further on , on the other side of the road, is the Steam Saw Mill, the product of which has already entered largely into general use, and been the means of keeping in the province a large amount of cash which, otherwise, would have found its way to Auckland. One thing, however, is to be remarked in connectiou with this — that no effort is being put forth, either by the Government or private individuals, to replace by planting the several " bushes" which are rapidly disappearing. Our breweries claim a passing notice at our hands — one in Napier and one at Meanee. The former does a very large business, and the proprietors are now offering seed barley, as well as guaranteeing a good price for the crop, to all who choose to grow it. Bailey promises to be a favorite cereal amongst our small farmers, it heiug one involving comparatively little labour, and always commanding a good price. We should be glad too to hear that some enterprising individual was about to try the growth of hops. The venture would be somewhat precarious for the first attempt, but, in the long run, nothing would pay better. In Nelson, the growth of the hop has been a great success ; why not here? A second Boiling-down company (iv reality, we believe, the one originally mooted) is about to start operations. The site of their buildings will be the Meauee river, and their machinery has been on haud for some time, having been imported from Melbourne. We hope some day, and that not far distant, to see another company started — for the manufacture of woollen goods. Why a district which produces such large quantities of wool should have to send it home in a raw, and then import it in a manufactured state, is a question not easily answered. All that is wanted is capital. The necessary enterprise and energy are preseut, otherwise the large establishment on the Ngaruroro river, to which we have already referred, would not now be in full operation. This industry is oue that has long flourished in Nelson ; and, more recently, it has been started on a large scale iv Geeloug, Victoria. Why not in Napier ?