LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IV, 29 November 1845, Page 154

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Tanning. — We visited a few days since the workshop of Mr. Wales Light band, who is engaged in tanning and dressing leather, and were agreeably surprised to find the progress he has made. We were shown skins of various kinds, calf, kid, dog, sheep, and hide leather, all dressed remarkably well ; and from inquiry we have since made, we learn that this leather is no way inferior to the best English, and very superior to any imported from the neighbouring colonies. None of the leather dressed in New South Wales or Van Dieineu's Land is capable of resisting water; but the leather made by Mr. Lightband possesses this quality in an eminent degree. We were also shown a (ew skins of parchment, equal to any we ever saw. The bark used in tanning is the black birch ; Mr. Lightband has tried the hinau, but did not find it succeed so well. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Lightband for his perseverance. Without iui.ds or assistance, he has made numerous experiments, and proved tli: qualities of all the materials obtainable in the settlement requisite for the tanning and dressing of leather; and alum and salt are the only ingredients with which he has not supplied himself. There is one disadvantage, however, under which he labours, and which it is not in his power to remedy ; and that is, the careless manner in which animals of all kinds are skinned here. We suppose this originated from a feeling that skins were of no value, and not worth the care bestowed on them where they can be turned to account ; but now that there is demand for all which can be obtained, we hope more care will be taken of them. The number of cattle and sheep slaughtered in this settlement | is at present inadequate to supply ourselves wholly with leather ; but the quantity would be greatly augmented if the skins of all animals were preserved which die from casualties, bullocks by eating tutu, calves which have been slipped, young kids, &c, and we might see a useful branch of trade flourishing here, and keep within the colony a considerable sum of money which at present is sent to England or the other colonies. — We also saw the other day several pair of shoes, made from leather tanned at Pitfure. Mr. M'Rae has adopted the plan long prevalent in the remote parts of Scotland, and perhaps continued there to this day, of making the farm supply the greater part of the clothing worn by its occupants. This leather also resists water we 1 1 . — Communicated.

Claringbold and Collier were committed on Tuesday last to take their trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court for running away with the lugger Hydrus. These men were apprehended at Auckland, where the lugger was taken, and brought down i:: the Government brig. Rutter, the supercargo, who w;is also at Auckland, decamped on hearing of the arrest of his associates, but it is hoped he also may be apprehended before leaving the colony.

Saw-Mill. — At the bottom of Glen Iti, a man named fiagent erected a saw-mill

upwards of two years since, td which he la it | year added a small flour-mill. He is now engaged in making considerable additions and improvements to the former, having ju st completed a most excellent breast-wheel (his former one being too small), and fixed some upright saws. He also, contemplat >s adding considerably to his flour-mill, ly getting out a pair of large stones from granit e, of which there is some very excellent in the neighbourhood. This man's perseverance well entitles him to the reward which awaits his labours, and for which he appears contented to wait with cheerfulness.