KAWAKAWA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9151, 5 September 1888, Page 6

KAWAKAWA.

It is satisfactory to be able to report that the heavy fall of rain and the very high and severe floods consequent have not affected the work* ings of our one great industry, the Bay of Islands Coal Company. After all this downpour, I visited the mines yesterday, and was glad to see all in full working order, and the output of coal more than equal to the demand, although it was quite up to mark, and as constant as usual. The pump and the dam still work much in unison. Although our one great industry thrives apace, yet there seems a great demand for more, and a universal feeling is abroad that others might be taken in hand in this country with considerable advantage to the inhabitants and the movers therein. Some time since a gentleman of considerable property, influence, and ability in the Okaihau district, wrote an interesting letter on the subject of preserving and tinning meat instead of exporting it at a loss,and risking a large quantity of our stock every year. Months ago it was proposed to start a company for the curing and tinning of fish that abound in the Bay of Rupier and elsewhere along our coast, but it came to nothing, although many inducements were held forth by Mr. Moody, the proprietor of a large island in the entrance of the Bay, and admirably suited for such an establishment. The proposition started by one of our country landowners seems likely to be taken in hand, and the local press have taken up the matter energetically. It appears that although there are several slaughter-yards and butchering establishments in the county, and two busy retail shops in Kawakawa, still there are large flocks of sheep and droves of cattle sent from this and neighbouring counties to the Auckland market at a risk, and sometimes even at a loss. In addition to this constant and regular supply from "the local butchers, there is a large amount of imported tinned meat, and from the import statements it is shown that on an average there are no less than three tons of preserved beef and mutton landed at the port of Russell and Opua every week, or over one hundred and fifty tons in the year. This very large consumption is principally used on the gumfields, where there is a large population. It is, therefore, of very ijreat importance that this matter should be fully known, and ventilated, and hence I persume to note the subject, in the hope that it may induce some capitalists to start the meat preserving industry in the Bay of Islands, for not only would there be a great local demand for preserved and tinned meats, but several other industries would grow around such an establishment, and employment be given to hundreds. Some time back I read an account of an industry to be started north of Auckland—the making of paper from the kahikatea timber— and that an agent and expert was sent round through the northern counties to seek out a good locality for such a manufactory. Now, as there is no place in the colony where there is greater abundance of this timber than at the .bay of Islands, and even around Kawakawa large quantities are to be found, what better site could be found than Kawakawa. i With fuel at hand and cheap power, a railway to a port second to none in New Zealand there could not be found in the whole colony a situation more suitable and affording greater advantages for this double industry? {Own Correspondent.]