Colonial Industries.

Otago Witness, Issue 1422, 22 February 1879, Page 8

Colonial Industries.

THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES OF THE FUTURE.

A lively interest has always been manifested, both by the Government and people of this Colony, in the establishment of manufaoturing industries, and the Government Blue books bear witness to the continued efforts made by the Legislature to obtain and publish all available information respecting those industries most likely to succeed in this country ; while encouragement, in the shape of liberal bonuses, has for Beveral years been offered to those who undertake the introduction of new manufactures* Although a large number of manu. f aoture3 are now carried on successfully, and some of these on a large scale, still, considering the advantages afforded by the climate and natural resources of the country, as well as the assistance promised by the Govern aaent, it is matter of surprise tbab more articles of domestic manufacture are not found in our markets. That New Zealand is destined to become a vast manufacturing country it is impossible to doubt, and it requires no great stretch of imagination to conceive her within the next hundred years occupying in the Southern Hemisphere a position analogous to that filled by Britain at present, and even com., peting with her in markets now almost exolusively her own— namely, those of Australia, India, China, and South America. With a climate in many respects superior to that of the Mother Country, New Zealand will become tbe home of the hardy, energetic race without which no country, no matter how great its resources, can ever become pre-eminent in manufacturing. A warm climate is always enervating, and therefore impairs the efficiency of the workmen, while it induces habits of life that render them less fitted for hard and continuous labour. For this reason, we believe that in the race for manufacturing supremacy this country will ultimately outstrip the whole of the Australian Colonies. As yet, the effects of the high temperature prevailing inAustralia have not made appreciat le impression on the robust Anglo-Saxon constitution, but in time it cannot fail to leave its mark. We do not mean tqat Australians will fail as manufacturers, but we believe they, will not excel in those arts which have made England famous, namely, as metal-workers and che> mical manufacturers. Comparing, too, our natural resources with those of other countries, we have no reason to be disappointed, for, although we may be le 83 richly endowed in this respect than England, siill we have vast supplies. We have not, probably, mineral deposits to compare with the Welsh or Northumbrian coalfields, or the iron mines of Cleveland and Staffordshire; but it is well known that we possess sufficient of these useful minerals to fast for centuries, and as prospecting proceeds it is not altogether impossible that our wealth in them may be found to be much under-estimated. Of other minerals we possess abundance. Of the most precious mineral— gold, we need not speak ; already millions of pounds' worth have been exported, and now th»t special attention is being devoted to quartz-reefing, an increase will ere long be apparent in the annual production. Coming next to silvtr, that deposits of that ore exist hss been proved, although a paying lode has not as yet been discovered. Copper ore is met with in many localities, and we doubt not that ere long profitable mines will be opened up. Although copper is one of the most abundant and widely distributed of metals, the minerals holding it often contain too email a quantity to adroit of its proper extraction, while others are so poor in copper as not to admit of their classification as ores of copper. From this cause many supposed discoveries of copper ore have proved illusory. Just now considerable attention i 3 directed to the operations of the D'Urville Island and Dusky Sound Copper-mining Companies' operations, and a few weeks will determine the value of these properties. That they may fulfil the hopes of the proprietors is sincerely to be desired. Tin, lead, and mercury ores have been found in small quantities, but in no case case has a well- denned lode been met with, although there is every reason to believe that these minerals all occur in quantity on the west coast of Otago. Antimony is found largely deposited in several localities, and a small amount of ore has been shipped Home. Recently we heard that black sulphuret of antimony in great quantities had been disdipcovcred near Hiudon, and that a supply of lignite was available in the neighbourhood; bo that when the means of transport is improved the ore, or a res;ulus wnich can be easily prepared, will no doubt be brought to market in quantity. Tbe former is worth from £10 to £15 per ton in England, and the latter from £45 to £55. Manganese also takes its place among our exports. Turning to other mineral productions, we find we are plentifully supplied with the raw materials used in glass and porcelain making, such as quartz, kaolin, and gypsum, while most of the chemicals required in the manufacture of the former will be produced in the Colony at no distant date. Chemical manufacturing has not yet been established, but before long we believe a beginning will be made. Many of the crude materials necessary are abundant, or will result as bye-products in other manufactures. Sulphuric acid, which is the starting-point of chemical manufacture, and which has besn said to stand in the same relationship to that industry as iron does to mechanical engineering, can be as cheaply made here as in England, as native sulphur is found in large quantities, while Chili saltpetre can be imported at a cheap rate. Potash may be obtained from several sources, and should the making of beetroot sugar be successfully introduced, a considerable quantity of this valuable salt will result as a bye-product. It may not be uninteresting to ,note that an enormous quantity of potash salts is obtained from wool. The sheep, while feeding, absorb a portion of the potash present in the grass, which, passing into the blood and tissue, ib sweated through the skin and deposited on the wool. On the Continent this potash is recovered from the wash water of the wool ; and to show the extent of this trade, we may mention Jhaf; af; pne centre of the

woollen manufacture in Franoe, potash to the value of from £80,000 to £90,000 is annually recovered from about 60,000,000 pounds of woo], the produce of nearly 7,000,000 sheep. From the wash-water other valuable products are derived, notably illuminating gas, many mills being; lighted from this source. We believe we are not far from the mark in estimating the value of the potash salts and other products present m the wool exported from this Colony at about a quarter of a million sterling annually. Soda ash and crystals are largely imported, but aa soon as the making of sulphuric acid is established, the manufacture of these and other valuable chemical products will become possible, as well as that most important industry in an agricultural country— the preparation of artificial manures. Without Bulphuric acid, too, the valuable mineral oil welis of the North Island are practically valueless, this acid being one of the principal agents used in the purification of petroleum. Talking of mineral oil, we are not aware if the brown coala of Ofcago have ever been, tested as to their suitability for the production of paraffin or paraffin oil. The extraction of these substances from brown coal is an important industry in Germany, the products of the manufacture being hard paraffin suit' able for candle-making, soft paraffin used in the making of stearine candles, paraffin oil for illuminating purposes, and lubricating oil. The capabilities of cur soil in regard to the growth of vegetable products are too well known to remark on. Nevertheless we doubt not that to the crops already cultivated several new ones will be added. Sugar beet will probably be tried shortly, although we are not over-sanguine of the success of the manufacture of sugar at present. Several parts of the Colony are admirably adapted for the cultivation of tobacco, and on a small scale a commencement has been made 111 this industry. The manufacture of starch is, we are surprised, not carried on, as it is a trade we are sure would be found profitable, the raw materials required, usually wheat or potatoes, being cheaper here than at Home. In the industrial application of animal substances considerable progress has been made— wool spinning and weaving, tanning, glue-boiling, and meat-preserving all being earned on more or less extensively. There are, however, in this department still several trades that will ultimately be introduced. It will thus be seen how little real progress has as yet; been made in manufacturing industries in this Colony— by manufacturing industries we mean "that department of labour the object of which is to prepare and render fit for use the raw materials yielded by Nature." The only metallurgical operation conducted is that of the extraction of gold from quartz. The only chemical ones are gas making, soap-boiling, and stearine candle making. In tbe application of vegetable substances we have brewing, papermaking, and flax. dressing; while, as we have seen, the chief industries are devoted to the use of animal substances. How great a field, then, is before the manufacturer ! In almost every department there is an opening for him. Want of knowledge and skill no doubt hinders many from entering upon a manufacturing business. To meet the want of knowledge in some degree, we have arranged to publish a few short papers descriptive of the methods and processes employed in some of the more interesting and important arts and manufacture?. That such articles will prove generally interesting we are confident. From the prominence which is given in the newspapers to every improvement in machinery or methods of manufacture, and the minuteness with which works in operation in our midst are described, it is evident that there is an earnest desire to know more about theae matters. THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. The Committee appointed by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce on Monday last as a local committee to co-operate with the Royal Commissioners for the International Exhibition, to be held at Sydney in Augußt next, met on Thursday, the 13th, in Mr J. ?. Webb's office. Mr L. O. Beal presided. In the absenceof the promised regulations, forms of application for space, &c, it was deemed desirable to adjourn until communication had been opened with the Commissioners. This was done after the secretary (Mr Webb) had been instructed to communicate with the mayors of the country townships to invite their co-operation. Shortly after the adjournment the Chairman of the Chamber rectiyed the following letter, enclosing the regulations :— Wellington, Bth February, 1879. Sir,— Referring to the letter addressed to you by the Colonial Secretary, stating that it would be very gratifying to the Government if the Council over which you preside would undertake to act as a local committee in concert with the Royal Commission, which has been appointed for the purpose of receiving: and arranging articles intended for exposition at the approaching International Kxhibitin», to be held in Sydney, and enclosing copies of the N. Z Gazetto containing the programme of the Exhibition, and conditions under which artlcle4 will be received and exhibited,—l am directed by the Commissioners to inform you that the programme yO u have received U now cancelled. and pending the receipt of the newly issued schedule of articles to be received for exhibition, fco forward you 20 copies of the Sydney Mail of the 18th January last, giving the latest particulars, and to request that you will kindly have the information distributed in your district for the guidance of propoßinpr j exhibitors. I am also directed to enclose "proof" copies of the general regulations, which will mo«t probably be issued by tl'eConimt I 'eConimi s Eionershere,providing they do not conflict with the conditions in the mw programme, whioh is expected very shortly, and to slate that any change will be at once communicated to you. The Commissioners will be glad to learn what steps may have already been taken in your district in connection with exhibition work, and to request that you would kindly uso every exertion in your power to ! push forward as much as possible— l am, &c, Charles Calms, Secretary. The following is a copy of the General Regulations :—: — 1. All exhibits must he forw arded to tho Commissioners at Wellington, through the local committees before the 2 Local emmittees will take steps to ensure that collections from their respective districts shall reach Wellington by that dato. 3 Each exhibU must be accompanied by two copies of full, written descriptions, stating value ; and by the name and addrcßß of the exhibitor in full ; and forms of application for space and for catalogue information will be supplied. 4. If exhibits are not. intended for competition, it must be so stated by the exhibitor. 5. If more than one exhibit is packed in a case, it will be advisable to distinguish each exhibit by a ecrial nuinbe/. 6. Each package must have affixed to it a label or Ida k showing the province ftom which it come?, and t.ho serial number of tho piu.kp.ge.

7 AU expenses of tinwporl, &i)., after exhibits are received by local committees, will be '.undertiikon by the Commissioners ; but all expenses Jup to the time

of their reception by local committees will have to be defrayed by such committees or by the exhibitow. 8. The collections sent frosfl New Zealand will be confined, as closely as possible, to the raw products of the country, and articles manufactured from them. The exhibition of miscellaneous articles, unless illustrating the history of the country or its scenery, will "°9 It isv°ery Bnecessary8 necessary to insure that nothing is exhibited which docs not excel in quality. Exhibitor*, especially of woo), Bhould theiefore be very careful m their 1 election of soecimens. 10. The principal articles tho collection of which the Commissioners would urge are as follow- (The maximum and minimum quantities which will be received are alw given, where limit is necessary) :- (1) Gold. (2 ) Grain— l bushel. £3.) Wool-lib to 61b, fleeces, or lolb to 601b scoured. . , (4 ) Coal.- Sections of seams and sample of; (5.) Timber -Series of uniform samples only SecX ' flow with the bark on and on y half the face palishad, the other half being left in its natural state. Specimens to be not longer than three feet. except as in the case of samples illustrative of the extreme growth to which particular trees attain. . „„. . , (6\ Flax - Dressed fibre, m 601b bales. # ltopo, and other manufactured articles. # (7). KAuri Gum - Maximum, 60ib, minimum, 301b This is much used, »nd a carefully-made collection would be of importance to the Colony. (8 ) Tanning barks. Leather. Dyes. (9.) Preserved Meat— Maximum, 601b; minimum, (10.) Wine, Beer, and Spirits-Tn bottle-Maximum, 2 gallons. Beer, in wood-maximum, 18 (11 ) Tobacco Leaf and Cigars-Maximum, 101b; minimum leaf, 5 b : ciears, lib. (12 ) Mineral Waters -Maximum, half gallon. 85 SK?i those illustrative of New ( } Sand scenery and natural history; plane, (150 Mfscehtteous Articles-Only such as illustrate the history of tho country or its inhabitants. | 11 If such specimens of the raw products of the Colony as are enumerated above are not freely given the Commissioners will take into favourable consideration any suctions mado by local committees as to th 12i The Commissioners will use every endeavour to provide against the loss or damage of the collection*, which will be duly insured, but they will not hold themselves or the Government responsible for an i3 d Any g ex°h£' not absolute given to or bought by the Commissioners (uulesi the owners expresJy desire that they be disposed of at Sydney) will be returned to the 'ocil committees at the expense of the Commiss'onera, who, however, will not be responsible f'U- any damage or loss. 14. Local committees will, at their discretion, accept articles for exhibifon, subject to fiinl revision by the Commissioners, as space for exhibition is limited. ... . . 15. Local committees aTe recommended to appoint sub-committee? to assist them in seeing that none but first-rate specimens of raw products are forwarded to Wellington.

An advertisement appears in another column requesting intending exhibitors to communi. cate with Mr Webb.