THE SILK INDUSTRY. AN EXPERIMENT WITH INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1994, 12 May 1892, Page 33

THE SILK INDUSTRY. AN EXPERIMENT WITH INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

A Wellington correspondent of tho Auckland Herald writes : — " During a conversation as tothe general progress of the colony the Hon. Mr Ballance said : — ' As to the north of Auckland, you are aware that several attempts have been made to establish the silk industry there. Those attempts were but partially successful, owing to the fact, apparently, that too much dependence was placed upon the energies of isolated groups of people who were to employ their children in rearing the silkworms, andfor want of the organisation necessary to try 'the experiment upon a scale that would be profitable. As to the production of the silk itself it never extended beyond specimens, but the quality of what was produced gave every satisfactien. Mr Ferderli, Herr Schott, and others made experiments under former Government auspices, but in every case the complaint in the end came to this, that families and children scattered over a wide area could not bo got to concentrate their interest in the specific results aimed at by the Government for the time being. Some got tired and gave up their interest iv the matter altogether, others set about the work they had undertaken in a per functory way. There was no power, to compel them to continue. In that way the attempts made had little results ; nevertheless it appears to me that the industry if it could b* established upon anything like a satisfactory footing, is capable of a development of the greatest importance as one of the prospective staples of the colony. It is at this point the real interest in the question arises, at all events the Government have resolved to make another attempt which will be attended with scarcely any cost, and which may be attended with important, although subsidiary, benefits to a portion of tho Northern population, and which if ultimately successful will contribute greatly to the future wealth of the colony. I have spoken to the Minister of Lands upon the subject, and he agrees with me that the experiment I propose is well worth a trial. What I suggest is this: We have an agricultural farm at Whangarei. If this ground were planted with the mulberry, most suitable to the climate, the food for silkworms would be obtainable in a short time. Instructions have been given for that purpose, and the trees, I believe, are already planted. When sufficient food of the right sort can be procured iv requisite quantity we propose to draft children from the industrial schools of the colony to this new industrial institution to have them instructed in the treatment of silkworms, and under a properly qualified expert to have them made familiar with all the processes connected with the production of a silk crop. At present the liability of the colony for the maintenance of these industrial schools is very considerable. There must be a large number of children unfitted for the physical effort necessary to give them some trade, but in any case a great number of the children in industrial schools can be employed with benefit to themselves and possibly profit to the colony upon an industry of this kind. The certain result would be at all events to reduce to some extent the cost of the maintenance of these children, at the same time that valuable instruction would be given to them by which they would become producers of material wealth for the country. Their work would be guided by a proficient expert, and at the same time the proper discipline of an industrial school would be maintained. As yet it is impossible to go into the details. We ~loqk* at the matter now as an experiment to be undertaken under favourable conditions. Success, of course, may be deferred or diverted, but as- the cost is small and the possibilities great and the probabilities hopeful, the venture is not without a reasonable promise of realising all. that can be expected from it, if not immediately, in the near future."

In future the officers and crew of the Hinemoa are to wear a distinctive uniform.

The charge against Captain Romeril, of the steamer Kahu, of alleged cruelty to sheep through overloading, which occupied the R.M. Court at Christchurch all Friday, was dismissed, each party to pay costs. The evidence for the defence showed that although 850 seeep were stated on the Customs manifest, only 685 sheep were actually shipped, and the number lost was due to the weather, and not to too close packing.