THE The Thames Advertiser MONDAY, JUNE 23, 1879.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3348, 23 June 1879, Page 2

THE The Thames Advertiser MONDAY, JUNE 23, 1879.

We learn that a number of gentlemen interested in the welfare of the district intend to establish a Railway Waggon Factory at the Thames if the Government guarantee them an order for one hundred waggons equal to the best and most serviceable now in use on New Zealand Railways. It will be remembered that a lew months ago the Government gave an order for upwards of four hundred of these waggons to Guthrie and Larnach's Carriage Factory in Dunedinonthe ground that it was advisable to encourage the manufacture of railway material of every description in the colony if the same could be produced equal in quality out of the hands of local manufacturers, and as near as possible at the same price as the imported article could be landed at the port of destination. It appears that a few gentlemen practically acquainted with the details of carriage and waggon factories, and interested in promoting local industries at the Thames, conceived the idea of establishing works here for the production of waggons, and intend to ask the Government for an order to encourage them to expend their capital in the erection of the necessary plant, feeling confident that when once the works are established it will be found a remunerative (Undertaking, and one that will employ a large number of hands to maintain, as additional orders are received. All the material, except wheels, axles and boxes (of wrought iron) could be obtained on the spot, and these requisites are always imported from the works at home, where they are a specialty, and can be turned out cheaper and more durable than elsewhere. The Hon. J. Macandrew, the Minister for Public Works, was waited upon in Wellington by Mr Wm. Sims, of this place, and promised his support and assistance in the matter, supplying Mr Sims with sets of plana of the wagons now most commonly in use on New Zealand Railways. The Hon. the Native Minister has likewise undertaken to support the establish ment of such an industry at the Thames, feeling persuaded that it will be found most useful in furthering the interests of the place, and afford employment to a largo number now dependent upon less remunerative undertakings. The wagons are intended for any part of New Zealand, and for that purpose will be manufactured in parts aud shipped to the nearest port to the line for.which they are required. If the Thames Valley line should ever become an established fact, large numbers will be required on the spot, and if the line should be continued through the King country to New Plymouth, the Thames: will still have a monopoly of the supply from the facility with which they can be turned out of a local establishment, ; efficiently and economically managed.' These waggons cost £100 each, and the guarantee asked for by the promoters is an; order for one hundred equal to- <£10,000.' This guarantee would enable them to send for the necessary material and make preparations for establishing the industry at once, leaving.future orders and: the facilities for competition to make the j speculation highly successful. We wish the promoters success, because a few such industries would have a ; wonderful influence on the future of the place. The greatest drawback hitherto has been our entire dependence upon one industry, failing which at any time our population has had no alternative except that of seeking fresh fields for their labour and capital, and the. result has been a periodical exodus of the bone and sinew of the district in consequence, A few such industries would soon place us in a position of greater independence, and render us less likely to be affected by the occasional depression of our staple industry.