IX—No. 23.

6

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO NEW

The Board then proceeded to the consideration of the remaining applications, and resolved that the manufactures and industries of the following applicants were worthy of rewards or premiums : — Mr. J. Miller.—Eope. Mr. J. Politz. —Cigars from Colonial leaf. Messrs. Uric, Munn, and Young.-—Starch and Maizena. Mr. J. Bosisto.—Essential oil from the " Eucalyptus odorata." Mr. P. Fordhan. —Oilman's Stores. Mr. W. R. Blazey. —Pianos from Colonial "Woods. Mr. "W. Sloggatt. —Thumb, Prussian, and Ultramarine Blue. Messrs. Boardman and Slater. —Cultivation of Peppermint, Lavender and Hoses for Distillation. Mr. J. Zevenboom.—Brushware. The further consideration of other claims was postponed in the absence of samples and information, which were requested to be furnished at next meeting. On the 21st December another meeting was held, when it was resolved that the white soft-soap, manufactured by Messrs. Hood and Co., and the soda crystals, made by Messrs. Clarke, Hoffman, and Co., were worthy of rewards or premiums. The Board then proceeded to the consideration of the premiums to be awarded to the successful applicants, and they resolved that the manufactures and industries should be divided into three classes —those of the first class to receive a premium of £100, those of the second of £50, and those of the third of £25. After careful examination into the comparative merit and public utility of the respective manufactures which the Board had decided were worthy of premiums, it was agreed that the manufactures and industries of Messrs. J. Miller, J. Politz, and Uric, Munn, and Young, should be placed in the first class ; those of Messrs. Eordham, Clarke, Hoffmann and Co., Hood and Co., and Bosisto, in the second ; and those of Messrs. W. E. Blazey, "W. Sloggatt, Boardman and Slater, and J. Zevenboom, in the third. The Board would here exjiress their regret that no claims have been substantiated for any of the ai'ticles specified in the third clause of the regulations, and to which it was provided that precedence should bo given. Under these circumstances, they are of opinion that the intentions of Parliament would be best promoted by disposing of only a small portion of the £5,000 granted for this year; and it is this consideration that has led them respectfully to submit, for the approval of His Excellency in Council, that only the rewards specified, amounting in all to the sum of £600, should be awarded to the manufactures and industries before enumerated, as being of comparatively minor importance. They would, however, suggest respectfully to the Government, that a similar amount to that granted for the present year should be placed upon the additional estimates for 1865, as there is reason to believe that several undertakings of great promise, calculated to afford a large amount of employment, and to be of great service to the community at large, will be successfully established during the ensuing year. In support of this view the Board may be permitted to remark that it was with great regret that they felt compelled to disallow several of the applications submitted to them on account of the incompleteness of the undertakings. In particular they would mention the claims of the following applicants: —■ Mr. Thomas Kenny. —This gentleman has leased the premises known as Dight's Mill, and has ordered the requisite machinery for the manufacture of paper from England. Messrs. Oasassa, Ravenna, fy Co. —This firm has imported a quantity of a peculiar description of wheat, as the best material from which the articles they manufacture are made. This wheat is now sown in various localities in the Colony, and, it is stated, could not have been procured here. Mr. A. Martelli. —Mr. Martelli has imported hemp seed and Eussian wheat; and seven-years-old properly grafted mulberry trees from Italy, with a view to sericulture. The Board have become aware that the narrow limits of the present vote have prevented applications to promote the development of industries or productions which it is most desirable should be early established in this Colony. By order of the Board. Chalonee Geetille, Secretary.

Paper. Macaroni and Vermicelli. Russian Hemp—Mulberries.

Enclosure 3 in No. 2. Additional Report of Board appointed to consider claims for Rewards or Premiums for New Manufactures and Industries. Offices, Custom House, Melbourne, 4(;h September, 1866. The Board appointed by the Governor in Council, on the 2nd October, 1865, to consider claims for rewards or premiums for the promotion of new manufactures and industries, in accordance with the Regulations submitted to Parliament on the 12th of the previous i uly, iiave the honor to submit the following Report in addition to that furnished on the 19th June last: — It will be noticed, on reference to the Eeport alluded to, that an award of £200 was made to Mr. D. McAndrew, of Drysdale, conditionally on his producing one ton of flax before the 31st August. Although more time was actually allowed to Mr. McAndrew than he had applied for to bring forward the quantity named, it came to the knowledge of the Board last month that, owing to circumstances over which he had no control, he would be unable to fulfil the condition specified. As Mr. McAndrew would unquestionably have obtained a premium if he had not undertaken to produce a ton of flax, as mentioned in the 3rd clause of the [Regulations, the Board considered that a hardship would be inflicted if he received no recognition at their hands, especially as to his enterprise in establishing steam machinery for the preparation of flax is attributable the large breadth of flax-seed now sown in the neighbourhood of his mill. A special meeting of the Board was therefore held, on the 31st ultimo, to