CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO NEW

D.—No. 23

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leather, and appear equal to the finest kid; they also take the various dyes in a very favourable manner. The various kinds of calf are prepared to the satisfaction of the Government, which has just accepted a tender from the firm for the supply of calf and fancy leathers to the value of nearly £800. The water required is pumped by a small windmill into a tank, which provides the necessary supply. The works are extending, and new pits have just been erected. The number of men now employed in the various departments is twelve, whereof the greater part are foreigners ; and this number will be augmented when the order for the Government is in hand. The following particulars relate to the establishment of Messrs. Eowden Brothers : — The establishment of Messrs. Rowden Brothers is for the purpose of manufacturing galvanized iron. The iron at present is chiefly used for the manufacture of coal-scoops, nails, spikes, buckets, and earth-closets. The price at present of the manufactured article ranges from £30 10s. to £44 per ton. Respecting Mrs. Mealy's establishment — Mrs. Mealy is employed in converting refuse straw into straw-plaits, bonnets, &c. The straw used is that of the red Tuscan wheat and rye, and is shown in various plaits, bleached and unbleached, plain and fanciful, and some interwoven with velvet, for trimmings. Six young persons work with her, who would otherwise have had no employment. This is a most valuable industry, (1) as it utilizes what would otherwise be lost, and (2) as it gives the means of respectable subsistence to precisely the class whom it is most desirable to keep respectably employed in such a place as Melbourne. The following relates to Mr. Hutchison's colonial ovens : — Mr. Hutchison at the present time gives employment to ten hands, who can be considerably increased in number with an increase of capital. The ovens, as constructed appear to be fully equal to those imported ; the price is slightly cheaper, namely, from 345. to £2 10s., with a deduction of 20 per cent, to the trade. The material used is the best pig iron. In concluding, the Board would express generally their approval of the Regulations, and at the same time record their opinion that, if the vote for the year 1865 be continued for the year 1807 —as is most desirable, and better still, doubled in amount —the extent of applications for new industries and manufactures, actually realized and made effective, will probably absorb the whole. Edwd. Black, Jajies G. Eeancis, Secretary. Chairman.

APPENDICES. Appendix A. BOAED APPOINTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY IN" COUNCIL TO CONSIDER CLAIMS FOE ReWAEDS OE Pbemiitms, &c. [Extracted from the Victorian Government Gazette, of 6th October, 1865, 'No. 139.] Promotion of JSTeiv Manufactures and Industries. Tee Governor in Council having appointed the Hon. J. G. Erancis, M.P., Commissioner of Trade and Customs; the Hon. R. S.Anderson, S. H. Bindon, Esq., M.P., James Harrison, Esq., William Lyall, Esq., J. G. Reeves, Esq., J. C. Riddell, Esq., M.P., J. Sherwin, Esq., M.P., J. J. Stutzer, Esq., to be a Board to consider claims for rewards and premiums for new manufactures and industries, in accordance with the Regulations submitted to Parliament on the 12th July last, all persons who may deem themselves entitled to rewards or premiums under the Regulations referred to, are requested to forward their claims to Mr. Edward Black, Secretary to the Board, Custom House, Melbourne, on or before the 15th November next,* after which date none will be received. A copy of the Regulations is attached, to the 4th clause of which the Board desire to direct particular attention. Department of Trade and Customs, Jas. G. Ebancis, Melbourne, sth October, 1865. Chairman of the Board. Regulations for expending the sum of Five Thousand Pounds, voted hy Parliament in the year 18C5 for the Promotion of New Manufactures and Industries. 1. The Governor in Council shall appoint a Board, to whom shall be referred the consideration of all claims for premiums or rewards under the above grant. 2. Such sums as may be recommended by the said Board shall (subject to the approval of the Governor in Council) be paid to the person or company who shall have, since the Ist January, 1864, first successfully established, or may hereafter first successfully establish, in Victoria, any new manufacture or production. 3. Precedence of claim will be given to the following items, and the reward measured by the excellence and extent of the manufacture or article produced : — Woollen Goods. —Blankets, rugs, flannels, cloth, or other woollen fabrics of general use. Papee.—Wrapping, printing, or writing. Glass. —Sheet or plate glass, tumblers, wine glasses, or bottles. Ceockeet. —China, porcelain, or any of the finer classes of earthenware. Leathee.—Eor excellence in the manufacture of leather for other and higher purposes than the sole and kip leather now produced. Olive Oil. —The produce of trees grown in Victoria (the quantity not being less than twenty gallons). Elax. —Not less than one ton, properly prepared for manufacturing purposes.

* Period afterwards extended to Ist Decemher.