H.—No. 8,

REPORT OP JOINT COMMITTEE

22

tonnage, 300 ; horse-power, 60 ; maximum draft, 8 feet; length, 150 feet; rig, three lower masts (only), with fore-and-aft sails ; fitted with tanks for water ballast. I consider that a vessel of this class, plainly fitted, would cost about £7,000; working expenses, about £4,000 per annum, including coal; and capable of delivering throughout the Colony of New Zealand about 8,000 tons coal per annum. To this might be added 3,000 tons return cargoes, which would make a total of 11,000, say, at 10s. per ton would be £5,500 ; estimated profit, £1,500. The profits, however, could be considerably increased by giving the vessels despatch in loading and discharging. In the event of a Company being formed for the purchase of vessels for the coal trade, such as those described, I would suggest that such Company be subsidized by the Government for a few years, binding the Company at the same time to retain such vessels in the trade as would keep the mine constantly at work. Liberality on the part of the Government at the commencement of such an undertaking, cannot fail to prove profitable to the Colony in a very few years. I have, &c, D. Mclntyre, Master Mariner. P.S. If required, I will gladly afford the Committee all further information I can on the subject.—D. Mel. SERICULTURE. Mr. T. C. Batcheloe to the Colonial Industries Committee. Gentlemen, — Nelson, 20th July, 1872. The interest taken by you in sericulture, and your repeated visits during the past summer, has induced me to submit to you the following remarks, as they may be of interest to those persons who have not had the opportunity of seeing for themselves. It was not my intention of raising any silkworms last season, but rather to more fully attend to the culture of the trees. On the other hand, a number of persons recommended me to proceed as far as I reasonably could, for many w rere anxious to learn as to the simplifying of the process of the silkworm when about forming its cocoon. I accordingly procured a quantity of thin lath trays, 20 inches by 16 inches, covered with sheets of perforated paper, upon which I fed the silkworms until such time as they were nearly ready to spin their cocoon. Then I procured dry, brushy manuka, of about 2 feet lengths, and placed them on end. on each side of the tray, bending and loosely tying the ends in the centre, thus forming a kind of arch over each tray. The plan answered admirably. The silkworms ascended and formed their cocoons without the least trouble, or touching with the hands. I had a number of trays covered with the manuka arches close together, loaded with cocoons, forming a most pretty and interesting sight, somewhat resembling large bunches of Portugal grapes. With much pleasure I received a visit from a gentleman, a native of Modena, who had been brought up from childhood to rearing and tending silkworms. After he had carefully examined all that was connected with the question, he expressed himself to me, and afterwards in one of our local papers, that he was thoroughly satisfied with the kind of food used and the method of treatment that was being carried out. He further suggested that it would be worth while to import a family accustomed to sericulture, not only for the purpose of silk growing, but as a sure means of inducing others to follow, and by such means insure the stability of so valuable an industry in New Zealand. Should you consider it worth while to recommend the Government to procure a family as above stated, I would gladly render all the assistance, as to food for the silkworms, that may be required, and otherwise. I have, &o, T. C. Batcheloe. BEETROOT SUGAR. Mr. F. A. Krull to the Chairman, Colonial Industries Committee. Sir, — Consulate of the German Empire, Wellington, 23rd September, 1872, By the last mail I received advices from the mercantile firms in Berlin and Hamburg, in regard to the formation of a Beetroot Sugar Company in New Zealand. Contrary to their expectations, both firms have received, beyond an assurance of the lively interest taken in the subject, and the expression of a hope that at some future time the scheme may become practicable, very little encouragement from the sugar manufacturing districts, Magdeburg and Halberstadt, to which the necessary papers, and the recommendation of the Government of New Zealand, had been forwarded. The present appears to be a very unfavourable time for launching such an undertaking on the German money market. Since the late war all industries have been in such a flourishing condition, and characterized by so much activity, that capital finds immediate and remunerative employment at home, and in no branch more than in the beetroot sugar manufacture. Another great difficulty seems to be to find a properly qualified person to undertake the management of such a Company, as such individuals are a desideratum even in Germany, and, in consequence of the special knowledge required, receive very high salaries. Taking all these circumstances in consideration, I fear that the necessary capital, at any rate the greater part of it, will have to be found in New Zealand, in order to naturalize this most important industry. I have, &c, F. Aug. Keull, The Chairman of the Committee Consul for the German Empire, of Colonial Industries.