ON COLONIAL INDUSTRIES.

25

lI.—No. 8.

being carried to one important centre, Nelson, for the purpose of shipment, to supply other countries, besides manufactories for our own requirements. I recommend that a subsidy be offered for the production of metals manufactured, or their compounds, for exportation, feeling assured that such a project would be conducive to the employment of labour, and would add lasting wealth to the Colony. I'also suggest that all letters and papers relative to local industries received by your Committee, be printed for information, and that invitation be given to all parts of New Zealand to co-operate in the immediate development of their resources. I have, &c. The Chairman, Colonial Industries Committee. J. ~W. Tatton.

Enclosure 1. Mr. J. W. Tatton to Dr. Knight. Dear Sic,— Nelson, 17th November, 1862. In reference to a notice which appeared in the Nelson Examiner newspaper of 15th November, 1862, relative to an application being made (without date) by Mr. Charles Martin, for letters patent to grant him the exclusive right to manufacture an alloy or alloys of titanium and iron, I hereby state that alloy or alloys of the above metals have been manufactured in New Zealand prior to the publication of the notice referred to. During the years 1800 and 1861, I was working a series of experiments with the before-mentioned alloy or alloys. In the year 1861, my own furnace being out of working order, through the kindness of Mr. Charles Balme, of Soho Foundry, Nelson, I was enabled to follow out my experiments in the presence of himself and his men, who can testify to the same. I therefore object to a patent or exclusive right to manufacture the above-named alloy or alloys, as it might restrict private enterprise, and thus be prejudicial to the Colony. I have, &c, Dr. Charles Knight. j. yf t Tatton.

Enclosure" 2, Sir — Nelson, 15th November, 1862. In reference to a notice of application for letters patent which appeared in tho Nelson Examiner of this day's date, made by Charles Martin, " for the exclusive right of manufacturing iron with alloy or alloys of titanium," or, as worded, " alloy or alloys of titanium and iron," we the undersigned beg to certify that, to our personal knowledge, Mr. John William Tatton, mineralogical chemist, of Nelson, applied himself to the above combinations in connection with the iron sands from the different localities in our Province during last year (1861), which will show just cause for his objections to the granting of a patent for the exclusive right above mentioned unto the said Charles Martin. Charles Balme, W. Hough. of Soho Foundry, Nelson, T. C. Batchelor. (Proprietor). T. B. Louisson. Thomas Bedford, Thomas Oxley. Soho Foundry. Edwin Harris. J. M. Hill. J. M. Nation. John Thornton. John Perry. George Sheppard. Aug. Weyergang. Charles Knight, Esq. 5 J S h

Enclosure 3. Mr. J. W. Tatton to Dr. Knight. Sic — Nelson, 16th March, 1863. I wrote you on the 17th November, 1862, stating my objections to the granting of letters patent to Mr. Charles Martin for the manufacture of iron with titanium, in reply to an advertisement which appeared in the Nelson Examiner of 15th November of the same year. As the advertisement still appears in the paper, may I beg you will reply, stating whether you received the same. I have, &c, C. Knight, Esq., M.D. j w . Tatton.

Mr. Tatton's Statement relative to the Mineral Productions of the Province of Nelson. Silver. We find silver, to a more or less extent, with our gold ; also, with galena and copper in different parts of our Province. The samples I submitted to notice are chiefly prepared from Wangapeka and Collingwood. The ores I have met with during the last twelve years vary from five to thirty-seven ounces to the ton. The process for procuring the metal depends entirely upon the minerals associated with it, and would require a more lengthy description than can here be given. The works are similar to those required for the extraction of other metals, as regards furnaces. The places I have received samples from extend over more than 200 miles. n i