ON COLONIAL INDUSTRIES.

IL—No. 8,

29

levels, and surveys, and, above all, by the establishment of a School of Mines similar to those of Germany, in the Hartz Mountains, Saxony, in Silesia, and in England. This would tend to give permanence to what is at present an ephemeral branch of industry, by throwing the light of science and experience upon it, and would greatly tend to elevate the moral status of those employed in it by doing away with their present nomadic tendencies. I suggest, for the future guidance of companies, that, as the working shareholders hold half the claim, an estimate should be formed of the probable expense of working, and that the working shareholders be paid half wages until they have raised sufficient material to pay all expenses in connection with proving the mine. That the stone be tested from time to time ; if payable, then the company will be fully justified in procuring machinery, and not before. And further, when such gross misstatements are made with regard to the probable expense of getting water, the promoters' interest should be made accountable for part of such extra expense as may prove necessary. These precautions, and others that readily present themselves, would tend to make mining a sure and profitable investment, instead of the wild, gambling speculation that, in too many cases at present, it must be deemed. That element has been looked upon as the royal road to wealth, rather than in the more substantial ones —as coal, copper, chrome, iron, lead, silver, zinc, &c. In developing our resources we require nothing to import. Besides the material, we have fuel, and the compost for our furnaces, &c. The whole proceeds would be retained in profit and employing labour. Labourers are consumers ; and this, in my opinion, would bring a tide of immigration, who would settle down amongst us, without expense to the country. I will quote an article on haematite (iron), from the Engineer, dated 28th July, 1871. It states: — " Now, the whole of this so important district, with its portentously sudden growth, has increased some twenty-five fold within the last ten years: with the fabulous fortunes, in some instances incomes of from forty to fifty thousands pounds per annum, that have already resulted to the fortunate original lords of the mines, &c." This is the kind of prosperity we should endeavour to secure. Such industries would insure not only good opportunities for the safe investment of capital, but also what is, perhaps, even more important: openingsfor the employment of the rising generation, whose prospects at present are far from encouraging. In conclusion, having confidence in your political and commercial abilities, my paper may necessarily suggest to you the many advantages to be derived from the development of our mineral resources ; remembering that a_ country can only become great by reproducing, and the reproduction affects the whole Colony in which we reside. I have, Use., J. W. Tatton.

The Committee have also received the following letters : — Letter from Mr. William Smallen to T. Kelly, Esq., dated New Plymouth, 23rd May. 1872, asking aid from Government towards planting land with mulberry trees. Letter from Mr. T. A. Bird, Secretary to Canterbury Flax Association, dated Christchurch, Bth August, 1872, asking Government for a donation of £200 towards an exhibition of flax dressing machines to be held in Christchurch in December, 1872. Letter from the Superintendent of Otago to Mr. Murray, dated 25th April, 1872, relative to coal at Preservation Inlet, and the advantage of a wharf. Letter from Messrs. Eliott and Brodrick to the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, relative to the coal field at Preservation Inlet; dated Dunedin, 7th August, 1872. Letter from Dr. Hector to Mr. Murray, dated Wellington, 21st February, 1872, respecting the New Zealand Coals. Letter from Mr. Every McLean to Hon. Colonel Whitmore, dated Bleak House, 13th August, 1872, relative to the growth of beetroot for sugar. Letter from Mr. Murray to the Chairman of Industries Committee, dated Wellington, 29th July, 1872, relative to tussock-grass, glass, hops, powder, kelp, coal, &c. Letter from Mr. Hori Kerei Taiaroa to the Chairman, dated Wellington, 13th August, 1872, relative to the encouragement of the whale fishery in the Province of Otago.