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163 and 164. Mr. E. Waters, Auckland, 13th April, 1880; 30th April, 1880,—Asking for additional duty of 2d. per pound on lozenges, &c, imported; that gum arabic and almonds may be free; and for a drawback on sugar used in confectionery. 165. Mr. E. "Waters, Auckland, 17th May, ISSo.—Bringing to notice the practice of allowing a drawback of 2d. per pound on English lozenges, &c, for export to the Islands from Auckland, which injures his trade. 166. Mr. Joseph Bennett, Auckland, 19th April, 1880.—Q-iving information that there is at Kamo an extensive quarry of merchantable marble, which the proprietors are willing to work if the Government will grant them a subsidy of £1,000. 167 and 168. Mr. A. B. Donald, Auckland, 22nd April, 1880; Ist May, 1880.—Drawing attention to certain anomalies in the tariff by which his trade is injured, fishing-nets being free, while the twine for making them is charged 15 per cent, duty ; the same with tarpaulins. Asks that netting, seaming, and roping twines may be admitted free, and a duty put on imported nets and tarpaulins. 169. Messrs. Mason and Struthers, Christchurch, 23rd April, 1880.—Stating that, as harvest bindingtwine cannot be made this year by the local twine-manufacturers, they hope a duty will not be imposed upon it. 170. Mr. J. Hardy Marshall, Kawakawa, sth May, 1880.—Evidence on the kauri-gum trade, and thinks that Government ought to derive some revenue from the gum-fields. 171. Mr. B. Blakey, Auckland, Bth May, 1880.—Evidence stating that he is a mast, block, and pump maker, and complaining that, whereas blocks are admitted free, he has to pay duty on galvanized sheaves for the blocks he makes ; and thinks the blocks should be charged duty, and the sheaves should be free. 172. Mr. J. A. Wilson, Auckland, 10th May, 1880. —Evidence stating that he is the owner of White Island, and a sulphur-manufacturer, and requesting that the duty on sulphur may not be removed, but increased. Eegarding sulphuric-acid manufacture, he recommends that a duty of 15 per cent, be put upon the imported article, which would soon cause the establishment of a factory in the colony. 173. Mr. Alfred Oldham, Orakei Road, Eemuera, 12th May, 1880. —Evidence stating that he is a manufacturer of floor-matting from Phormium tenax, and asking for a sufficient duty to prevent importation. He is unable to secure the contract for the Railway Department, because all the store contracts for each class of articles are let to one man, an importer. 174. Mr. J. C. Williams, Grabamstown. —Evidence stating that he has discovered a vein of lead ore, and wishing that the Government Analyst would ascertain the cost of separating the ore. Brings to notice that many minerals could be profitably worked if a lease other than a goldmining lease was granted. 175. Mr. J. B. Bradshaw, Dunedin, 18th May, 1880. —Presenting the views of a constituent of his on the manufacture of bottles, suggesting that a duty of 7d. per dozen be put upon imported bottles. 176. Mr. S. de Beer, Dunedin, 18th May, 1880.—Evidence on rope-manufacture, and asking that the duty upon imported rope may be increased by £2 10s. per ton, and that the charges by the railway on hemp be altered from measurement to wreight. 177 and 178. Mr. B. S. Corlett, Tauranga, 20th May, 1880; 25th May, 1880.—Drawing attention to the good building-stone that is found at Wairoa, easily procurable at a small cost; and thinks that Government should take some steps to acquire possession of the quarry, and the timber-re-serves between it and Lake Taupo ; also brings to notice the necessity for improved communication between Tauranga and Lake Taupo. 179. Mr. W. E. Williams, Wellington, 25th March.-—Calling attention to the light dues and port charges vessels are subject to; and suggesting that they should be on the same basis as in Victoria and New South Wales ; also to the heavy charges between this port and Westport and Greymouth. 180. Mr. J. Eees George, Wellington, 31st March, 1880.—Giving information that the Patent Slip Company can carry out repairs to wooden vessels, and that they built a schooner of eighty tons ; but that the latter experiment was a serious loss, offering no inducement to proceed further with that industry while the present depression exists. 181. The Chairman, Mongonui County Council, 2nd April, 1880.—Is of opinion that the only benefit Government can confer is the opening-up of the district by making roads. There are indications of coal in various parts, requiring a State grant of £500 to test them. 182. The Chairman, Clyde County Council, Wairoa, 6th April, 1880.—Giving a list of existing industries, and recommending that a premium be offered for a bark suitable for tanning, a bonus for the first ton of dressed flour, and for the production of paper. 183. The Secretary, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurcb, 9th April, 1880. —Forwarding resolution passed—namely, that relief may be afforded to local industries by the remission of Customs duties on articles imported and used for manufacturing purposes. 184. Borough Council Office, Masterton, 10th April, 1880. —Giving a list of existing industries, and recommending the establishment of a woollen factory, an oatmeal factory, a pottery, a tannery, and the manufacture of cement. 185. The Mayor of Hokitika, 10th April, 1880. — Forwarding a report, dealing principally with the main industries of the Coast, and recommending that the prospecting for gold and silver should be encouraged by way of subsidy, and that large rewards should be provided for discoverers of new gold fields ; stating that the supply of timber is practically unlimited, comprising the most valuable hardwoods, the trade in which will doubtless improve when the harbour works are completed. CoaL and copper are known to exist, and there is splendid marble at Casvvell Sound, and lithographic stone at Abbey Eocks, for the working of both of nvhich bonuses are recommended to be offered. The greatest drawback to every industry is {he want of railway communication between the East and West Coasts.