H.—22

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acre one year, because some other country has flooded the market, upon the chance that next year they will make a large profit if no such flooding takes place. (4.) That the remedy lies in imposing a protective tax that will not allow such excessive fluctuations, thereby giving producers a reasonable chance of making a profit, affording labour which would not be otherwise employed, keeping the money in the country, &c. To return to maize, such a tax as would insure its price not descending below 3s. 6d. or 4s. per bushel would cause its extended growth, especially when it is seen to be feasible and remunerative. Production of Wattle-hark. —I have made this a subject of inquiry in Australia, but find that the enclosed article embraces all I have learnt. As a means of promoting its growth, I would suggest a scheme similar to the Forest Trees Act: £4 scrip per acre is given under the Act; the time for earning this is something over two years. You will note that it is five to ten years before the wattle can be stripped — i.e., five to ten years without return. I think if £8 scrip were offered, payable by instalments, it would induce its culture —£2 to be paid as soon as the seedlings are up, £4 two years after (under the provisions of the Forest Trees Act), and £2 when the trees are fit to be stripped. In this way only £4 per acre would strictly appertain to the wattle, and half of this would depend upon a successful issue. Clause Bof the Forest Trees Act should be expunged, for it is one of the causes of its non-success, would-be planters thinking that if the conditions are fulfilled they should be entitled to the grant, and not have to wait while the Governor's approval is obtained, &c. Growth of Tobacco. —l grew three-quarters of an acre of this leaf a few years since. The weight obtained was over 7 cwt. The quality was good, but, the local manufactory at Papakura having been abandoned, it was only used for sheep-dipping. I further append extracts taken from the " State of lowa Census for 1875 :"—" Sorghum Syrup.— This is a product of all parts of the State, and in quantity more than sufficient for all domestic uses. Eecent experiments made in different parts by the direction of the Minister at Washington have attracted increased attention to this crop. If the expectation of the Agricultural Department shall be realized by further experiment, the sorghum-fields of lowa will be enabled to compete with the canefields of Louisiana in the production of sugar. Number of gallons of sorghum syrup made in 1874, 1,489,421." If the foregoing remarks are what you want, make what use of them you like; if not, put them in the fire : but I would be glad if you will keep the article on the wattle, as, to catch the post, I have no time to copy it. I have, &c, A. Hilis.

No. 20. The Chairman, Hawke's Bat Countx Council, to the Chairman of the Local Industries Commission. Sib,— Napier, 30th April, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular of the 17th instant, regarding local industries, &c, in the Hawke's Bay District, and requesting that you might be furnished with any suggestions that may occur in reference to promoting existing industries. I regret to state that local industries and manufactures have not as yet acquired any prominence in Hawke's Bay. They are few in number, and are as follows : Soap, biscuit and sweets, and cordial manufactures, fellmongery, boiling-down, sash and door factories, carriage factory, breweries, tanneries, rope and twine making, foundry, brick, basketmakers, &c. With regard to the establishment of now industries and manufactures in this district, there can be no doubt that the exceeding richness of the alluvial soil and mildness of the climate offer extraordinary advantages for the growth of sugar-beet, sorghum, hops, tobacco, hemp, mulberry trees for sericulture, fruit for preserving, and, on the slopes of limestone formations, olives for oil. Woollen manufacture should ere long be an established industry here, as the great grazing capabilities of this province produces an immense quantity of wool of the best quality and condition, both long wool and merino; and, as a plentiful supply of artesian water can be obtained anywhere on the plains, through which the railway runs, the facilities for a manufactory cannot be surpassed anywhere, capital alone being required to establish this industry. As regards the manufacture of sugar from beet-root or sorghum, the remark about capital equally applies. The alluvial plains will produce from 40 to 50 tons of beet-root to the acre of the best quality, and the facilities for establishing a sugar manufactory are the same as mentioned for wool. The question as to whether some concession in duty on the production of sugar, instead of a bonus, as now offered by the General Government, would not be more conducive to its manufacture, is one which should engage the attention of those interested in establishing one of the most valuable industries for this or any other country. I have, &c, I\ Suttou, Chairman, County Council, Hawke's Bay.

Bee-keepinu. No. 21. Mr. C. T. When to Mr. Commissioner T. S. P. Tinne. Sib, — Mount Hobson, Remuera, Auckland, 21st April, 1880. Observing in the papers that the Commission for facilitating the introduction of local industries, of which you are a member, are desirous that the people should display their interest and make suggestions on subjects of this nature, but "not knowing the full scope or functions of the Commission, I with some diffidence venture to ask whether the bee-keeping industry, which in other countries is of very large importance, could be fostered and assisted. 1 have taken much interest in the apiary for some twenty-five years, and am convinced there is much to bo made of it here, and, ultimately, much money would be kept in and brought into the country by encouraging the production