I.—4a

2

considering the advantages derivable from the Exhibition, it is to be regretted that the local bodies, mine-owners, and residents in the several mining districts did not take greater interest in the proceedings of the Commissioners, and render them more effectual assistance. 7. That the restriction as to payment of Customs dues on auriferous exports was illiberal and had a most detrimental effect, and it is well, though somewhat late, that the restriction has been removed. 8. The Committee, having communicated, through the Chairman, with local bodies and persons interested in mining in different parts of the colony, and having received from them valuable information and very liberal offers of assistance in procuring exhibits of all kinds required, are of opinion that the several offers made should at once be accepted. 9. Your Committee further recommend that the Government procure, from each of the Auckland, Thames, Otago, Nelson, Eecfton, and Westland Districts, large quantities of auriferous and argentiferous ores, auriferous cement and sand, and other valuable minerals, and arrange for the cost of transit thereof from the mines to the Melbourne Exhibition : the exhibits to be under the control of the contributors as to sale or reimportation 10. That your Committee further recommend that the New Zealand Handbook, in which the colony's mineral resources and mines are elaborately described, should be completed without delay and circulated at the Exhibition, and that the Handbook of New Zealand Mines compiled by the late Minister of Mines, the Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, together with other handbooks which may be compiled in reference to the mines and mineral resources of particular localities, be also circulated at the Exhibition. 11. That maps showing the areas which are held under lease or license in the several mining districts, and which are now obtainable, be procured and forwarded to the Exhibition, together with photographs, &c, of mines, water-races, hydraulic and dredging apparatus. 12. That your Committee recommend the Government to send to Melbourne, on behalf of the colony, an expert or experts in practical mining, possessing a knowledge of mining machinery and appliances, and the treatment, scientific and practical, of refractory, auriferous, and argentiferous ores, such expert or experts to note carefully and report on the mining machinery and appliances, and the several improved processes used in extracting the precious metals from the said ores. 13. That your Committee recommend that arrangement be made with exhibitors, where possible, that the mineral exhibits which remain over from the Melbourne Exhibition at the close thereof be forwarded, at the expense of the colony, to the Paris Exhibition. 14. Your Committee, in order to give effect to the opinions in this report expressed, recommend the Governments to provide the sum cf £500 to defray the cost of procuring and forwarding additional exhibits to the Melbourne Exhibition, and a further sum of £500 to defray the cost of forwarding and procuring mineral exhibits to the Exhibition to be held in Paris next year. 15. That this report be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration. .Richard John Skddon, 17th August, 1888 Chairman.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Thubsday, 16th August, 1888 (Mr. Seddon, Chairman)1. M. Le Comte do Jouffroy d'Abbans in attendance, and examine:!. 1. '1 'ho Chairman.'] Sir, this Committee, having in view the furtherance of the mining industry of this colony, desire to have what evidence you can give on the subject. The idea has been expressed that, by contributing to the Paris Exhibition specimens of the mineral wealth of this country, we should be encouraging the mining industry of New Zealand. The House of Representatives has referred this particular matter to the Committee, and in order to be able to advise the House wo asked you to do us the honour of being present here to-day to give us such information as would enable us to report, with recommendations, to Parliament. Will you be good enough to make a statement to the Committee?—l was two years in California, where I have been French Consul ad interim, and had the opportunity during my stay there to see how the French settlers in California were taking part in promoting the industrial enterprise of the country, and contributing more particularly to the development of its mining resources, side by wide with the English, Germans, and others throughout the State of California, being also engaged in all agricultural directions. I think no better inducement can be given to French capital and people to come here than to do as they have done in California, Chili, and elsewhere in illustrating tlie strength and character of mining.business that may be done with reasonable prospect of success. Mining speculation is the basis of nearly every other speculation. I take the liberty to present to this Committee and the Parliamentary Library this book [" Les Franeais en Californie," par Daniel Levy : San Francisco, Gregoire, Tanzy et Cie.; Libraires, Editeurs, 6, Eve Post, 1884], in which the writer shows what the French have done in California. This book has been compiled from official documents, partly by myself as collaboratour, and those honourable members who understand French, and will read it, may ascertain for themselves the beneficial results of the French emigration to America. French miners have gone there by tens of thousands, and French capital has followed them. French companies have been established at Paris and other parts of France for working claims in the Californian goldfields. But what is most important, from, the year 1850 to the year 1870, it is estimated that more than 100,000,000fr. (£4,000,000) have beeu invested by the French in California. In this book you can see that the first large works in the mining districts,including railway-works, have been made by French people with French capital. In a passage at.