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diameter, would cost about £550—average multitubular boiler. They range from £75 to £230, according to description. 467. Mr. Stevens.] If a duty of 40 per cent, were imposed upon portable boilers for tractionengines, do you think that would in any way increase the number of boilers made in the colony?— According to what has been imported in the past the demand is pretty well met. W T e want to prevent them coming in for the future. We give them ten years' life. 468. These boilers and engines are one and the same thing, and are made in the same establishment ; therefore, by the imposition of a duty it would make these people pay a tax upon what they use for agricultural purposes, and would not in any way remedy the difficulty under which you labour, because such engines could not be made here ?—The engines could be manufactured in the colony, and engines have been manufactured here. There is nothing about a traction-engine different to a locomotive. Scott, of Christchurch, manufactured ten locomotives for the Government; and I believe if more encouragement had been given the thing would have gone on very well indeed. 469. The Chairman.] In that case, did Scott's people manufacture the boilers as well?— Yes. 470. Mr. Stevens.] Do you not think the principal reason why people purchase boilers and engines combined out of the colony instead of having them made locally is because they can order a boiler by cablegram from London and have it sent out here in two months, whereas if ordered locally the boiler in question might take three to five months to construct; or in some cases they might be lying in stock here, and, as a rule, a man who wants a traction-engine does not make up his mind six months before he wants it, and therefore he gets the article that is ready at hand? —That is one great reason ; but you must look at it from another point: If this particular line had been protected in New Zealand years ago we should certainly have had works to supply them. But in the absence of proper protection we have had to send Homo. Agricultural implements are being manufactured in Christchurch and Dunedin, where encouragement has been given, and they compare very favourably with the imported article. The locomotive boilers made by Scott Brothers in Christchurch were made by a man who served his time in Wellington. lam a colonial, have served my time in the colony, and have never been out of it; and it is a matter of patriotism to me to see these things made in the colony. 471. Mr. McGowan.] Have you heard the foundry-owners' objections to making these things—■ namely, that the orders for machinery of this kind are comparatively few, and they could not devote the same time and attention to it that can be devoted to the manufacture of the same machines in the Old Country? —No, I have not; but I find that those manufactured locally are far superior in workmanship to the imported article, the reason being that in the colony an inspector is employed to overlook the work, and it must be carried out according to plans and specifications. 472. Mr. Mackenzie] Do you know how many boilers are made annually in New Zealand?—l cannot say; but, according to the number made in Wellington, there have not been many made during the last twelve months. 473. Did Victoria supply her own demands for boilers after protection was put on ?—To a great extent. From information I have received, there was more work done. 474. Mr. Tanner.] Can you give us any information as to the number of boilers imported into the colony: is it increasing or decreasing? —There have been a number landed in Wellington, and also a number transhipped here. There has been as much ironwork and boilers landed on Wellington wharf during the last twelve months as would keep every boilermaker in this colony in work. 475. Do you think there are more imported than there were six years ago? —Of a particular kind there are—namely, Tangye's creamery boilers. 476. I am speaking of those which are dutiable. Creamery boilers, along with agricultural and other machinery, come in free?— That is so. 477. Do you think work in your trade is increasing or decreasing?—l think it is decreasing very much indeed. There are less hands employed and less money earned in making marine boilers. I have only averaged £1 7s. a week wages during the last year, and there are numbers that have not received that. 478. Do the local bodies—such as Harbour Boards—show any preference for local industry, or do they send Home ?—The Wellington Harbour Board has shown its preference for local industry in the manufacture of eleven hydraulic cranes. They imported some cranes from the Old Country, and then called for tenders locally for eleven. Luke and Sons turned them out in first-class style, and superior to the imported article. 479. Do you recollect Anderson, of Lyttelton, tendering to build the Timaru Harbour Board a steam-dredge ?—I do. 480. Do you remember that the Timaru Harbour Board finally decided to send Home?— Yes. 481. And the total cost was more than Anderson's tender was?— Yes. 482. And at that time a large number of men in your society were walking about idle?—l remember the circumstance, and took a note of it. 483. The Chairman.] Supposing all these boilers were made in the colony, or the tariff were altered to induce that, are there sufficient machinery and appliances in the colony now to enable the work to be done?— Yes. 484. Mr. Hutchison.] I suppose you boilermakers could not work at ordinary foundry-work? —Yes; those who could get it to do. 485. You could do work in the smithy?— Yes. 486. Then, there is not work even at that?— No. 487. Mr. Mackenzie.] I suppose there is no chance of your competing in regard to creamery boilers until the duty is put on ?—No. 488. If a duty were put on, do you think the local competition would enable you to supply them as cheaply as they are supplied now ?—Yes. 489. The Chairman.] Of course, boilers are sometimes required to replace old ones in existing engines: in such cases arc they imported or made here? —They have been imported. Even marine boilers have been imported. I recollect twelve years ago putting a large boiler together for