H.—36.

Appended is the list of firms who intend doing business with us instead of importing the goods from Home market: —Wellington : Bing, Harris and Co.; Sargood, Son, and Ewen ; Macky, Steen, Caldwell, and Co. Christchurch : Bing, Harris, and Co., Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative, Johnson and Cousin, Trist and Co., Ross and Glendining, Butler Bros., Bannatyne and Co. These are the only firms interviewed as yet, but the others we are certain to secure, on application being made to them. —S. & Co.

Hon. Sir,— 7th March, 1899. Be bonus, felt manufacture : We have much pleasure in informing you that we have now completed the conditions necessary to qualify us for the bonus of £500 so kindly placed on the estimates by your good self for the encouragement of the felt industry in the colony. We have had a very hard task to accomplish our object, but we are now in a position to supply the goods fit for this market; in fact, so much so that we are in possession of letters from large importers in the colony expressing their delight at our success and approval of samples sent; also placing orders with us in preference to importing, as they have done hitherto. We have already received orders from Sargood, Son, and Ewen, Wellington ; Wiggins & Son, saddlers, Wellington; Bing, Harris, and Co., Wellington ; Butler Brothers, saddlers, Wellington; Johnson and Cousin, Ghristchurch; Trist and Co., Christchurch; Eoss and Glendining, Christchurch ; Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative, Christchurch; Butler Brothers, Christchurch; Butterworth Brothers (Limited), Christchurch. We have not tried Dunedin or Auckland yet, but we do not anticipate any trouble in placing the goods there. We now hold stocks of upwards of £1,000, and are still making. Unfortunately for us, the season has just closed, and will not be open again for some time, and, as our expenses have been so heavy for so long, that if you would favour us by giving our application your kind consideration we shall be grateful. We may add that when in full work we employ nine persons, and the business is capable of being very much increased. Hoping for our petition your favourable judgment, We are, &c, Shaw and Co., Hon. E. J. Seddon, M.H.E. Felt Manufacturers, Adelaide Eoad. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,375 copies), £2 Is. 6d.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB99. Price 6d.

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