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No. 26. Evidence of Mr. Isaac Hopkins before Mr. Commissioner Burns. Grahamstown, 13th May, 1880. My name is Isaac Hopkins. I have been about seventeen years in New Zealand. I have been an apiarist for the last six years. If the Ligurian bee could be introduced into the country we could successfully compete with the honey imported from America. It would be very advisable to send some one to San Francisco to bring these bees into the country. This should be done by the Government, as it would be unfair to any private individual to expect him to do this on his own account; particularly as the public will largely benefit by this bee being introduced, both for the propagation of the bee itself and the inoculation of the clover. Isaac Hopkins.

No. 27. Evidence of Mr. John Lamb before the Commissioners on Local Industries. Auckland, 10th May, 1880. My name is John Lamb. lam before the Commission as chairman of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association of Auckland. Regarding our remarks about the high price of labour, we consider the Government are paying too high a rate of wages to those men who call themselves "the unemployed," thereby keeping up the high price paid for ordinary farm-labour, and competing against the ordinary employers of labour and interfering with the ordinary course of business. We consider that 2s. per day for single men and 3s. per day for married men is quite sufficient to pay as wages. These men at present refuse to take the ordinary market rate of wages so long as Government pay 6s. per day, and distinctly inform us that they would rather work for the Government than for private individuals, as they are not required to perform so much work for their money. Therefore, if Government would alter the system of employing these men, the industries mentioned in our paper attached would be started in the country, as labour would then be procured at payable rates, as the industries mentioned are most suitable for the country. Regarding a duty being placed upon imported fruit, we would recommend that no duty should be placed upon sheet-tin and solder. We would recommend that the unoccupied lands north of Auckland suitable for fruit-growing should be granted to settlers, free to those who would plant them in a satisfactory manner with fruit-trees. We would strongly recommend that every facility should be given to the manufacture of iron from the native ores, as large quantities of iron are required in both agricultural and pastoral pursuits. John Lamb, Chairman. That this Society recommends the Local Industries Commission that a bonus (say, of £2,000) be offered for the first 500 tons of beet-sugar made from beet grown in this province. This Association also recommend to the Commissioners' consideration the high price of agricultural labour, prohibiting the cultivation of many articles of great value, such as sugar-beet, linseed for oil and cake, drape, hops, tobacco, castor-oil beans, and olives : all of the above articles being adapted to this climate, and could be grown successfully if labour were cheaper. That, for the encouragement of fruit-growing for preserving and tinning for export and home consumption, there are thousands of acres north of Auckland considered to be some of the finest fruitproducing country in the world, and we would recommend that a protective duty be put upon articles of this description. We would also urge upon the notice of the Commission the introduction of the Ligurian bee, of which we believe they have already some evidence and information. John Lamb, Chairman, Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association,

Silk Indtjsthy. • No. 28. Mr. Richabb Dignan td?Mr. Commissioner A. J. Bums. StE,— Auckland, 15th May, 1880. I have the honor to inform you that I have received a letter from a gentleman in Scotland, who has an idea that New Zealand is a suitable place for carrying on the silk industry. The writer states that competent authorities are of opinion that, unless some effectual remedy is discovered soon, the silkworms of Europe and part of Asia run a risk of early extinction. It will be to now countries, therefore, like Australia and New Zealand that the silk-brokers, merchants, and spinners of the future will have to look for supplies. The letter also contains a query —namely, " Will the Government give any encouragement to persons willing to embark in this industry j and, if so, in what direction would such encouragement tend ?" From the above you will understand that this colony is attracting the attention of silk-growers ; and one reason at least is advanced why the question should receive some consideration. In and around the City of Auckland there are many mulberry trees, and if it were thought advisable from these trees could bo made the nucleus of a grove sufficient to try experiments in silk-raising. The white mulberry grows readily from cuttings, and thrives well in this district. I have raised several hundred plants myself during the last few years. In 1870 the Government published valuable detailed information collected by a Royal Commission specially appointed to inquire into this subject. Thus it will only be necessary to make a practical use of the important data already on hand. To bring the matter formalty before the Commission, I would ask, on behalf of this part of the colony, whicb seems so well suited to the silk industry, if it is the intention of the Commission now sitting to recommend that encouragement be given to persons willing to take up this important industry? Would the Government be willing to revive the bonuses offered on similar conditions to those in force a few years back ? I have, &c, RICHAKD DIGNAJT,