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No. 190. Mr. W. Sekvice to the Mayor of Auckland (forwarded to the Commissioners on Local Industries). Sib, — Karangahape Road, Auckland, 17th April, 1880. In reference to the advertisement for suggestions to promote local industries, I would say that eight or nine years ago I was in the State of Kansas, United States of America, for a year or two, and, although an Englishman, was a member of the Board of Trade for the City of Wyandotte. This being a new city, not fourteen years old, it was deemed desirable to establish manufactories, and to induce men of capital to come from the East and settle out West. The City Council made offers, such as a gift of one to two or three acres of land for a woollen mill, or a remission of taxes of 10 or 20 per cent, for the establishment of a furniture-factory or saw-mill. During the time I was there an iron-bridge building firm at Cincinnati, Ohio, were about pushing West. We wished them to settle at Wyandotte, but eventually they went to another city —I think Topeka —because they offered a more valuable subsidy than we did. As we have not one-third the manufactories here, although three times as old, as I have seen in American cities, I think, if we wish to foster industrial occupations, some such plan might be adopted with advantage ; and certainly the colony has arrived at the stage when manufacturing would be for the benefit of all classes. I have, &c, W. Sektice.

No. 191. Mr. James Hanan to the Chairman of the Local Industries Commission, Timaru. Sib, — Invercargill, 17th April, 1880. I have been under the impression that it was the 21st April, until I referred to your circular. Trusting that I shall be better late than never, I hereby name a few of the articles which the colony would be benefited by producing instead of depending on importation :— 1. A monumental stone, easily carved, that would be durable. —The Oamaru stone washes away and the lettering is soon obliterated. Greatly objected to. They are largely importing from Carrara in Italy. Some method should be devised to open up a quarry of suitable stone, so that monuments from 10 to 15 feet high could be got from £10 to £30. I believe a great number of orders could be obtained. 2. The manufacture of linseed-oil.—This is one of the most profitable crops which a farmer could have. The flax is used for ropes, cloth, mats, beds, &c. The seeds are pressed, producing oil to paint houses with, and as medicine for horses, and the core or renderings to feed cattle on. 3. White paint.- —Inquire of Dr. Hector if a stone similar to barytes is known, of sufficient colouring matter to make white paint of. Barytes is used to adulterate white lead with. Best white . lead is most valuable for artists, but for painting wooden houses does not last more than two years ; the acidity of the lead corrodes and perishes the oil. I have given the last coat over it with fat linseedoil and putty or whiting. This will last for ten to fifteen years. 4. Different colours. —A light-red paint similar to red lead; green and blue, by turning or changing the white into those colours ; and the manufacture of putty for window-glass. 5. The manufacture of window-glass by encouraging competent men from Europe to manufacture it here.—The breakage in this article is something extraordinary. A great quantity of broken glass could be collected from the painters' shops. 6. Bar-iron. —A large quantity of scrap-iron can be got from the smiths' shops ; and offer a reward for the discovery of iron ore in payable quantities, for wherever deep seams of coal exist, iron ore is sure to be found ; and the manufacture of corrugated galvanized-iron plates. 7. The manufacture of Portland cement. —A vast quantity of this is used and imported. It is made in England of blue clay and chalk, mixed and dried on plates of iron, and then burnt. It should be of the best quality, as no other is suitable. 8. Machines of the best quality for making pressed bricks, and of simple construction. 9. Pickles to supply the shops with : it shows the indolence of the people not to make their own. 10. Proper machinery for the manufacture of white paper for newspapers. I have, &c, James Hanak, Invercargill.

No. 192. Mr. J. L. Siuclaik to the Chairman of the Local Industries Commission. SiX, — Somerset Place, Auckland, 25th March, 1880. During last session of Parliament I corresponded with the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin on the subject of native industries, and from some statistics he was good enough to send me I drew up a sort of tabular statement of the " Industrial Progress of the Colony." This was printed in the New Zealand Herald of the 3rd January, 1880, and, though now only approximate, may still be useful for reference. I sent copies to Sir Julius Vogel and some leading journalists at Home, with the view of showing what industries had been already established out here, and the probability of some being successful which, through over-competition and depression of trade, might not be able to maintain themselves in such numbers in Britain. If you send any printed questions round, please cause copies to be forwarded to me, as I take the deepest interest in this question. May I ask you to remember me to Mr. Tinne, and tell him I expect great things from this Coramission. I have, &c, The Hon. the Chairman, Local Industries Commission. J. L. Sinclair.