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to persevere with renewed energy in their various pursuits, and demonstrating to others the advantages to be derived from the application of labour, ingenuity, and capital to developing those resources which nature has so abundantly provided in New Zealand. They desire also to inform the Government that the manner in which the Exhibition was managed by a. Committee of the Exhibitors was admirable, and to express their opinion that, in thus furthering in a most practical way the prospects of local industries, those gentlemen have rendered no inconsiderable service to the colony. The Committee place among the most important industries represented at the Exhibition, manufactures from clay—namely, pottery, earthenware, patent bricks and tiles, drain-pipes, firebricks, &c. They found this industry firmly established, though still in the early stages of its development. There are employed in the works of those exhibiting in this class about 150 persons, the rate of wages ranging from 7s. to 12s. per day. In the commoner class of goods the manufacturers state that they can already compete successfully with the importers, but that in drain-pipes, and those classes of goods which require skilled labour, they can barely do so at present, though they are sanguine of complete success in the future. The materials used in this industry —clay of various kinds, fireclay, and coal — are found in inexhaustible quantities in Canterbury, and fresh discoveries are being made from time to time. The products of this industry exhibited were of remarkably good quality, and much artistic talent of a high order was displayed in the manufacture of some of them. The Committee saw also specimens of marble of very handsome appearance, worked up into mantelpieces, &c.; but they are not able to state to what extent this industry is developed. Specimens were shown of a pure white chalk from Oxford, an invaluable ingredient in the manufacture of Portland cement. The Committee learnt with much satisfaction that this chalk is found in vast quantities in an accessible position, and that clay of a suitable kind for combining with it in the manufacture of cement is also believed to exist in the neighbourhood. The great cost of cement-works appears to be the chief drawback to the prosecution of the enterprise by a private individual. A sample of excellent whiting made from this chalk was exhibited. The metal trades, including the manufacture of brasswork, iron goods, lead and brass castings, gasand water-pipes, cooking-ranges, ploughs, tinware, such as baths, cans, and so forth, were largely represented, the exhibits being of a particularly gratifying character. These trades appear to be firmly established, and capable of competing successfully with importers, though labouring under some disadvantages incidental to a new country. The number of persons said to be employed in this trade is about GOO, and the rate of wages was stated to be from 9s. to 14s. per day. The woollen trade was represented by a magnificent exhibit of cloths of the finest quality, blankets, flannels, hosiery, and yarns. There are over a hundred hands employed in the factory where these goods are produced, wages varying from 10s. to 40s. a week. The goods find a ready sale, and the demand is constantly increasing. The manufacture of clothing, iii which large quantities of locallymade cloth is consumed, is also a large industry ; one firm alone, represented at the Exhibition, employing 500 hands, and producing goods of a superior quality at a lower price than those imported. The boot-manufacturers exhibited a great number of excellent specimens of their handiwork. This trade is firmly established. It employs about 700 hands in Christchurch, and produces articles equal in qualit}' to any imported, and at a lower price. The wages range from 10s. to £3 10s. a week. In other branches of the leather trade the Committee saw some splendid specimens of saddlery. In this industry, as in many others, the colonial manufacturer can defy the world in the highest class of work, but cannot compete in cheap goods with the English manufacturer. The saddlers employ about a hundred men, at wages varying from £2 10s. to £3 a week. The want of local tanneries is a great drawback to this trade. The manufacture of hats was represented by a remarkably good exhibit. The quality of the locally-made hats is far superior to that of those ordinarily imported, and, quality for quality, the colonial manufacturer can easily compete with the importer, though the manufacture of low-class goods cannot be successfully undertaken here at present. There are about forty men employed in this trade here at present, and wages raiifre from 7s. to 10s. a day. Soap and candles.—This industry was very well represented, the exhibits comparing very favourably in point of quality with imported articles. They easily compete also in point of price, and are practically driving the impoii ed articles out of the market. It was represented that this industry would be much facilitated by a development of the trade with the Pacific Islands, whence one of the principal ingredients for the finer qualities—namely, oqcoanut oil —is obtained. Bacon and hams, butter, and other -dairy produce was exhibited in great profusion, and of splendid quality. This industry is assuming very large proportions, and has practically put an end to the import of these articles. Manufactures from wood were represented by exhibits of very fine quality of wholesale woodware, turned and bent goods, spokes, &c, spokes made from the native kowhai attracting the particular attention of the Committee. These are said to be superior to either hickory or hardwood spokes. This trade easily holds its own against the importers, both in price and quality. A. great number of persons are employed in this trade, one Christchurch firm employing, when in full work, fifty hands in one department of the business ; whilst a Dunedin firm employs 1,100 in all the branches. Wages range from 7s. to 10s. a day. There was a fine display of furniture, the quality of the exhibits being really excellent. This trade is firmly established, and almost excludes the English manufacture. It employs about 300 hands in Christchurch, at wages from 7s. to 12s. a day. Printing and bookbinding were represented by a variety of handsome and interesting exhibits. In bookbinding the local manufacturer can compete in the cheaper class of work, but not in the higher classes, for want of skilled labour and the particular kinds of leather that are required. There are between 600 and 700 men employed in these trades in Canterbury, at wages ranging from £2 to £4 10s. a week. A notable exhibit of manufactures from flax (linuni) attracted much attention. These included fibre, ropes, plough-lines, and twines of all sizes and qualities, some of them being altogether too good for ordinary use. The Committee learn that this industry is still somewhat experimental as a commercial venture, liopo from New Zealand jphormfiwrn, was also exhibited. This competes successfully with imported rope of similar quality.