13

I.—lo

sent to London, and kept there sometime, and then repacked.and shipped, and sent out here afterwards. But a department such as you speak of could get things much more reasonably, because the proper plan for such a department would be to write to Sir Joseph Hooker, at the Kew Gardens. Sir Joseph Hooker, through the Government, would direct the Consuls in the various countries to procure the finest varieties, and have them sent to Kew; and there they would be properly packed and sent out. In that way you could procure varieties from every olive-growing country in Europe 78. You are aware we have carried a resolution to change the name of the Geological Department into the Department of Science and Industries ?—I was not aware of it. 79. The object is to combine the practical with the scientific. These questions of science and geology should not be neglected, but developed in a new direction altogether, and the department made more useful in the encouragement of industries. Do you think a department like that, with Dr. Hector at the head, would be a way of promoting these industries —such as olive culture ? —I do not think you could get a better man than Dr. Hector, from his taste and knowledge, and his being known —personally known—in Europe to all the persons who could help you best. I think, if you have that design, you should at once put yourselves in communication with the Botanical Gardens at Kew, and they would, through the Consuls, procure every valuable variety of olive for you. It would take a longtime to do that; and, in the meantime, here you can make preparations to have the gardens to receive them. I think that would be the best investment of public money New Zealand ever made. 80. You would approve a vote being placed on the estimates especially for these industries ? —I think it is the best thing you could do. 81. We have passed a resolution that there should be £1,000. Would you think that sufficient for the first year ?—I think, probably, that will be quite enough for the first year. I think too much spent the first year would be only wasted. For instance, your communications to Sir Joseph Hooker would cost nothing. All these preparations in Europe would cost nothing, at all events for the first year; and I doubt if you would have to pay anything afterwards. All you require is to prepare places for the things when they come out. I think, to commence, that would be enough the first year. 82. Have you considered the question of sugar production from sorghum ? —Yes; I think very well of that. I have never tried it myself, but I have carefully attended to the question. Sorghum, I think, is likely to be a very profitable thing. 83. Do you think an experiment ought to be made by the Government on a sufficient scale to demonstrate the practical establishment of the industry ? —I do not see such an immediate hurry for that being done, because at the present moment you secure sugar from neighbouring countries and send things in exchange. You have an immense number of other industries which, I think, would pay as well as that. My own belief is, the best thing you could give to many industries would be to have sugar imported free. I have always thought that. 84. The jam-preserving industry would be one of them ? —That again is a source of internal traffic to you. For instance, in the North we cannot produce gooseberry- and currant-jam. On the contrary, we could send to you loquat jams, and others you cannot produce. I think, instead of importing these things, it would be producing in the country the establishment of an internal traffic at once, besides providing an export. 85. Do you not think the best way to encourage the colonial manufacture of jam is to impose a duty on this import, rather than by having free sugar ? —I should like to see both things done. I think both would be very beneficial. 86. Captain Colbeck.} Are you aware whether any olive-oil can be expressed from the fruit of young trees ?■ —T have no doubt it could ; but whether to a payable extent or not I cannot say 87 You are aware the process of extraction is very simple ? —I am aware of the process of extraction. 88. There is evidence, in this book of yours, that two ounces of oil are used to every pound of wool in the process of manufacture, therefore it is really a necessity we should have this oil; it would be valuable information to know if you thought oil can be expressed from early fruit? —No doubt it could ; but whether so cheaply as you can import it lam not able to say But that would not prevent me from preparing for the future. 89. No doubt it is necessary we should begin to work at once if we are to foster manufactures ?— I would not lose any time. 90. You quite approve our action ?—Quite. I have been working in the north of New Zealand, especially at the Thames, to cover their hills with these useful trees. I think it is the wisest thing to do. 91. You do not think it safe to get plants from Australia, and to depend upon that country for our supply ? —I would get what I could from Australia. I really think, with the advanced means of communication we now have, New Zealand might, in olive-culture, be started on a basis that no other country was ever started upon. I would write to Sir Joseph Hooker, to let the Consuls be requested to procure the young plants, truncheons, and trees. We want to make the whole world to aid in our plan; and we can do it without any trouble. You would at once get, in that way, every valuable species of olive from all olive-countries. Further than that, I would recommend the Committee to do the same thing with regard to the fig. I would ask that the Consuls at Smyrna and other places be directed to get the best varieties. All this can be done in the earliest and readiest manner. All the machinery to do it is in existence. You have only to touch a spring here, and a vast machine will go into action to effect your wishes. Increased civilization and intercourse have given these colonies greater facilities for such purposes than the world has ever before afforded, and we should use them. 92. The Chairman.] Are there any other subjects you would recommend the Committee to consider? —Several. In the first place, one thing we could produce in great quantity is tanning material of the very finest kind; that is a subject upon which I have been at work myself. I tell you that acacias succeed better here than in Australia. They are something in that way like the gum tree (eucalyptus) This climate seems to suit them in a peculiar manner. I think the Committee should at once take steps to procure these trees —this is the best time of the year —from Melbourne and South Australia. Those are the best places. They should be distributed among the settlers. As sheep do not like to eat the young acacias, settlers would be able to scatter them about on the runs, and, in a