THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2009, 2 August 1880, Page 3

THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

The following report of the Commission appointed to examine the Industrial Exhibition has been received by Mr R. Allan, the President of the Industrial Association :

" Government Buildings, Wellington, N.Z., " July 29th, 1880. « Sir, — I have the honour to forward to you, for the information of the promoters and managers of tho recent Exhibition of Colonial Industries at Christchurch, copy of a report presented to me by the committee which the Government appointed in compliance with a request mado by the managers. I have great pleasure in congratulating you, and those who worked with you, as wejll as the various exhibitors, upon the genuine success of the Exhibition. " I have, &c,

"John Hah." " Robert Allan, Esq., Chairman, &c, &c." The following is the report : Christchurch, July 24th, 1880. Sir, —The oommittee appointed to examine the exhibits at tho Exhibition of Colonial

Industries, at Christchurch, have the honour to report that they visited the Exhibition on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 20th and 21st July, and were afforded every facility by the Chairman and members of the Exhibition committee, for prosecuting their inquiry. They found a large number of exhibits which were a gratifying evidence by themselveß of the success which has so far attendod the enterprise of local manufacturers, and a proof that many industries of great importance are already established here on the only secure basis, that namely, of commercial profit as governed by the laws of demand and supply. They found also many exceedingly interesting exhibits, the results of experiments in industries which are yet in their infancy, but which seem likely before long to gain a footing in the country, and ultimately to take their pla.ee among the Btaple occupations of the people. The Exhibition was further adorned and rendered entertaining to visitors by a great variety of exhibits which were rather works of art or curiositiou than industrial products, and upon which, therefore, the committee presume the Government do not requiro them to roport. They desire, beforo entering upon details, to express their high aenso of the value of the .Exhibition as a means of commending local industries prominently to the notice of the public, oncouraging those who are engaged iin them to persevere with renewed energy in thoir various pursuits, and demonstrating to others the advantages to be derived from tho application of labor, ingenuity, and capital to developing those resources which nature has so abundantly provided in New Zealand. They desire also tc inform the Government that the manner in which the Exhibition was managed by a committee of tho exhibitors was admirable, and to express thoir opinion that in thus furthering, in a most practical way, tho prospects of local industries, those gentlemen have rendered no inconsiderable service to tho colony. Tho committee place among tho most important industries represented at the Exhibition—Manufactures from Clay, viz., pottery, earthenware, patent bricts and tiles, drain-pipes, fire-bricks, &c. They found this industry firmly established, though still in the early atage 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 a day. In the commoner class of goods tho manufacturers stato that they can already compete successfully with the importers, but that in drain pipes and those classes of goods, which required skilled labor, 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, fire clay 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 wero 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 coat of cement works appears to be the chief drawbrck 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 brass work, iron goods, lead and brass castings, gas and water pipes, cooking ranges, ploughs, tinware, such as baths, cans, and so forth, were largely represented, the exhibits being of a. particularly gratifying charaoter. These trades appear to be firmly established, and capable of competing successfully with importers, though laboring nnder Borne disadvantages incidental to a new country. The number of persons said to be employed in this trade are about 600, and the rate of wages was stated to be from 9s to 14s a day. The woollen trade was represented by a magnificent exhibit of cloths of the finest quality, blankets, flannels, hosiery and yarns. There are over 100 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, in which large quantities of locally made 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 700 hands in Ohristohurch, and produces articles equal in quality to any imported, and at a lower price. The wages range from 10s to £3 10a 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, bnt cannot compete in cheap goods With the English manufacturer. The saddlers employ about 100 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 range from 7s to 10s a day. Soap and Candles.^—This industry was very well represented, the exhibits comparing very favorably in point of quality with imported articles. They easily compote also in point of price, and are practically driving the imported 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, oocoanut oil, is obtained. Bacon and hams, butter, and other dairy produce, were exhibited in groat profusion, and of splendid quality. This industry is assuming very large proportions, and has practically put an oud 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 importer, both in price and quality. A great number of persons are employed in this trade, one Ohristchurch firm employing, when in full work, 50 hands in one department of the business, whilst a Dunedin firm employs 1100 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 Ohristchurch, 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 labor and the particular kinds of leather that are required. There are between 600 and 700 men emplpyed in these trades in Canterbury, at wages ranging from £2 to £4 10s a week. A notable exhibit of manufactures from flax (linum) attracted much attention. These iucluded fibre ropes, plough lines, and twines of all sizeß and qualities, some of them being altogo*..her too good foiordinary use. The committee learn that this industry is still somewhat experimental, as a commercial venture. Rope from New Zealand phormium was also exhibited. This competes successfully with imported rope of similar quality. Another interesting exhibit was that of linseed, linseed meal, buckwheat, poaa, peaflour, and rye, all representing crops to which farmers might turn their attontion with great advantage. The manufacture of horsetails of the finest quality was exhibited, and shown to be an industry capable of being easily and profitably carried on, at all events for retail purposes. A string-binder attachment to a reaping and binding machine was exhibited, working with twine made from New Zealand phormium, and apparently answering the expectations of its inventor.

Two specimens of chaff cutting machines of very good quality were shown. Here again, as in many other local manufactures, the imported article is beaten in point of quality, but the local manufacturer cannot

produce inferior articles as cheaply as they are imported. In this case the difference exists in tho frame of the machine being made of timber in the locally made, and iron in the imported machine. The carriage-making trade was represented by a number of superb exhibits, including a highly-finished brougham, dog-carts, queen's phaeton, wagonnette, double buggy, gigs, and a hansom cab. In all these lines the local manufacturer can compete successfully with the importer, both in price and quality, but not in the cheaper class of goods. There are about 220 men employed in this trade in Chrietchurch, at an average wage of £llßs 6d a week. A Btrong farmer's dray was shown as a specimen of a new and important industry, quite separate from carriage building. It was in every respect superior to imported drays of the same claßs, and the price was lower. Carriage lamps, locally manufactured, were also A useful industry was also represented by a varied exhibit of papar and pasteboard boxes for chemists, haberdashers, milliners, jewellers, and other purposes. These wore of remarkably good quality, far superior to that of tho imported articles, but the manufacturer stated that he can scarcely compete in point of price with the inferior goods imported. The committee desire to mention also the following exhibits, about which they have not obtained special information, but which they consider worthy of notice —Wrapping paper, coffee, confectionery, pickles and sauces, engravings on copper, bone work, optical and scientific instruments, jewellery, brush ware, basket work, modelling in clay, improved washing boiler, basket and cane work, graining on wood, wines and beer, and bone dust for manure, and many other smaller exhibits displaying much industry and ingenuity. la conclusion, the committee have the honour to state that the time at their disposal for examining the Exhibition and reporting upon it was fur too short to allow of their doing justice to it ; and they venture to suggest that, in tho event of any similar exhibition being held hereafter, the Government should endeavour to ascertain for public information much more complete particulars than are hereby conveyed. The committeo attach to the report various communications which they have received.

We have, &c., (Signed) Ed-wabd Wakbfibid, Chairman, for the Committeo.