LOCAL INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2047, 15 September 1880, Page 3

LOCAL INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION.

The first meeting of the committee of the above in their newofiices was hold on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Present —Messrs A. E. Kirk, Langdown, Oherrill, Waller, Jenkins, Charters, Hulbert, Austin, Hull, Moor, R. Allan, Howland, Toomer, W. 8. Smith, Scott, and Holmes. Mr E. Allan, the president of tho association, occupied the chair. The President reported that arrangements had been made to secure tho services of Mr Jameson ae secretary, and with Messrs Ford and Newton for the renting of the room for twelve months on the terms mentioned. The sub-committeo had furnished tho room, the chairs, &e., being of colonial manufacture. One of the members of tho association bad expressed a wish that there should be canebottomed chairs, but it would hardly do to have imported chairs in their office. Ho also begged to present the association with a photograph of Lyttelton Harbor, and also files of tho “ Australasian ” and tho “ Loader.” It would ba for those present to fix tho day of their meeting regularly, so that every member might know when this took place. In talking over matters with the secretary, he had suggested that a suggestion book should be provided, so that members or visitors might put down any suggestions. On the tablo was tho very voluminous report of the Local Industries Commission, and he

thought it would be as well if they made a digest of the recommendations contained

therein, and see how the Association could help forward any of taem. One point specially deserved attention, that referring to the provisions of the Special Partnerships Act, which was of great importance with regard to the fostering of local industries. This, ho thought, was a matter which might bo brought before the general meeting of members. The Secretary was instructed to procure

dozsu copies of the Local Industries Oommis sion’s report. A letter was read from Mr Chinnory, complaining of the high rate of carriage charged on fibre between Christchurch and Lyttelton. He had called tho attention of the Eailwoy authorities to the matter, and they had informed him that fibre was classed in the same class as young fruit trees. He desired to open up a trade in fibre between this place and Melbourne, but if he had to pay as ho now had, £3 5s 8d per ton for carriage, it was a very great tax. He was of opinion that fibre should go at the same rate as wool.

The matter was referred to the chairman for further enquiries, and to take action. The Chairman said that Mr Murphy, the secretary of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, had asked them to give prizes for local industries, under the head of local manufactures in their catalogues. Mr Toomer said that ho intended to give a prize of £5 5s for best leather. The Chairman said that pickles and preserved fruits especially were industries which deserved encouragement at the hands of the asaooial ion. He would ask the committee to deal with this matter presently. It would be remembered that a deputation had been appointed to wait on the Premier on his arrival here, with regard to an exhibition. As they know the Premier had not arrived, and

in the interim the Otago association had decided upon having their exhibition in June next. Now he took it that the committee did not desire to clash or go in opposition to the Dunedin people, but would perhaps aid them in carrying out the proposed exhibition. Whilst on the subject of finance, ho might say two circulars had been drafted by the secretary, which would bo addressed to members who had not yet paid their subscriptions for the current year, and also to mercantile firms and others who might become members.

Tho committee decided that the circulars, as read by tho chairman, be issued at once.

The question of the association giving a prize or prizes under the heading of New Zealand manufactures and produce, at the November show of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, was considered. Mr Holmes saw a difficulty in only giving one prize where there were ao many sub-divi-sions.

The Chairman pointed out that they might suggest one or two lines to which prizes might be given. He thought the industries of preserved fruit and pickles were deserving of support from the association, and also, it might be, twine from New Zealand grown flax.

Mr Hull suggested that a prize should be offered for twine used in string-binding reaping machines, made from New Zealand flax. The Chairman said over 300 string binders Here ordered for next season.

After some little discussion, Mr Hull moved—“ That a sum of £5 5s bo offered as a prize for the best sample of twine made from New Zealand grown fibre suitable for use in reapers and binders, wholesale price to be a consideration ; not loss than lowt. to be exhibited ; also, two sums of £3 3s for the best assortment of pickles and jams and preserves, the neatness of label to be taken into consideration.”

Mr Kirk seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The meetings of the committee of the association were fixed to be held on the second Wednesday at four o’clock and on the fourth Wednesday in each month at 7.30 p.m. Mr Oherrill moved—“ That general meetings of the members of the association be held on the fourth Wednesday in each alternate month at eight o’clock. The first meeting to be held on the fourth Wednesday in October.”

Mr Howland seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was resolved that the president request Mr J. P. Jameson to be kind enough to prepare a digest of the report of the looal industries committee in time for the next general meeting of member*. Mr Howard waited on the association with a patent action Venetian blind, which he desired to exhibit to the committee. The improvement consisted in a patent joint attached to the catch above the blind, by which the blind was lowered and raised. The price was 3s each, and as he h d been engaged in manufacturing these attachments for years he know that the principle he had now explained was new. There could be no locking, and the attachment of these to the blinds obviated the necessity so often seen of blinds becoming fastened and having to be undone by getting on a chair. The Chairman said that the committee would see what could be done in this matter.

Mr Ohorrill suggested that they should have a library—small at first, of course—of catalogues of machinery, so that any person starting a new industry would be able to get the information he desired as to what machinery he required. The association might get a largo number of catalogues in all branches of industry, if say an advertisement were inserted in the “ Scientific American ” and other papers of that character. Mr Hull suggested that the secretary should write to the secretary of the Colonial Institute in London, and he would get, ho thought, any quantity of catalogues. As regarded the “ Scientific American,” he (Mr Hull) had been in communication with the editor of that paper, and if desired ho would communicate with him as to getting American catalogues. It was resolved to carry out the suggestion of Mr Hull ; also to communicate with Sir Julius Vogel on the subject, and to advertise in “ The Engineer,” “ Scientific American,” “Engineering,” and “English Mechanic,” asking for catalogues of machinery, &c. The Chairman said that Mr W. R. Mitchell, who was going over to Melbourne for a lengthened visit, had offered to place his services at the disposal of the association to report specially on the New Zealand court of the Exhibition at Melbourne. It was resolved “ That the Government be requested to recognise Messrs. Isaac Wilson and W. B. Mitchell as delegates from this association to report on tho Melbourne Exhibition, and introduce them to tho commission on some sort of official fooling.” Tho meeting then adjourned.