INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2060, 30 September 1880, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of tho committee of the above was held on Wednesday. Mr Robert Allan, the president of the association, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members.

Mr Taylor, of the firm of Taylor and Son, Venetian blind and revolving wooden shutter manufacturers, attended, and exhibited a very ingenious model of his patent revolving wooden shutter, and explained the principlo of it, pointing out the advantages it possessed over the iron shutters both in the mattor of expense and appearance Mr Taylor explained, in answer to a question from Professor Biekarton, that he bad tried kauri for the manufacture of the shutter, which he found to be very good. There was, he thought, no difficulty in affixing the shutters to buildings now erected. He thought the cust would be from £lO to £ls for each front according to size, and would be half the cost of iron. The President said that the committee wished Mr Taylor every success in his enterprise, as ho felt sure that he was introducing something that was very much wanted in tho oity. If Mr Taylor would leave the model in the rooms of the association, it could be on exhibition there.

Mr Taylor then retired, after thanking the committee for their courtesy. I'ho President said that, in accordance with their instructions, a letter had been sent to the Government, asking that Messrs W. R. Mitchell, Isaac Wilson, and Newby should be introduced to the Melbourne Commission as representatives of the association, to report on the exhibits of New Zealand. The Premier had forwarded a letter of introduction for three gentlemen, addressed to Dr. Hector, which he would road. [Lotter read .J A copy had been sent to Mr Newby, and the original would be given to Mr Mitchell, who would leave in a few days. The secretary had Bent out the circulars as requested, and Mr George Gould, with his well-known generosity, had signified his intention of contributing a handsome sum, and several other gentlemen had promised to contribute. He would suggest that an advertisement should be inserted in the daily papers inviting persons to become members and take an interest in the work of the association by bringing samples of local manufactures, &c.

It was resolved that the advertisement be inserted as suggested.

The President said that with regard to the flax spoken of by Mr Chinnery, it had been found that on the line from Rargiorato Christchurch it was called 4 tons 17 cwt., whilst on the Lyttelton and Christchurch lino the same was charged 16 tons. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Hull, J. P. Jameson, Hulbert, and himself, waited, in accordance with the request of the association, on the Premier with regard to mutters connected with the association. The first matter introduced was the holding of an exhibition in Christohurch. Of course, qs Dunedin had gone in to hold an exhibition in June, the association would not press this point, but they had put strongly before the Premier the claim of Christchurch as the locale of an Australasian exhibition, should such a thing take place. Mr Hall did not give any definite reply, but the matter was placed before him by the deputation. The next subject was the report of the Royal Commission on Local Industries, and they urged upon the Government the necessity of practical use being made of the suggestions of the commission. The subjects of railway rates on pottery, technical schools of science, and other matters in the report were touched upon. Mr Hall had remindod them that the Canterbury Oolloge had the subject of a school of teohnicol science under consideration, and the deputation had therefore suggested that a letter should be written to tbe chairman of the Board of Governors, asking them whether the College intended taking up this matter, and if so under what conditions the publio would be permitted to participate in its advantages. The deputation had brought under Mr Hall's notice the recommendation of the Commission that some practical man or men of business should be appointed to inquire into and report to the Government upon the working of local industries and the method in which the disabilities under which thoy laboured might be removed in some way by Government assistance. Mr Hall seems d to think that this was a most valuable suggestion, and thought that the Industrial Associations throughout the colony might undertake this work. The deputation were requested by Mr Hall to lay the whole of the matters beforo him by letter, as the Governmen* wore about in a short time to consider the subject of local industries. He further assured them that the reportfof the Commission should not be overlooked.

In reply to Mr Hulbert, The President said that Mr Hall seemed to think that the Technical School of Science and Art would be practically free. Professor Bickerton suggested that the method to be followed would be to establish a department like that of Science and Art at home, though on a smaller scale. The president was authorised to forward a letter to the Canterbury College, asking them whether any and if so what steps were intended to be taken to establish a sohool of technical scienoe, aDd on what terms the public would be enabled to participate in its benefits. Mr Hulbert said that it was understood that the building now used as the Girls' High Sohool was going to bo devoted to the purposes of the school of technical science. Mr S. Smith wrote suggesting that artificers and tradesmen who had been engaged in industries not yet represented in the city ehould be asked to register their names at the oflke, so as to give information to capitalists who might desire to enter upon the development of local industries. It was resolved that the suggestion of Mr Smith be embodied in the advertisements of the association. Mr Charters mentioned that on Saturday nest ho would bo able to show specimens of locally made cement. Mr Hull reported upon the result of his inspection of tho action of Mr Howard's attaohment to Venetian blinds. The result of it would be, he thought, that thore would be a reduction in the price of Venetian blinds. Mr Howard had gone in with someone else in the trade, and intended to go into other branches, suoh as manufacturing door knobs and superior bolts. Professor Bickerton suggested that tho existing patent laws of New Zsalsnd Bhould be considered, with a view to seeing whether any amendment was necessary. The President said that this matter was under consideration. Mr W. S. King explained the case and economy with which patents were obtained in America. Mr Howland said that the two patents be had taken out had cost some £3O or £4O each.

Mr Charters mentioned that the patent for their Btraw binder had coat »ome £6B.

Mr H. Kirk suggested that the association should impress on the Government the necessity for oarrying local products on the lines at a lower rate than imported articles of a similar olass. This was rendered necessary by large contracts being out for drain pipes, &o. The President said that this matter had been brought under the notioe of the Premier by the deputation that day. Mr Kirk might rest assured that the association would continuo to urge this matter. Several accounti were passed for payment. The meeting then adjourned to the second Wednesday in October at 4 p.m.