ASHBURTON LOCAL INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2073, 15 October 1880, Page 3

ASHBURTON LOCAL INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION.

At a meeting of the committee of the above association the report of the sub-coma mittee, appointed to consider the manufacture of beet-root sugar, was submitted. It stated that it would be impossible, with the information at hand, to report definitely on the subject, but that the committee had oome to some general conclusions. The money sent last year out of the colony for sugar amounted to £509,110, on which £85,738 duty was paid. In the existing financial condition of the colony there was no likelihood of the duty being reduced ; it Was more probable that the former duty of one penny per pound would be re-imposed, and it was not likely that an excise duty would be placed on sugar manufactured in the colony. The figures showed that there need be no anxiety felt regarding a market for the sugar, provided a good article could be manufactured, as it would require a very large establishment to supply even a fraotion of what the colony required for its own consumption. After making allowance for higher rate of wages, &c, the sub-commit-tee had conoluded that sugar could be manufactured in the colony cheaper than the imported article. Such an establishment could not be started without a capital of £50,000, and the sub-committee suggested the advisability of enlisting the assistance of the English capitalist. The soil and climate around Ashburton were eminently suitable for the growth of beet, but the people appeared to take no interest in the matter. A circular had been addressed to a number of gentlemen engaged in agricultural pursuits, asking them whether they would put down come beet seed which had been prooured by way of an experiment, but no reply to any of these circulars had been received. Inquiries had been set on foot in Europe with the view of obtaining further information, and as soon as that was reoeived the sub-committee would report more ful'y on the subject. In the discussion whioh ensued, it was stated that several farmers had reserved pieces of land for the cultivation of beet root, and that the seed had been obtained. The sub-committee appointed to report on flax reported that that industry, if properly oarried out, would prove very remunerative. Mr C. Braddell had made arrangements for sowing a quantity of flax, and intended sending some of the fibre to Ireland, with the view of ascertaining its value. Both reports were adopted. Mr Gundry said that splendid specimens of anthracite ooal bad been found in Mount Somers, and moved—" That the secretary make inquiries as to the practicability of obtaining the Government boring machine for the purpose of prospecting the Mount Somers ooal seams." The motion was carried. The meeting then adjourned.