INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2699, 1 December 1882, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

An ordinary meeting of the committee of the above association was held last evening. Present—Mr A. G. Howland (in the chair), Messrs T. O. Kelsey, E. H. Banks, H. B. Kirk, M. Sandstein, H. Curlett, F. Jenkins, J. B. Sheath, D. Eeese, E. Toomer, B. J. Hale, E. G.-Ford, J. L. Scott and L. Bergh. Mr Smith was elected a member of the committee.

A letter was received from Mr A. E. Kirk, tendering his resignation as a member of the committee, on aacount of his departure for Temuka. The resignation was accepted with regret. The secretary read a table showing the attendance of members at the meetings of the committee. It appearing that Mr W. Neighbours had not attended any of the meetings of the committee, the chairman declared his seat vacant. The Chairman nominated Messrs P. Jones and E. D. Thomas td fill two vacancies on the committee. The nomination was seconded by Mr Sandstein. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, stating that it had already been announced that if persons desired to send exhibits to the Amsterdam Exhibition space would be applied for, but that the Government did not propose to go to the expense of having New Zealand represented. A letter was received from the Eeefton Eailway League, stating that a practical route for a West Coast railway could be obtained by going over the Spencer mountains by way of Cannibal Gorge. A description of the route by Mr Gardiner, engineer, was also received. Both communications were ordered to be acknowledged with thanks.

Mr Gray, analytical chemist, wrote, stating that the analysis of bone dust commenced by him had been discontinued at the request of Mr Moorhouse. »

A letter was received from Mr T. C. Moorhouse, of the Belfast Chemical Works, complaining that while there was a duty of 20s a ton on brimstone, sulphuric acid, of which he was a manufacturer, was admitted free. This made it impossible for him to compete successfully with the foreign manufacturer. He also complained of the railway charges on the conveyance of bones. They were totally at variance with the published scale. The letter was handed to the representatives of the Press with a view to publication.

A discussion took place on the subject of the railway tariff, members pointing out instances in which the rates were still excessive.

The Chairman suggested that a deputation should be appointed to wait upon the Minister for Public Works on the subject of the railway tariff, the manufacture of rolling stock, and other matters. Mr Kelsey moved —" That the president and Messrs W. S. King and E. W. England be appointed members of the deputation." The motion was agreed to, the names of Messrs Scott, Kirk and Jenkins being added.

The President moved the following resolution :—" That this association request the Government to have the rolling stock for the railways made within the colony, that we may retain some of the borrowed money in the country, so that a larger population may be profitably employed, and so be able to assist in paying the interest on our national debt." The consideration of the motion was deferred until next meeting. Mr J. B. Sheath, chairman of the local industries committee, reported that on making inquiries the committee found that the statements made in the letter of Mr Theo. Doyle, lithographic printer, were not borne out by facts, and that the trade was in a very satisfactory state. The thanks of Jthe committee were given to Mr Sheath for the trouble he had taken in the matter, and it was decided that Mr Doyle's letter be received. The President reported that the committee appointed for the purpose had met Mr Jacobsen, junior, on the subject of the alleged discovery of diamonds by his father, but that he had not given any information in addition to that already furnished by Mr Jacobsen, senior. A letter was read from Mr H. Kellar, illusionist, stating his belief that the specimens produced by Mr Jacobsen were genuine diamonds, and offering to invest his all in the speculation. The President gave an account of a previous test of a diamond discovered in the Malvern district by Mr E. Ford about twelve years ago. • Mr Ford described the particulars of his prospecting trip .in the Malvern district, which had the appearance of being good diamond country, and described the character of the stone he found, and the evidence which led him to believe that it was a diamond.

The President explained that when Mr Jacobsen's specimens were submitted to Dr. Hector, there was included amongst them a diamond taken from an earring, and Dr. Hector pronounced them all to be quartz. Mr Sandstein said it was extremely difficult to test diamonds scientifically.

The President said Mr Jacobsen undertook that if the bonus were offered by the Government he would, within a week afterwards, produce a thousand diamonds like those he had exhibited to the association.

Mr Ford said the geological indications of the country he had prospected were similar in every respect to those described by the best writers on the siibject.

The President remarked that Mr Ford had a very interesting and valuable collection of stones and gems, and had devoted a great deal of attention and study to the subject, so that considerable weight should be attached to his opinion. Mr Reese thought, after the evidence offorded both by Mr Jacobsen and Mr Ford, the association should request the Government to offer a bonus for the discovery of a payable diamond field. He moved a resolution to that effect. Mr Banks seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr Sandstein, and carried after slight discussion. The sub-com-mittee, in conjunction with the secretary, were instructed to prepare information to be forwarded to the Government on the subject. A paper was read by Mr Banks on the desirability of some alteration in the method adopted of judging the local and other manufactures at the Agrieultm-al and Pastoral Association's annual shows. He moved—" That the sub-committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association appointed to select judges for classes connected with local industries should be respectfully requested to confer with this committee on the subject, with the view of obtaining experts in every class where possible at some cost where advisable, and the selecting of persons who, by their special fitness, would be the best able to give a correct opinion of the relative merits of the exhibits."

Mr Sandstein seconded tlie resolution, which was carried, and a copy ordered to be forwarded to the Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

On the motion of Mr Keese, seconded by Mr Sheath, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Banks for his paper. On the suggestion of Mr Kirk, it was resolved to apply to the Government for copies of the "Gazette" and " Hansard," to be laid on the table for the use of members.

Mr Scott drew attention to the necessity of the association taking some steps to encourage technical education by arranging for the delivery of lectures during the winter months. He thought this was a matter which it was the duty of an Industrial Association to take up, and he hoped members would take it into consideration before next meeting. Mr Federli attended the meeting, and gave some interesting information on the subject of sericiculture. His experiments during the last two years had been most encouraging. He had amongst his collection a breed of silkworms which had made the Italian silk celebrated, but which, owing to disease, had entirely died out in Europe. These worms had been presented by a lady in Victoria. Specimens of the coeoon and of the silk were produced by Mr Federli, and the superiority of the product from the New Zealand silkworm was most marked. With regard to food, it had been proved that the proper kind of mulberry tree would grow very well indeed in Canterbury, and it remained in leaf for seven months out of the twelve. People should be encouraged to plant these trees, which should be imported for them. Mr Westenra had done this to some extent, and he would suggest that it was the duty of the association to undertake the work on a large scale. A supply of the proper kind of tree could be obtained from New South Wales for from Is to Is 6d, at the age of three or four years. The rose leaf mulberry tree was the best kind.

After some discussion the consideration of the subject was deferred until next meeting, a vote of thanks being passed to Mr Federli.

Accounts to the amount of .£9 18s were passed for payment. The meeting then adjourned.