AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 77, 22 June 1868, Page 151

AUCKLAND.

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

It is a good sign when public attention is exclusively given to the development of immediate resources. We have now in a course of progressive improvement four most important branches of native industry, viz., flax, gum, coal and gold. Wheat, we learn, is being sown largely in remoter districts for home consumption. The gold-field we know to be a mine of wealth, but we do not as yet know its extent. The same may be said of the coal-field at Kawa-kawa. Employ* ments more attractive have thinned the number of gum-diggers, but there should on this account be the greater chance of profit for those who remain at the occupation. It may perhaps be said that both gold-mining and coalmining require considerable physical prowess, and the conditions of such employment being successful are occasional hardships, aud the endurance to undergo them. But in gum-digging and fiax-dressing, the same physical strength is not requisite. Middle-aged then, or invalids, women and children are often, indeed nearly always, great sufferers through want of employment. The able-bodied may be presumed to have constant favor in the labor market. We receive from, various quarters advices of the progress being, made in flax cleaning. We. were informed by a gentleman from Waiuku, only two days ago, that in his neighbourhood this industry is prosperous, and that average hands can make 255. a-week, and good ones from 30s. to J 22. We understand that Mr Price has more orders. for his flax machines than he can execute for some time, and lately we heard the same from the head of an engineering firm in Auck-

land. The last phase which this industry has assumed gives additional promise of success and usefulness. Mr T. Macfarlane, of the firm of Henderson and and Macfarlane, has resolved to make the experiment of giving employment to a number of women and children,-providing them of course with the necessary implements and house accommodation, rent free. The circumstances are. in the highest degree favourable to test the efficacy of this new industry in absorbing either, tbe surplus or the infirm labour in the market. Six families have'been recommended by the . Relieving Officer to Mr Macfarlane, and these will proceed at once to Henderson’s Mill. Should these be enabled to employ themselves profitably, there should be an elid to any system of poor relief, except for sick, or totally destitute, or aged persons. Mr Macfarlane, we think, deserves the thanks, of. the public for the suggestion he has made. The, most efficacious charity ; is that which enables the poor man to work out his own deliverance from poverty. —New Zealand Herald, 12th June.