COLONIAL PARCHMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 76, 24 May 1881, Page 4

COLONIAL PARCHMENT.

We have received several samples of parchment manufactured in this colony by Mr Thomas Collier, of Nelson. The quality of the specimens sub mitced to us appears to be good, the surface is smooth and even , and though we were not able to prepare the material with pounce, it took writing very readily. The processor manufacturing the parchment has been described to us to be, briefly, as follows :—After the removal of the wool, the skins are placed in a lime-pit, for the purpose of neutralising the natural grease. They are then strained upon natural frames, and the surfaces are scraped with a double-edged knife, of half-moon shape, to remove any particles of flesh, dirt, &c. Next the skins are sprinkled — on the flesh side — with chalk or slaked lime, and rubbed with pumice stone. On the "grain" side they .are rubbed without the use of the chalk or lime. The next operation is one requiring manipulative skill. ; A keen-edged circular knife is passed over the grain side of the skin, the Knife being moved in an oblique direction ' so far ..as. to pare away apportion,, leaving a perfectly smooth, surface. In the earlier part of the present month Mr Collier placed ; himself in communication with the Premier, and forwarded some parchment for his inspection. The samples were submitted to the Government store keeper at Wellington, „ jmd we believe a very favourable opinion was pronounced on them. The use of New Zealand manufactures should be encouraged by the Government as much as lies in their power, where quality and price are such as to enable them reasonably to do so. The annual issue of parchment from the Government stationery represents about -100 rolls, equal to about 6,000. skins of rSTTnches by 27, and 26 rolls', equal to 1,200 of 28 by 32 inches. These supplies are obtained iiom England,, and necessitate an annual expenditure of about £600. With so many boiling-down establishments an M&ft possess, throughout; the colony, and the abundance and cheapn^qp l^»hebj>- skins, We.' can see no reason why the parchment consumed in it sbodldl not ' be of local manufacture. Should Mr Collier therefar&^eweveVe and undertake the supply of parchment to.the Government, we have lit'le ddubt that not only will be secure a large amount of j business within the Colony* but that a luorative export trade with, the ma> terial would in time be established. — Marlborough Express.

The foreign demand for black walnut timber Is v.ery{ l&tge,- Agents fotf Englah manufacturers have recently been through lowa, Indiana, »and Miapari for the purpose of buying thi* wood, which a. quarter of A century ago was but little appreciated for any purpose. ' '-" "' ' ' The Family Herald, dated August 11, 1849, eovbMW*! tbeiollowjng paragraph t— " The Qt«jo settlement, New Zealand, whio'u twolyjs monthVago was a wildefnesa, now lioasti* 1 ©! » chnrch',' two hotels, a : Bohoo!, a wharf, and all the element! of cmlisatiocdown toksooisiy of Oddfelloiw, and a vi^ket club," . , Employment for Woitxs.-rU »■ a. carious fact that WjOmen are employed at the" Penna^Hul stem* quarriot, near Paramatta, New Scotki Walet. They. .do. jb, oiselyjfre a*»e kinfr o| £ 1m» the warrsf , men, aj^ at»-ahl< 1 W earn \.£ W«ik.