Local Industries.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3548, 10 May 1880, Page 2

Local Industries.

A meeting- of gentlemen interested iv the fostering and encouragement of local industries was held this morning in the Borough Chambers. His Worship the Mayor presided, and there were also present—Messrs Brodie (County Chairman), Speight, M.H.R., McGowan, Hopkins, and Dr Kilgour, etc.

The Chairman said that he and Mi* Brodie had called the meeting, on the receipt of a telegram which intimated that the Commission were not likely to visit the Thames. It wais therefore the business of the meeting to decide what steps should be taken in case they did not come.

Mr Brodie 00 rising regretted the small attendance of the gentlemen interested in the mining industry. Mr Tinne, who was a member of the Comtnissiqti, had written expressing his doubts as to the probability of the Commission visiting the Thames. However, he thought they should come down and actually see for themselves what was needed to promote the interests of local industries. The duty of Is for every oOlbs of powder taken from the maguzinc was a great grievance, and required remedying. He was not aware what the special functions

of the Commission were, but he believed tbat; they were to find out what would be best for promoting local industry. Mr Speight: That's it Mr Brodie, continuing, said goldmining has a large claim ou the Government for consideration. The agriculturists down South hate been growing large quantities of grain, and exporting it home where it was sold at a loss. The wool sent home went into a stagnant market. AH these things must come to an end soon. Cattle had also been produced and sent down to i markets where there was little or no ! demand for them. There must be ac- j curate information obtained as to whether j gold existed at deep levels, say at 1000 i feet below the present levels. There was : a report which he had read that a i diamond drill had been used in prospecting operations over in Australia that was much recommended by Dr Hector, and he thought that the Government should take some steps to introduce the diamond drill into this colony. Should gold be known to exist at deep levels, it would add to the gold enterprise, and beneficial effects would be felt from the knowledge obtained, »11> over the colony, and the find of gold would make a market for the produce of the settlers. It may be said that goldmining was a private industry—so it was to a certain extent — but it was also a colonial industry, and as such should be assisted by the Government by all means in their power. The general impression among the Government and the Commission is that the goldmining is a secondary interest, and not ! one of the main sources of wealth to the colony. That was because they were not men connected with gold mines. Had they been men like Mr Pike, De Latour, or Speight, they would have recognised that the very existence of the Thames hung on the gold find. The Government had subsidised the River Boards in Canterbury. He thought it of the greatest necessity that the Commission should visit the Thames. He moved "That His Worship invite the Royal Commission to visit the Thames, and that the claims of the goldmining community and other industries, on them for assistance be put before them on their arrival." Mr Hopkins, after making a few remarks connected with the bee industry, seconded the resolution.

Mr McGowan said it would be better to appoint a committee to wait on the Commission in case they did come.

Mr Speight, M.H.R., said he was very much afraid that the Commission would not come to the Thames. The Government had always looked on gold mining as only being an industry of secondary importance. He proposed that a party of gentlemen be appointed to interview the commission.

Dr Kilgour hoped the commission would come. The gold field had been diminishing annually in Australia, and he was sorry the same fact existed in New Zealand. He thought Government ought to give them assistance—they had to some extent —in every way, and that it should aid them by all scientific means possible. The fact had been placed before t'nem in a very plain manner by Mr Brodie, and he hoped Jhat an effort would be made to resuscitate scientific investigations.

The resolution was then put and carried.

Mr Speight then moved " That in case the duties'of the Commission prevent their attendance at the Thames, the Chairman and Mr Brodie and three gentlemen connected with the mining industry, be appointed to lay the statement of affairs before the Commission."

Dr Kilgour seconded the resolution, which was carried.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.