H.—22'

137

EIEE-ESCAPE. No. 196. Note by Mr. Commissioner Bain, 23rd April, 1880. Me. Eichaed Moeeis, of Waikiwi, near Invercargill, sends to the Eoyal Commission on Local Industries a rough sketch of a fire-escape which he has invented ; and is anxious to know if anything can be done in the way of giving him assistance to develop it, he being himself without means. A certificate from Mr. Dartnall, District Engineer, accompanies the sketch. J. Walker Bain.

Mr. W. W. Daetnall to Mr. Commissioner J. W. Bain, M.H.E. g IB) Public Works Office, Invercargill, 19th April, 1880. Having been asked by Mr. Morris, of Waikiwi, to inspect the new fire-escape invented by him, I would take the opportunity of stating that I have done so, and consider the machine deserves a fair and impartial trial and due consideration (from all who wish to foster local industries, and save life and property) on the grounds of its cheapness, lightness, and compactness. The machine should be put in the market at a cost of £5 to £5 10s. complete, and would not weigh more than from 401b. to 50 lb. The size when closed up in a box would be about 2 feet (5 inches long, 2 feet wide, and 15 inches deep; and when the machine is perfected it could be made much less. I consider it also quite safe for the purpose. It is not perfect, but, being so simple in its construction, can be improved easily. I have, &c, W. W. Dabtnall, District Engineer.

No. 197. The Caeteeton County Council to the Chairman of the Local Industries Commission, Wellington. Sib,— Council Chambers, Carterton, 18th May, 1880. I am directed by the County Council of Wairarapa West to acknowledge the receipt of your circular dated 17th March last, and to inform you that the Council is of opinion that "the best aid the Government of the colony can render local industries is by fostering quick means of communication with foreign markets —viz., England, Queensland, New Caledonia, and Fiji —thereby enabling the colony to dispose of its farm and grain productions, and the produce of its coal mii.es." The Council is of opinion that local industries are bound to establish themselves where the supply of food and fuel is large and cheap. lam further requested to inform you that the Council is not inclined toexpress any opinion upon direct aid to any particular industry. I have, &c, Coleman Phillips, Acting-Chairman.

THE EXHIBITION OP LOCAL INDUSTEIES AT CHEISTCHUECH. No. 198. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Chairman of the Commission on Local Industries. g IB Government Offices, Wellington, 27th July, 1880. I have the honor to forward to you the report of a Committee appointed by the Government to inspect the recent Exhibition of Colonial Industries at Christchurch. The details given in this document will, I am sure, be interesting to the members of the Eoyal Commission on Local Industries ; and I do not doubt it wilL be useful to them in reporting upon the very important subject referred for their consideration. I have, &c, The Chairman, Local Industries Commission!; John Hail.

No. 199. Eepobt of the Committee. Sir,— Christchurch, 24th July, 1880. The Committee appointed to examine the exhibits at the Exhibition of Colonial Industries at Christchurch have the honor to report that they visited the Exhibition on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 20th and 21st July, and were afforded every facility by the Chairman and members of the Exhibition Committee for prosecuting their inquiry. They found a large number of exhibits which were a gratifying evidence by themselves of the success which has so far attended the enterprise of local manufacturers, and a proof that many industries of great importance are already established here on the only secure basis —that, namely, of commercial profit as governed by the laws of demand and supply. They found also many exceedingly interesting exhibits, the results of experiments in industries which are yet in their infancy, but which seem likely before long to gain a footing in the country, and ultimately to take their place among the staple occupations of the people. The Exhibition was, further, adorned and rendered entertaining to visitors by a great variety of exhibits ■which were rather works of art or curiosities than industrial products, and upon which, therefore, the Committee presume the Government do not require them to report. They desire, before entering upon details, to express their high sense of the value of the Exhibition as a means of commending local industries prominently to the notice of the public, encouraging those who are engaged in them 18— H. 22.