1.—5

2

Friday, 20th May, 1887. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. Dargaville (Chairman), Mr. Bruce, Mr. Garrick, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Jones, Mr. Peacock. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. C. M. Luke, ironfounder, attended, and gave evidence, which was taken down by a shorthand reporter, was thanked, and withdrew. Mr. N. Reid attended, and, after some remarks from the Chairman, was requested to attend at some future day, of which due notice would bs given him. Bcsolved, That the boot, shoe, and leather industry be considered at the next meeting. The Committee then adjourned until Thursday, the 26th May, at 10.30 a.m.

Thuesday, 26th May, 1887. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. Dargaville (Chairman), Mr. Jones, Mr. Peacock. Owing to the pressure of other Committee meetings on the members present, the meeting adjourned sine die, without doing any business.

Wednesday, Ist June, 1887. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. Dargaville (Chairman), Mr. Bracken, Mr. Bruce, Mr. Jones, Mr. Peacock. The minutes of the previous meetings were read and confirmed. liesolved, That the correspondence selected by the Chairman be printed. Resolved, That the following report be presented by the Chairman to the House : " That the Committee report to the House that the time at their disposal has not permitted of their going fully into the subject, but they have taken some oral evidence, and have received much valuable information 'by means of correspondence, which is attached hereto ; and they venture to express a hope that their labours may be followed up by a similar Committee next Parliament." On the motion of Mr. Brace, a unanimous vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman, and the Committee then adjourned.

Thuesday, 2nd June, 1887. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. Dargaville (Chairman), Mr. Bruce, Mr. Garrick, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Peacock. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Peacock moved, That the Committee, on reconsideration, recommend that the correspondence on industries and manufactures be not printed this session. On the question being put, the Committee divided. Ayes, 3 .- Mr. Bruce, Mr. Garrick, Mr. Peacock. Noes, 2 : Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Hatch. Carried. liesolved, That the resolution be reported to the House, The Committee then adjourned sine die.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Thursday, 19th May. (Mr. J. M. Dabgaville, Chairman.) Mr. E. Seageb examined. 1. The Chairman.] You are engaged in the iron industry?— Yes. 2. This is a Committee for obtaining information as to what course should be adopted for stimulating and encouraging this industry. We should be glad to have you tell us in what direction our inquiries should go?—I may state that at the present time the iron industry is in a very languid condition from many causes. We cannot fully employ the workmen that are to be had. There are plenty of skilled workmen, but there does not appear to be a sufficient amount of work to keep them in employment, not at the present rate of wages, and considering the price we get for work done. 3. You say, then, the trade has been in a languishing state?— Yes; I do not remember it ever being so languid in Wellington. 4. What is the cause of that ? —lt' appears to be scarcity of work; that is, work at a price which we can undertake to do it for. We cannot employ men at any remunerative work. 5. Is that owing to stagnation in trade or to importation?—To importation in a great degree. A great many things are imported into Wellington which we can make here if we have a remunerative price. 6. What class of work do you refer to?— All bridge-work; all classes of steam-engines and boilers —boilers, I think, we can make as well in Wellington as they can be made in England, We have both the appliances and the workmen. 7. These articles are still being imported?— Yes; these articles are still being imported to a very large extent.