Glass.

The impediments presented by high freights, over-importation of foreign goods, and scarcity of skilled labour apply to the glass-works industry equally with the manufacture of delf and china. The New Zealand glassworks are very few in number, and have been confined almost entirely hitherto to the manufacture of lamp-glasses and chimneys. Now, however, works are in course of construction at Kaiapoi for the manufacture of bottles, tumblers, medicine and soda-water bottles, besides lamp-glasses and other useful and marketable articles which should find a ready sale in the colony. Experimental trials have resulted in the successful production of articles of all the kinds enumerated. At Kaiapoi and at other places in the colony the requisite glass sands are found in abundance, page 25 which, when subjected to various chemical treatments, ought to produce not only inferior glass, but also the finer articles turned out by the trade in England. At Auckland there has been for some time past a small factory in existence, in which little or no sand was used, but old glass was melted down and blown. It is hoped that at Kaiapoi, before very long, there will be proper furnaces and melting pots or tanks, with skilled men possessing full knowledge of chemical appliances, and with practical experience of "mixing" and "fluxing." Then the experiment of manufacturing glass articles as a commercial speculation may be tried; and, when the works are in full swing, and proof has been given that the industry is adapted to the colony, the Government may be justified in coming to its assistance by offering a bonus.

At the same time, much must not be hoped from the industry for a long time to come. It would appear that even in Victoria the industry has not fulfilled expectations, or kept pace with the population, inasmuch as last year there were only five works, as against nine existing in 1881. Those five works gave employment to 187 men, and had £21,250 embarked in the machinery, plant, land, and buildings. Their out-put appeared to be about one-third of the imported glass and glassware. The industry would be a valuable one could it be successfully carried on in New Zealand, and the remarks of Dr. Hector upon the subject (Parliamentary Paper H.—15a.) are worthy of notice. He says, "The enormous importation of glassware and glass bottles, and the consequent abundant supply of broken glass for re-smelting, has made it almost unnecessary to make the glass from the raw material; but this abounds, of all qualities. The industry is worth the attention of any persons skilled in the trade that desire a fresh outlet, and could bring with them the necessary workmen."