The first social gathering in the southern hemisphere of the employers of an industry of so much importance as paper manufacturing, which may now fairly rank among the most important branches of manufacturing industry in New South Wales, took place on Saturday last at Rosedale, near Liverpool. The picnic was given by Mr. Murray, paper manufacturer, to the workpeople and their friends in connection with the paper mills. The party numbered nearly 300. The occasion was the marriage of Mr. Murray's daughter. The weather was fine, and all that could be desired, and a more beautiful place could not have been selected. Cricket matches, foot races, and all sorts of outdoor and manly sports were well arranged, and handsome prizes were awarded. Luncheon was served in an extensive tent tastefully decorated.

After ample justice had been done to the luncheon, Mr. Murray, who occupied the chair, proposed the usual loyal toasts. The Mayor of Liverpool then proposed the toast of the day, "The Health of Mr. and Mrs. Murray and Family" in a few well-selected words. He also took the opportunity to testify to the great benefit the paper works had been to the district and to the labouring people in it. This was very apparent in the town itself, with its large and well-filled stores, as compared to what it was before Mr. Murray settled in the district.

Mr. Murray, in reply, thanked the Mayor and his guests for their kind attendance that day, and the workpeople for their uniform respect and attention to the different works they had been engaged in. As it would be interesting to those who were associated with him in the works to know something of their progress during the past nine years, and as he might fairly claim to be the founder of the news printing paper manufacture in the Southern Hemisphere, he had collected a few facts in connection with it. During the period named, 8,500 tons of paper, principally for news printing, had been made and supplied to the leading journals in Australia; 40,000 tons of coal had been used in the manufacture; £ 50,000 had been paid in the purchase of rags, which to a great extent was a waste article in the colony; £ 45,000 had been paid in wages, principally at Liverpool; £ 28,000 had been paid for railway carriage and freights, principally to Government railways; 4,500 tons of straw had been used; and last, although not the least of colonial production, he had trained several apprentices to the trade, of whom he would not be ashamed were they to be placed in the best paper mills in Europe. Large as these sums appeared, they were small in comparison to what we might expect to see. Ninety-five tons of news printing paper were used weekly in New South Wales at the present time, and the district of Liverpool was the most favourable in Australia for its manufacture. We now might fairly claim that papermaking ranked among the most important branches of manufacturing industry in the Southern Hemisphere. In this colony we grew in certain districts a straw which yielded a percentage and quality equal to the best Spanish Esparto which most of the fine printing papers were made from in England. Coal in the colony we had in abundance, at a moderate price, and the fine soft water in the Liverpool district was probably not to be equalled in the world for papermaking. Papermaking and its consumption was an unerring indication of the social and educational progress of a country, for it was obvious that the nation that read most would become the most intelligent and best informed. Some time ago he copied from the "Literary World" the averages per head of the following nations:- United States, 17 lb.; England, 11½ lb.; Germany, 8 lb.; France, 8 lb.; Italy, 3½ lb.; Spain, 1 lb.; and Russia only 1 lb. At the time he copied these averages, he was curious to know the average for New South Wales. He obtained from the Collector of Customs the weight imported, and, adding his own manufacture, he found that for our small population the average exceeded that of America.

Mr. Saunders, millwright at the works, replied to the toast in suitable language on behalf of the employees. The Rev. William Cuthbert, in proposing "Prosperity to the Paper Mills," endorsed every word that the Mayor of Liverpool had said. Mr. Robertson, manager at the works, in a neat speech, proposed "The Visitors." Mr. Bent, paper machinist, proposed "The Ladies." After a most enjoyable day every one got home safely, and highly gratified with the day's pleasure.

PARKES - MURRAY - March 21, at Forbesville, Liverpool, by the Rev. William Cuthbert, Varnay, only son of Hon. Sir Henry Parkes, K.C.M.G., to Mary Cameron, second daughter of George Murray, Esq., J.P.

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