The Taranaki Iron Sand.

Cromwell Argus, Volume II, Issue 98, 26 September 1871, Page 7

The Taranaki Iron Sand.

—o—- ( Wellington Independent.) An interesting experiment took place recently at Wellington, in the presence of several members of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives, and other gentlemen. The experiment, which was a test of the Taranaki iron sand, was conducted by Mr Smith, Government Armourer. Mr Smith put some of the ore. as it came out of the furnace, into a crucible, and the metal was soon a boiling liquid. Taking the crucible up, he poured the metal into two moulds lying ready beside him, and in a minute or two took out therefrom, a bar of steel and a hatchet-head. The steel was close in tecturo, and, with a little manipulation, was shown to be susceptibly of a high polish. Amongst the visitors were several well acquainted with blastfurnaces, and after a careful inspection of Mr Smith’s, they pronounced that lie had established the fact that the metal could be tapped out of a common blast-furnace. The separation of the metal is most completely effected, the slag being almost free from any metallic substance. We understand that Mr Smith intends mak ng hammers, chisels, drills, large ingots, &0., to illustrate the various properties of the steel made from the Taranaki iron sand. With the small sum placed at his disposal, he has, in seven weeks, and with many interruptions, achieved better results than the continuous experiments for two whole years of a firm at Taranaki, with an expenditure of £SOOO. The assistance voluntarily rendered him by five enthusiastic collaborateurs, is deserving of some tangible recognition, while Mr Smith’s persevcranco and ingenuity are beyond all praise. We presume Parliament, which is doing so much for flax, will not neglect a source of wealth still more important. It is likely the matter will bo referred to a select committee, and some immediate action taken.