IRON INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1271, 28 October 1911, Page 5

IRON INDUSTRY.

IRREGULARITIES AT LITHGOW, By Tclccraph-Prcss Association-Copyright Sydney, October 27. Tho report of the Royal Commissioner appointed to inquire as to tho suitability of New Soiitli Wales ores for iron and steel manufacture, the cost of production, and whether the Government's arrangement with, Messrs. Raskins, of tho Litligow works, is beneficial to the Government, finds that in a number of instances serious irregularities have been committed in the carrying out of contracts. Tho Commissioner condemns tho laxity of the Government officials and also tho present arrangement with Messrs. HosIrins. Ho is satisfied that, given modern equipment, pig iron could be produced in Australia at 545. a ton. Ho recommends that blast furnaces be constructed near tho seaboard. Tho Commissioner considers Messrs. Hoskins are undertaking an impracticable task in attempting to manufacture •steel rails under the existing agreement with tho New South Wales Government, lie estimates that it would cost a million and a naif to establish suitable iron and steel works. As a result of the report, Mr. Bnrrow, tho Government testing officer at Hoskins's works, has been suspended. EXTRAORDINARY ALLEGATIONS. (Rec. October 28, 0.20 a.m.) Sydney, October 28. Tho Steel Commissioner stated that Mr. Burrow had borrowed money from Mr. Hoskins, which ho did not repay, and had lived in one of Mr. Hoskins's houses, and still owed tho rent.

Mr. Hoskins, in replying to tho report, 6ays it is a political outrage, and only possible when there is an ulterior motivo in view. Ho declares that he has laid tho financial relations to sell up Mr. Burrow' before the Minister for Works, who promised to remove Mr. Burrow, and guaranteed that he. (Mr. Hoskins) would bo repaid.