SOUTH MALVERN TOWNSHIP.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1871, 21 February 1880, Page 3

SOUTH MALVERN TOWNSHIP.

The mineral wealth in and adjacent to this township readily accounts for its progress during the last twelve months. The houses are doubled in number in that time, and the residents have increased in a proportionate degree. This increase is mainly due to the erection of the extensive firebrick and pottery works of Messrs Ford and Ogden. The deposits of fireclay, red clay, and ganister, from iust above the Glentunnel bridge for several miles, is praotically limitless, and a very large area of each kind has been secured by the firm. The red day, from which is produced a brick of a very finished appearance, and one whicb, judging from the specimens already turned out, is likely to be used largely in ornamental building, is several hundred acres in extent, and has been tested by boring rods at different parts, shewing a bed of at least 10ft in thickness. This material is also specially adapted for the manufacture of Terra Cotta ware, the only preparation necessary being the use of the gtinding mills. This is in favorable contrast to the process necessary at the Stoke-upon-Trent Terra-Ootta Works, England, where it is found necessary to boil the clay and make it into slip. The term "ga lister " needs some explanation. It is thus described in "Iron," Vol. X., page 706 :—" Ganister is a dense silicious rock found in the coal measures interstratified with the clay, sandstone, and shale beds of that formation. It varies in color from dark or light grey to brown or reddish grey, owing to the pretence of a small quantity of carbonaceous matter and of oxide of iron, according as one or the other predominates. It is noteworthy that in the Sheffield district, where there is so large a demand for fire-resisting material, ganister of the finest quality is found. The composition of ganister is strictly analogous to that of Dinas clay." An extract from "Nimmo's Hand-book of Useful Knowledge—Metals, and their Uses," page 81, says :—" The converting vessel used in the manufacture of Bessemer metal is made of the be?t boiler plate, and lined with powdered ' ganister,' which is a silicious sandstone met with in the coal formation. This ' ganister ' is found to be the material best calculated to Btajid the intense heat created during the process of conversion." When mixed with clays it is found valuable in diminishing their tendency to contract on heating, or to assist in the lining of furnaces. The best fire bricks are usually composed of fireclay and ganister, while bricks wholly composed of ganister are made where an intense heat has to be contended against. Fireclay is so well known as to need no explanation. With respect to the coal in this neighboorhood, Messrs Sheath are now engaged in sinking a new shaft about 100 yards nearer the hills than their old pit, and it may reasonably be expected that in a few weeks favorable results will attend the operation. In olose contiguity to the abovo are the wellknown coal mines of Messrs Mcllraitb, at Glentunnel.

It is hoped that the direct Oxford-Temuka lino will pass through this district in preference to being taken across a barren tract of country. The praotical benefits to be conferred on the community at large ate deserving of every consideration being shown by way of direct communication —especially as no engineering difficulties have to be overcome. Only a very low saddle has to be crossed to carry the line from Whitecliffs into the Eakaia district. The religious wants of the township are cared for by the Baptists, who have erected a neat little church in _ the centre of the township, whilst a commodious fchool at Glentunnel provides for its educational needs.