CEMENT MANUFACTURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2171, 9 February 1881, Page 3

CEMENT MANUFACTURE.

An adjourned meeting of those interested in the above industry in connection with the proposals made by Messrs Ingram and White, took place at the offices of the Industrial Association yesterday at 3 p.m. Present—Mr K. Allan (in the chair), Messrs J. P. Jameson, W. Pratt, W. W. Charters, O. Peez, and Brown.

The President having briefly stated the object of the meeting, called on Mr J, P. Jameson for detailed information on the question. Mr J. F. Jameson feared that pressure of business would have prevented his attendance, and ho therefore jotted down a few remarks, which he would read. The visit of two members of the committee to Oxford had satisfied them of the existence of the necessary ingredients for the manufacture of cement, and that especially in the case of the chalk, very large deposits are available. The clay did not inspire the same confidence as to extent or purity, but there is no doubt that if not in the immediate neighborhood of the chalk, there is abundance of the right kind at no very great distance. The property is situated about eight miles from the Oxford Bailway Station, but should the proposed central railway be made it will nrobably reduce that distance to one half —i e., to four miles. With regard to fuel, timber alone is available in the district, and strong fears are entertained by Professor Bickerton and Mr Grey of the suitability of charcoal, and the Hon. E. Richardson is equally im pressed with the idea that, even if snitabh the cost of production would be fatal to is profitable use for burning cement. To ne coal would entail cartage for a distance of about fifteen miles, and form a largs itenr in the cost of the manufactured artich. Vith regard to Messrs Ingram and While’s 'ffer, which was to allow a company to worl the deposits on payment of a royalty cn the production of the cement, it will b* neessary to convince investors that the article .'an be produced in successful competition wth the imported article, both in quality aid price. The experiments made by Messrs Inpram and White have no doubt been numerour and well conducted, with some expense, lut the result has not been samples of sufficient perfection or bulk to ensure undoubted sonfidenoe. That this result can be obtained by a more complete and extensive test is quie probable, and the hopeful expectations miy bo fully realised, but the data on which t> make calculations not being yet to haid, it is impossible to estimate with aiy degree of reliability the cost of prediction. It will require that a suitable kiln be used, and the various available fuels tested, with the quantities consumed, and a sufficiently large quantity of cement produced to secure a full trial of quality. This will involve expenditure, but the materials at hanl give so much promise of success that tlere need be no difficulty in interesting t, sufficient number of promoters to cover the oosl of the proposed initial experiments. It migit forcibly be concluded that the manufactoretould be conducted at a minimum expense at some spot on the railway, or even in the neighborhood of Christchurch or the Port but very closely calculated exeriments con decide this. The industry is of largo and glowing interest, and it is very desirable that slips should be taken without delay to estallishit. Messrs Ingram and White being ths fimt to discover the existence of the raw materials and place an offer before the publii, might reasonably claim the very earnest tonsideration of any company that might be firmed for the manufacture. Ho concluded by moving—“ That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that experiments on i larger scale than hitherto attempted in the manufacture of cement should be mad< with the view to the formation of a company for the establishment of the industry, and* that the committee already formed, with power to add to its number, be requtsted to take the necessary steps to give effect to this resolution.” Ur Wm. Pratt seconded the resolution, which was unanimously agreed to. The following document was then drafted, and several signature) appended thereto:— “ Manufacture of cement —As it will be necessary to raise funeb to meet the expenses of the experiments, it is proposed to ask the promoters to guarantee a small sum each, which sum shall, in the event of the establishment of a compaiy, be treated as a call on account of shares, and a bonus bo added for the risk incurred.” The proceedings than terminated.