COAL AND IRON.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1330, 2 November 1872, Page 4

COAL AND IRON.

KeviewingtheroportoftheParliaroontiiry Committee on Colonial Industries, the " Wellington Independent " says : — The question of the development of the coalfields, a most important one to the Colony, is the first touched upon. A great deal of evidence has been taken, and though the committee havo every reason to entertain the most sanguine hopes of the ultimate success of this class of enterprise, they recommend that only a moderate amount of assistance should be granted, and that is only done wi h the view of ascertaining whether the production of coal can be continued on a large scale over a number of years As tha Brunner mines cannot be worked «ith any advantage without a railway to the port of shipment, the construction of such a railway is recommended. Farther explorations are al o advised before any considerable expenditure is incurred iv establishing a permanent place of shipment. Indeed the committee generally recommend great caution in the way in which assistance is meted ont, although they are of opinion that we ought very soon to not only supply our own wants but to become exporters of coal. . Notwithstanding the spiritualistic declaration mode toMrMacanderew, that New Zealand contains more gold than iron, the committee are convinced that payable iron stone and ore exists in various parts of tho Colony, and in view of the recent fluctuations in the iron market in Europe, thoy have no hesitation in recommending a bonus of LSOOO on the production of 1000 tons of pig iron ; while a bonus of LIOOO is recommended for the production of the first 100 tons of steel from the titaniferous sand of Taranaki.