I.M'LEOD'S TALC DEPOSIT

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 23 November 1916, Page 2

I.M'LEOD'S TALC DEPOSIT

THE following letter has been received by Mr Isaac McLeod, from Mr Chas. H. Holland, Metallurgical Engingeer, Auckland : — Dear Sir, —Your letter of November 10, 1916, to hand, and contents noted. You will agree with me that until I am acquainted with your talc deposit, I cannot furnish sufficient data to enable you to place the matter intelligently before your friends or the general public. Mr Beddoe, the Canadian Trade Commissioner, was quite correct when he gave you to understand that the profit per ton to be derive Nd from talc was a small one, nevertheless the Canadian talc miner, owing to his method of working, makes a comfortable sum annually. Perhaps you could adopt some of his methods, as no plant, or very little, is required. In Canada, the largest individual use (about 7000 tons when I was there last) is not open to you, and need not be discussed now. 3?alc is not affected by heat, frost, air, gases nor acid, and is tcerefore capable 9f being used in hundreds of ways where any of these qualities are called into question, such as steam-pipe coverings, wall planters, soaps, toilet powders, water-proof paints, adulterants, etc. As a pigment for the protection of iron, steel, wood and sandstone it is a new departure of great .importance and is especially valuable for the inside of eteel ships, bridges, foundries, and steelframe manufacturing plants. The value of the finished product depends chiefly on its physical properties, which, of course, determine the profits. Chemical tests are not used for grading. Most deposits contain more than one quality, but assuming that your material is workable, T. sh.ouUi say that the New Zealand market will keep you busy.— Yours faithfully, Ohas. H. Holland. [P-S. —Some talc companies »wn quite big plants. What I intended to say when speaking of Canadian talc miners, was that it may be possible for you to start in a small way and gradually work the business up.—C.H.H.]