NEW ZEALAND TITANIC STEEL AND IRON COMPANY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4403, 30 April 1875, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND TITANIC STEEL AND IRON COMPANY.

. i rr-+ 1 ' (From the "Tamnaki Herald.) The works of this company at the Hehui are gradually approaching completion. The furnace is nnished.'as is, also the casting-house, and in a few months, when the engine has been erected, we hope to have to record that the smelting: of the iron-sand-has proved a success. On Wednesday last; during, the stay of the b.s. Taranaki, Mr. Eraser (of Messrs. Fraser and Tihne, Auckland), and Mr. Weaver (the chief! engineer connected with/ Avon Waterworks' in Canterbury) came on shore for the purpose of seeing the progress made in the works, and after they had been shown over jthe place and : had thoroughly examined the furnace,' both expressed/themselves; in theihighest terms of commendation at the workmanship, and "considered that the cupola was built in a thoroughly substantial manner. Mr. Jack, the engineer itt charge, first took them into the"casting-house, a brickbuilding, 36ft. by 40ft., with wall _lßft. high. This is roofed injwith corrugated iron. This house is built on to the furnace, but there are openings left on each "side to let the smoke and heat out when casting, i The party 'next inspected the furnace;! the stack of which is 45ft. high. It is circular, and at the bottom, measures 30ft. in circumferance, whilst at,the top it is about 15Jft., being a Blope at the rate of siin. to the foot to the charging hole. At the foot of the furnace are four arches.' The one in the casting-house is 14ft. wide, and the same in height at the outside, gradually contracting as it runs in for about 4ft. to the inntt part, where it is! sft. There are three blast holes one at the back, near where the engine-house will be, and one on either side. The brickwork of the outside caso is five feet' six inches at the part round tho crucible, diminishing gradually till it reaches the top; where it is four feet. The inside is lined with' firebrick, imported from England specially for the purpose. The whole

of-the stack is-strongly braced by bands of three-inch iron. The furnace is now completely ready, and, as we have stated, it only remains for the engine to be erected, when operations will be able to be commenced. Mr. : Beaton has now finished his work, and with the publicly expressed opinions of such men as Mr. Eraser and Mr. Weaver, we are sure that the shareholders must be thoroughly satisfied that the work has been faithfully carried out according to contract.