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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2585, 4 July 1881, Page 2

Several contributed articles have appeared in ’.this journal on the manufacture of cement. . The subject is one of great industrial importance. The value of the fcement imported into this colony amounts to between fifty and sixty thousand pounds annually, and there is certain to be an increased demand for the article. In all the large centres of population, wooden building are 'rapidly giving place to those of brick and stone. Even in country districts it may be expected that timber in the erection of buildings will be superseded by more substantial and less 'inflammable materials. Hence it will be seen that the manufacture of cement is a subject which will every year assume larger importance. Great and laudable efforts are being made to provide a market for the surplus live stock of New Zealand by the means of the frozen inept trade. But in the pioduction of cement, the market is at our own doors. In fact we are paying large sums of money annually for a commodity the constituent materials of which are, so to speak, under our own feet. The process of manufacture is not involved. There is no need to obtain experienced men from the Old Country to superintend the operations, nor is there any need to import a body of skilled workmen. The preliminary expense for plant would be small compared to the value of the industry. It only requires a start to be made. Of course the important point is, are the requisite materials to be found in accessible places in this colony.' That question has been satisfactorily answered by Professor Bickerton and Mr Gray, of the Canterbury Cqflqge, who made an analysis of materials obtained from this provincial district, and the result was the materials submitted contained all the constituents in exact proportion of Portland cement. Mr Stansell, a gentleman residing in Christchurch, has given much attention to the subject. In the paper written by him which appeared in Saturday’s issue, he appears to favor the “ dry ” process of manufacture. If we remember rightly, the Germans adopt the “dry” process, and the German product is considered superior to the English. But that is a technical matter which must be left to the judgment, of those better experienced than ourselves. It is the commercial and industrial aspect of the subject to which we wish to direct the attention of the public. The question is one which intimately concerns the settlers of the Timaru district. Cement enters very largely into the construction of the Breakwater. It is obvious if the article can be secured at greatly under present prices, the more extensive will be the nature of the harbor works. Hitherto, the ruling price of cement may be put down at £o per ton. Some time ago there was a movement in Christchurch for the manufacture of cement from materials found at the Malvern Hills. Calculating the cost of production on the most reliable basis it was found that the locally manufactured article could be placed on board ships at Lyttelton at £2 10s per

ton, including the railway carriage over sixty miles. Good authorities state that all the materials are to be found in South Canterbury for the manufacture of the best Portland cement. It is called “ Portland ”no matter where manufactured to distinguish it from Homan and other cements. Now, if the industry were established here, it is evident that cement could be turned out at a remarkably low price—at such a price as would at once shut out the imported article. No protective duty will be required to foster the industry. The cost of carriage is relatively great to the cost of production, and thirteen thousand miles give an enerraeus advantage to the local manufacturer. It is astonishing that more enterprise has not been exhibited in the matter. There is no industry which would give a better return on the outlay of capital. However, attention is being directed to the matter, and the gentlemen who have brought the subject before the public through the medium of the Press have done a good service to the colony. It certainly is folly that some sixty thousand pounds a year should be sent out of the country for cement, when as good an article could be locally produced for half the money, to say nothing of establishing a permanent source of employment.