IRON AND STEEL WORKS. Important Colonial Manufacture.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 217, 27 August 1887, Page 1

IRON AND STEEL WORKS. Important Colonial Manufacture.

Dunedin, August 23. Fully 200 persons went out from town yesterday, including the Premier and Sir J. Vogel, to witness the formal opening of Messrs Smelhe's Iron and Steel Works. The plant is very largo, including forge with furnaces, shears, and an extensive apparatus for the manufacture of Bessemer steel rolling mill, and tho largest steam hammer in the colony, striking a blow of 30 tons. The \isitors witnessed the manufacture of scrap or waste iron to bars or rails 14 to 15 feet long, which were cut by the shears as easily as a bit of cloth, and rolled by the rolling mill into any desired shape. The steel mill was not at work, but some of the produce was on inspection. The | Premier proposed " Success to Messrs ■ Smellie," and pointed out the importance of using waste products. Mr Smellie, in replying, said they were induced to bring out retort works through a pamphlet'by the late ■Mr Macandrew. He was sure that they could turn out better and cheaper iron than imported. Sir J. Vogel also spoko on the importance of local industries. He said that u hile witnessing the drawing out ' of red hob iron rails, the idea struck him .that it Avould be a good thing if those who were "sitting on rails" had to do so on these red hot ones, as they would soon have to declare on ono sido or the other. A number of dthor *p oko in reference to the importance eriaking of Messrs Smellie.