"SEND-OF" TO MR. E. M. SMITH, M.H.R.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 57, 28 March 1901, Page 2

"SEND-OF" TO MR. E. M. SMITH, M.H.R.

That a fhticg "send-off" should be accorded to Mr. E. M. Smith oa the ! eve of his departure to England on a mission fraught with the greatest importance to the district, was only to be expected, and it would have been greatly to the discredit of bis supporter* had they allowed him to set out without some manifestation of their interest in the work he has ia hand. It was, therefore, only natural that a social entertainment should have been arranged, and oa Wednesday evening thpre wag a foregathering of citizeoa at the sapper-room of the Drill Hall to wish Mr. Smith success in his forthcoming mission. A very satisfactory spread had been provided by Mr. West, and the earlier part of the proceedings were deveted to doing justice to the gwd things on the table. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. E. Dockrili) presided, having on his right the guess of the evening and Mr. Berry, and on his left the Hon. Jeonings, amongst the other guess being many prominent supporters of tho member for the district. Tn« Mayor briefly propo«ed the health of "The King" which was duly honoured and a verse of the National 1 Anthi-ni fung. Apologies were malo for the absence • of tuo Hon. Tbos. K l!y (who wrot» wishing Mr. Smith every success), for the Hob. A. J. Cadmaa, the Town Clerk and others.

In proposing the toast of the evening, H s Wtrship said they were all aware that they were met together to siy gool-bye and good luck to Mr. Smith on his voyage to Eagl«nd. After r;fening to Mr. Smith's early and persisted efforts on bebalf of the ironsand industry he mentioned the erectioa of the works formerly at the Henui, the failure of which wbs due to but one cause -the want of capital—a misfortune that happened to many excellent enterprises, Discouraging as was that failure Mr. Smith's indomitable pluck and energy made him stick ta his project and he subsequently went to England to float' a Company. According to, the bgst information available, bad nqi Mr. Smtyhjallen into bad hands he woald h>ve been successful. It was no unusual occHrrenqo for strangers not tp fall on their feet, yet the experience was painful. Ih all other respects judging by the manner in which Mr. Saslth had been received i» England by the loading men engaged ia the iron industry and the tastimouies he h*d received, tbe mission was very success.ul. He was cow going there under more favourable dr. umstonees, as coal ja the Old Country was dearer aisd there WfiS a considerable advaece in the prioa of iron, T n s wll <i uc stion * mm g Gnpiva'iats was ns to whetmT J!*" 18 ff &B a margin fo? profits and under existing circumstances that qtargjn waa amply assured.' As Mr. Smith was going with Mr. Cadraan, who was so highly respected, there was an additional guarantee of success. Then, again, the Government Iwd at length realised the importance of the industry and had enteed into the mattor in a way that no otljsr Government had done. He believud tfreir confidence would ke rowarded in every sense of the word by the result which awaited the erection of the works. By their action c.pitdists would be encouraged to invest in the enterprise, and many difficulties which previously existed would be removed. He waß sure everyone wished Mr Smith .complete success, and that there would ben total absaice of those puny contemptible ac's which on Mr Smith's previous mission to Erglaad were display ad by a certain ;insignificant section of the community I wi: h a view of thwarting his efbrts to benefis th<> district. That so many , were present that evening to show their appreciation of Mr Smith's efforts was ft good omen of that success f<r »vhich he h«d so long striven and which now appeared booming in the very near futur». (L-uii applause). Tbe tornt wrs drunk with great enthusiasm and with musictl honours,

Mr Smith, on rising to respond, recoiled a great oration. After expressing his thanks for the heaity rocaption cceorded to the toast, ho reviewed tho history of his connection with vhe irou sand development from the timo of landing here until tho prosont <lay, referring to the attemps m:de to produce iron, and giving tha reasons for the failures wbioh had ocfured and tho constant struggles he had gons through to establish the industry on a j&rqper basis. He rnmin'led those present of the results be had o'-itainei in smelting and the high opi/\;.-ii! wl;ich had I eew expressed by tiie ea-''j'n ; : wciontiQc experts in tho i wo<-ld of the v.-ilue ef the pioductof the ,T*.Mimiki ioDsnnd. He also referred to tho 00.l mid lime ah Mokau aiid to the v;\*t mineral w-wlth in the Kaittki Ran«e , <hrt of which'. that <»!-• was falcinp Ho-ne wou'd sur- '. prise the world, With regard to the '

)*l, ho considered that its rral im-Jt ortf.nce and valuo was not ho rcuehj' :v house an.*} stp>.<xi purpises ft:> fori laslticfl iron. Re referred in terra;'! ■ t deep .?:■!ititiule to tho <-.'.. v m; ;-L-.icb Hs' fe-;*»<?» h4'.l ral'.io.'. rYrci.di liui, and expre h .'isi ria fulk'stj onfiddHco that his prsssivt »rip tould be .crowDod with yc"-,Tj>l«t.« 'Ucoess. HanrJag an acquaintance with ho iron industry almost from th» iradlo amd hn.viug devoted his life to ihe 3tudy of u iet*lluryy, he felt justified ia bavins; t!uat perfect; faith in the raccess whiobi he fo'.t was bow arriving is a fitting -.finish tj his labours. 'l'oiay the btsfc 8.8. H. iron fetehed £lB i tea, a prieo which showed that the best gold ratines in existenoe sank into insignificance compared with the . wealth derivable from the iron and I coal industries of Taranaki. He do- j precated the policy of sending away for what could, be profitably be manufac- • tured in the colony, and considered the time bad arrived when Now Zealand steel and iron wonld take their placeon the markets of the world and this colony would be regarded as in tho vanguard of progress. No one could realise the quantity of sand awaiting treatment unles3 they saw it, fo v themselves— it was illimitable. He intended placing at the disposal of the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain Bix swords of honour a. mfactured from Taranaki steal as gi-Lsto some of the leading soldiers who had named laurels in fighting for tho Empire in South Africa. He was leaving the Colony with friendly feelings towards everyone, havißg cleaned the slate of all the old prejudices against himself, and he was starting forth to help to make this Colony the Greater Britain of the South, and by so doißg was only performing his duty. In conclusion he reiterated his thank* for the reception given to him and hoped on his return that he weuld be welcomed and congratulated in his sucoess. (Loud applause). The Mayor next proposed the toast of " Tie Ironsand Itdustry," conpled with tho name of Mr D. Berry, wh», he said, had overcome all difficulties and to whom, with Mr Cad man, the I success ef the present enterprise would |be due. The toast was received most I warmly and drunk with musical \ honours.

Mr, Barry (who was loudly applauded) said that for 10 years he hid been Fcsptical nt to the venture, chiefly owing to the reports he heard as to what was put in the furnaces that had been erected, but he had subsequently 8690 the sand turned into iron, aud had been converted. At the end of last session Mr. Oadraan had interviewed him on the matter, stating that he had been partly convinced by Mr. Smith, hut wished for further information. After taking the honorable gantloman to the beach and showing him the extent of the sand both at high aud low wa*er as well as testing i»s depth, Mr. Oadman was convinced as to the vast quantity available. They discussed the subject for four hours and then in reply to Mr. Oadman's inquiry whether he (Mr. Berry) was prepared to show his faith in the enterprise by putting money into it, he expressed his willingness ts do go aid they agreed that £2OOO weuld be required to defray the o>st of placing a Company on the market. They had obtained leases of the Faranaki and other benches, purchased leases and rights at gethi-r p'iisß-Bi«d i-even optiouv. The promoters did not intend to ask for very much cash but would he content with sufficient to pay far preliminary expenses and the balance io paid-up shares. A considerable portion of capital would be raised in the colony and the remainder it was hoped to obtain oa the London market. Should it be found impossible t» float the company in England, they had other oh*no<B both in Germany and America, ea pecially in the latter country. He had a letter from a gentleman in Annriaa stating that work-* tbere in which he was interested had cost XI 50,000, asd that thi* amount, or much more if necessary, could be raised on their being satisfied with the prospects of the venture. He *ould, howevir, much rather fee en Eogluh colony hero than an American, but sooner than coma back unsuccessful America would be tritd. It was calculated that when" toe works we r e Started there would be within two ytMB about 5,000 baeds required, and that was a good reason why it was better to have English capiat in the concern. ft \a woll known said Mr Berry that Mr Oadman is an extremely cautious man and this is illustrated by the faof that fop the last six months hi has bean quietly collecting dita from all sources, with the result that new he is mow sanguine if pceablo than I am-so much 91 tint he cannot conco ; ve failuie jo bo possible. Mr Smith failed through havingj|to go to broker'*, but this ceurao will not bo necessary now. No time would be lost and it had boiin arranged that as soon ns tho Company was floated the buildings would bercetad in readiness to receive tho machiiiery wlmn it a'riveii. i Before concluding he i-wtel tint he had been askrd to say who were the partners in the promotion, but he i was not liberty to sive ths informa- : tion. He could say, however, that •he i Now Zealand Government warn not hj; ■

the venture, hut that the whol* cost rested upon those who had taken tbo matter up. (Applause). Tho Hon, Mr, Jennings, in propping (he health of tb.aOha : rumn, ulluded to Mr. Smith's grit in sticking to hit) project so perridtoctly, arid referred in warm terms of praise to the successful way in which the Mayor had provided over the entertainment, Iho toast wareceivad with acclamation. Messrs. R. Cock and Levi Sirtea also spoke on the topic of the evening.

After the Chairman had returned thank*, the proceedings were brought to a close by singing "Auld Lang Syne"

During the evening the proceedings were enlivened with some capital songs by Mossro, E. and L, Smith, Sarten, IS. Hill, McOomisb, Donuhue, Hon. •Jennings, and others. Mr. Scaniiii presided most ably at the piano, havi:t); readily cous-'uted to give his services ai a moment's notice, earning the well dea-ii'ved expressions of thanks whiob the Mayor suitably/*ijj

PRESENTATION TO k... SMITH,

On behalf of Mi' Jobn Courtney aad

lio ofcbor men employed at the U*ilviy Works, who w<;ro cismigsed by tie ?Dt'ornan but through Mr Smith's good )i'iw» and explanation v ere wiinntatM, b:o Mayor in the course of the o*tni..Z routed Mr Snrth with a set o\ :;.)!d Htuuc and greamitone (deero links in testimony of their his nc'ioß on the occ&Hon.j Mr Smith expreseed hig thttkl to j the donors and exp'aioed the oirount- J stances under which be intervened, 1 adding tbat he hoped in hit return to 1 opon low avenues of kbeur at which 1 the men eeold be employed. I