THE IRONSAND QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 269, 14 November 1901, Page 2

THE IRONSAND QUESTION.

Mr D. Berry received aDothar letter by tbe 'Frisco mail yesterday from the Hon. A. J, Oadman. We regret to Bay that Mr Cadmau has been again laid up, and ; this has somewhat delayed his mission. He was, however, much better at the time of writing, and judging from the tona of his letter both he and Mr Smith were quite satisfied with the progress made; considerable delay was also caused by their arriving home at a time when most of thoie they wished to see were away, thus entailing a great deal of correspondence. Mr Cad man's letter was of such a nature, however, that Mr Berry may expect to receive a eible at any time. It is very gratifying to notice that Mr Cadman siys "that every statement m*de by Mr E. M. Smith regarding the practical working of the sind has been fully borne out by the experiments mads." Mr Cadman also refers to the harbour as one of his difficulties, and indicates the desirableness of something being done in that matter, and in the course of his remarks c n this subject says: Board or the Government must complete the harbour, otherwise it will be futile to think that the company will put a plant of the value of £200,000 in a position where it cannot be utilised to the grea'est advantage." Mr Cadman speaks very highly of the energy and industry of Mr E. M. Smith and his meins of convincing the most sceptical of the quality of the iron produced and the simplicity of his system. They both hope to be able to leave Horn? shortly, if possible in November. By the fame mail Mrs Smith also received letters from Mr Smith, which, however, add nothing to the abovf. Both he and Mr Cadman were »vidently looking forward to their return to New Zealand with great longing.

Writing on October 4th the Auckland Star's London correspondent says : —The negotiations of M.esars Oadman and Smith are fast coming to a head, and I am told that a strong syndicate has "almost decided" to find the neoseary c ipital. Messrs Cadnnn and Smith hive other iroos in the fire, however, if thi* one shouli f til at the last momen\ The opposition of those connected with the iron and steel trade has been very marked, but Mr Smith has been able to answer triumphantly all the objections raised by those who may in the neir future be possible competitors. Ha has, in fact, rather surprised the experts by his mastery of the subject in all its branches, and his knowledge of the latest literature and processes in England.