THE IRONSAND QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 289, 7 December 1901, Page 2

THE IRONSAND QUESTION.

I LKTTiUt FliOM MR K. M. SMITH, M.H.R. In the course of a vary interesting letter from Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R., received by Mr Berry by the 'Frisco mail, Mr Smith gives a very interesting account of the < xpsriuitnts with I the iioosand conducted at Sheffield. He says :—" Tha material which resulted ha* been worked up into al] kinds of aiticl-s, including tools of all sorts, sheet-iron, files, cutlery, steel cutting and turning appliances, surgical instruments, and castings of every description. The reports of experts, practical and scientific metallurgists, and iron and steel workers, all admi that the quality is unsurpassed, and that the material is equal to> the best Russian and Swedish iron smd steal, admirably fitted for any class of work, and can produce evory grade of iron and steel known to the trade. In fact the world of science, art', and skill, cannot give better testimonials than, we have received. My system is admitted to be perfect, and New Zealand should secure at loost one mill'on a year out of the eight millions annually spent in Australasia in iron and steel." Mr Smith also mentioned that he had devoted some time to studying tbe Ja.test improvements in gas manufacture and electric lighting, and considers that by the adoption of processes now used at Home gas can be produced and sold for hS3 th.»n half the present cost, and still leave sufficient to produce electricity cheaper than water-power. He consider* that would render the installation of electricity in New Plymouth unnecessary, and leave more money for street work and sewerage. Mr Smith, however, advocates tbe iron sand! company taking steps to acquire the gasworks and establish an electric tramway system, with an electric installation at Moturoa. Ho mentions that Mr Cadmxn'K bad health has considerably retarded their business. He also mentions that they hava experimented with the Mokau terracotta clay, wish very sitisfactory results. Mr Smith has secured four white swans for the Recreation Ground, and a plastrr bust of the late Sir Harry Atkinson for the Museum.