THE DOMINION'S IRON DEPOSITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1917, Page 6

THE DOMINION'S IRON DEPOSITS.

(Special Correspondent), Wellington, July 18. ''There are many deposits of iron ore throughout the islands of New Zealand," states the final report of the Dominions Royal Commission, "but the only one of any real magnitude is at Parapara on 'the west coast of the South Island. Its contents have been variously estimated, but the total is undoubtedly very large. The ore is of good quality, suitable for foundry purposes and for making basic steel, but the requirements of the New Zealand market would not at present justify the outlay necessary for conversion into steel. It was suggested to us that a market could be found for the ore in Japan, and we are of opinion that it would be in the interests of New Zealand that it should lie exported to as many markets as possible in order that its quality should be thoroughly tested. It would be welcomed in the United Kingdom, but we fear that the cost of freight would render shipment there impossible. "Xew Zealand has an asset of great potential value in the iron-sands on the West coast. The metallic iron contained i* virtually free from deleterious ingredients, and the supply is practically inexhaustible. But to convey it to any distance in its -present form would be very costly, whilst its conversion would in all probability, involve treatment in electric furnaces. This asset is essentially so valuable that it is not likely to remain permanently neglected." The report adds that towards the end of l'Jlfi a beginning was made with the utilisation of the iron-sands of Taranaki for the production of iron and steel. The statement of the report that the Parapara deposit of irisn-ore is "the only one of any real magnitude" in New Zealand is sweeping in view of the limited amount of .prospecting work that has been undertaken in connection with the known iron deposits. There is a bed or iron-ore about sixty feet thick on the -west side of Mount Tecl, in Canterbury, for instance. 'Samples oi tlie ore have been shown to contain fit! per cent, of metallic iron, and the deposit lias been traced for a distance of three miles. An extensive deposit of iron-ore (limonite and glauconite) occurs on the western slope of Mount Royal, in 'Otago. It- contains about 37 per cent, of metal, and has been stated by experts to be important as regards both quality and position.