THE IRON WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1919, Page 6

THE IRON WORKS.

.VISIT OF THE INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE. The Parliamentary Industries Committee visited the ironworks at Moturoa on Tuesday evening. They were met by Mr. W. J. Penn, chairman of directors, and Mr. J. A. Heskett, the metallurgical engineer who is in charge of the works. After the operations had been briefly explained and Mr. Heskett had answered a few questions on technical points, the committee was able to see the furnace tapped and a small run of iron obtained. The furnace had only been lighted about 1 p.m., and it wa9 explained that only a small quantity of iron was likely to be obtained so soon, since the furnace had not quite time to get thoroughly heated. Quite a good tapping, however, was obtained, and the' visitors were favorably impressed. It may be mentioned that for two or three days the material being put through the furnace will be the liard white iron smelted at earlier trials, which will be converted into saleable grey iron. When this is used up and the furnace is in good fettle it will be charged with sand just as it comes from the, beach without any preparation by eggetting qr. otherwise. If the experience of the last trial is repeated and a good continuous run is obtained the future of the industry will be assur&i beyond doubt.