Successful Smelting of Iron Sand ia Taranaki.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4393, 1 February 1883, Page 2

Successful Smelting of Iron Sand ia Taranaki.

On Saturday morning last the long r expected " blowing-in..". at the;lron Company's works at Te Henui/tdW place. There was not a large attendance. Besides the directors and officers of. the Company there were present a few 5 ladies, and to Mrs Ritso belongs ther honor of turning on the blast. The furnace had been heated some days previously^ but the " bio wing-in " y was the actual start of the operations, and on this important occasion the Chairman of the Company (Mr Ritso) made a few ap» propriate remarks, wishing the undertaking every success. . The visitors then dis persed. The furnace and machinery, worked up to the expectation of the mana: gerall that day, and on Saturday afternoon it was decided to tap the furnace. This was done, and to the satisfaction of all concerned, the metal ran freely to the quantity of over three tons. At this stage one of the tuyeres unfortunately gave way, and the blast had consequently to be turned off until the burnt tuyere was replaced. It was known previously that the tuyeres were faulty, but it was thought that they would stand good until new ones could be cast direct from the furnace. Mr Vivian was at once communicated with, and by extra exertions he had the necessary tuyeres cast at his foundry, and one being placed in position on Wednesday, the blast was again turned early on Thursday morning. In the' afternoon the furnace was tapped a second time, and again the metal flowed freely. Tapping will be resumed at intervals until the' furnace is clear of metal, when a few alterations will be made before putting the furnaoe in fall swing. The experiments have given every satisfaction to the manager and the Directors of the Company, and there is now bat little doubt as to their successful termination. When work is thorougly started, we will give fuller particulars. —News.