EXPERTS TO REPORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 10

EXPERTS TO REPORT

ONEKAKA IRON ORE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE I Per Press Association./ WELLINGTON. Feb. 17. Two experts from London are to arrive in New Zealand early next month to report to the Government on the project for developing the iron ere deposits in Onekaka in the light of additional evidence gathered by the authorities. An announcement to this effect was made by the Minister in Charge of the State Iron and Steel Industry. Hon. D. G. Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan referred to an announcement he had made in November last indicating that at that time he expected the survey of the iron ore deposits at Onekaka would, by the end of January, have reached a stage where the Government would be in a position to consider inviting its con-

sultant engineers. H. A. Brassert and Company, Limited. London, to give a further preliminary report on the project.

The work of testing and analysing the ore deposits had been pressed forward since that time. The Government had invited H. A. Brassert and Company, Limited, to send to New Zealand a mining expert together with

a coal and metal expert, to consider the further evidence that had been gathered by the Iron and Steel Department and to prepare a report accordingly. “These two experts will arrive in New Zealand early next month and will spend a few weeks on the ore and coal bodies before framing their report and recommendations,” said the Minister.

The legislation under which the Government is acting is the Iron and Steel Industry Act, passed by Parliament last year. It provides for the establishment of an iron and steel industry in New Zealand as an absolute State monopoly, and the Minister of Finance is authorised to borrow up to 15,000,000 for this purpose on the security of the public revenues. The Act also provides for the appointment of not more than three full-time commissioners to administer the undertaking. So far only an acting-commis-sioner. Mr. G. A. Pascoe, has been appoi n t ed.