MANUFACTURE OF GUN-COTTON IN AUCKLAND.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1988, 12 May 1885, Page 2

MANUFACTURE OF GUN-COTTON IN AUCKLAND.

Experiments in the making of guneotton havo beun made reoently.in Auckland, at the instigation of Government, who wished to ascertain whether that explosive could bo manufactured here with safety and in sufficient quantities for defence purposes. We (Auckland I SW) are glad to learn that the experiments have proved most satisfactory, The gentleman who lias had oharge of the proceedings Is Mr James Hurst, Secretary to the Mutual Intercolonial Moroantile Association, whose office is at 8 Mercantile Chambers, Queon street. To show that the process of making the guncotton is perfectly safe it need only be mentioned that Mr Hurst did all the work at'his private residence, and that he has how very good samples at his office for the inspection' of thqßo' interested. No doubt Majcr 'Cautley, or the torpedo instructor who, arrives with him to-morrow,, will have' instruct tions to see Mr Hurst on the subject', fiun-cotton has threo times tho ■ explosive force of gunpowder,' and for smallarms, torpodo.es and submarine mines, is said to be more adapted than any othor Dynamjte, in oxplqcj;

nig, exerts a downward force, whereas ■ the force of gun-cotton ifl chiefly upwards, Made according to latest discoveries, as Mr Hurst claims to havo made it, it is safer than any known explosive. It can bo stored in any quantity, withftrfect safety, as it will not explode by firewhoii kedt in the damp condition ;and itslightnew, coupled with its safety, admirmirably adapts it for transit. The. damp gun-cotton' as made by MrjHurst,' will not even explode by percussSp", as dynamite does, but only by detohafifon of dry gun cotton... Mr Hurst is prepared '. eithertomakeany required quantity, of gun-cotton for' Government,' or' give instructions in. the .art to. Government, officers; With, .very simple and easily' constructed appliances ■ he could make within a month'Sufficient ; (jf:this powerful explosive to suffice for';tlie ;! defence of v, the colony. 7. Gun-cotton is considered ,1 superior to dynamite for torpedoes and submarine mines, but it cannot be sufficiently "tamed"to make it of any use for artillery, purposes.