WHITE ISLAND SULPHUR.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1402, 28 June 1881, Page 2

WHITE ISLAND SULPHUR.

Mr R. W. F. Maclvor, F.CS., who visited New Zealand .some time ago on behalf of Melbourne capitalists for the purpose of reporting on the prospects of utilising the sulphur deposits on White Island has sent in a very favourable report. " The amount of sulphur on the inland," he says, " i» practically inexhaustible. In some places ifc is met -with in a high state of purity, while in others, it is found together with sypsum (hydrate sulphate of lime), forming immense masses, which contain from 60 to 80, nud even GO per cent, of the element." He states that these are no mining or other difficulties in the way of " abtaining the sulphur, and the formations, which it may be observed are of grearcr or le^s depth, occurs in situations contiguous to shipping 1 points." He found from personal observai ion and inquiry that there is good anchorage for vessels on the north, east, and south sides of the island. Tie describes the refining works which have been erected at Taurauga : the condensing chamber is said to be of 7000 cubic feet capacity. There is a chimney stack 50 fesfc high, a six horse-power engine in good condition, and the retorts are cast iron. A tramway, jetty, and to connect the works with the shipping. He estimates that the plant is worth about £2500, and the judicious expenditure of an additional £1000 would put the whole in good working order. He shows that the value of sulphur imported into Australasia during the last year was at least £20,000, which, taken with the fact that shipowners are disinclined to carry the material frcm Europe, he thinks shows the foundation of a large and profitable industry in developing the resources of White Island. He also states that the manufacturer of vitrial in New Zealand would be likely to prove highly remunerative. " The importance of treating ; phosphatic manures, such as bonedust and guanos, with sulphuric acid, previous to applying them to ; land, is daily becoming evident to the agriculturists ; and, as a consequence the demand for the acid has much improved during the past year or two. In proof of this I may mention that the Government offer a bonus of £500 per annum for three years for 50 tons of good acid made in the colony. In conclusion, I unhesitatingly recommend this surely profitable enterprise to the favourable consideration of the capitalist." He adds that there are large quantities of gypsum on the island, for which there is likely to be a good local demand for measuring pur* poses.— Bay of Plenty Times.

The English demand for George Elliot's books has been so great since her death that the London publishers hare not bean able to meet it. It is officially announced that hence forththe Russian Government will provide ion diktfiess , in any district, riot' by .^vances in,iaoney t but in seed, and by constructing railways and , othtr pabiio j