"Reform Club, Pall Mull, S. W. "London, July I*2, ISS3.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1745, 11 September 1883, Page 3

" Reform Club, Pall Mull, S. W. "London, July I*2, ISS3.

" .Sir, — After posting n.y letter to you to-dny I received the enclosed, stating Dr Faija's terms for examination of materials and repoit thereupon. I would suggest that the.Government might incur this small expense, as the industry might be of very great importance, concrete being now most extensively used botli in Europe and in the colonies. In the course of conversation with Dr Faija, I gathered that for a cement works, on a fair scale of magnitude, a capital of £20,000 would bo required in this country. He could not bay whether this would be sufficient for the colony, but probably theamount would notmaterially dift'er. You must bear in mind that there is no pumico in Austialia, nor in the South Island of Now Zealand, and, therefore, that the North Island has) a monopoly of the ai tide, unless brought from some of the South Sea Islands, at a far greater distance from the centres of population. Dr Faija says it would be unnecessary to pack cement in casks except for long-sea voyages ; bags would answer the purpose. — I have, &c, 11 (Signed) James C. Ckvwford, "The Honourable the Colonial Treasurer."