[0. HAWKEN.

1.—12.

204

figures carefully, and I have come to the conclusion that for the past ten years there has been a loss of two million sheep—that is the average. So that you see there is an immense field for research there—as to the cause of the loss of that large number of sheep from preventible causes. The whole question comes back to scientific research and the employment of skilled men. To Dr. A. K. Newman: The loss occurred mostly in hoggets; the Department itself estimated a loss of a million and three-quarters last year. The problem is a big one. The figures I think are reliable, because the Department's figures are very complete. To the Chairman: The Board of Agriculture has this matter under consideration.

MANAIA. Saturday, I2th April, 1919. On the Committee visiting Manaia, Mr. T. McPhillips, Chairman of the Waimate West County Council, extended a hearty welcome. He said that one of the most important matters it was desired to bring under the notice of the Committee was the installing of hydro-electric energy. Taranaki was a district that required a considerable amount of energy, either electrical, steam, or petrol. There was not a factory that was not using power of some sort, and in the near future their operations, owing to the high price of land, would have to be extended to include the manufacture of dried milk, sugar of milk., &c. Electrical energy was the coming power—was indeed the existing power if they had it within their reach. It would not cost more than one-third that of petrol, the money for which all went out of the country. Milking-machines were now installed on nearly every dairy farm in Taranaki, and an adequate supply of electric current at a cheap rate would induce, farmers to take more interest in their holdings, and induce them to remain there and develop their land instead of wishing to get into the towns to live. The supply of coal presented a serious problem. Industries were now working from day to day, and should there be a strike, where would their industries be? The country must have a large revenue; this must come mainly from its products, and every effort should therefore be made to protect these. He asked members of Parliament present not to stick at five, six, or even fen millions of money to install complete systems for the whole of New Zealand. II would be an excellent investment, and would amply repay the country. The roading problem in this district was a big one, and he urged members to assist in pushing the Opunake railway lo a completion with the least possible delay. If the railway were completed it would relieve to some extent the toll-gate nuisance. In place of toll-gates he would suggest that the Government provide money as cheapily as possible for road-construction. It was impossible to construct roads to meet the changed traffic out of rates; but once roads were properly put down and tar-sealed no public body need fear motor traffic. Councillor T. Long, Councillor J. Stevenson, and Mr. W. D. Powdrell also addressed the visitors. The Chairman expressed the Committee's appreciation of the cordial welcome given to it.

NEW PLYMOUTH. Monuay, 14th April, 1919. W. J. Perm, representing the New Zealand Iron-ore Smelting Company (Limited), examined. The company 1 represent was formed about two years and a half ago, with a capital of £65,000. £.25,000 of it was allotted —fully-paid-up shares—to a syndicate which had been experimenting with the ironsand for about two years previously. Of that syndicate the late Mr. Duncan Rutherford was a member. The company took over a lease of about ten miles of the foreshore on either side of the Breakwater at New Plymouth. It took over the patent rights and other concessions from the syndicate, and it started operations about the beginning of 1917. On account of the very great difficulty in getting material, and labour difficulties too, it was nearly a year before we could get our furnace going. We started an experimental furnace and succeeded in smelting a considerable quantity of iron; but it was of very variable quality. Some, of it was soft grey iron, suitable for foundry purposes; but most of it was mottled and hard white, which is practically unsaleable in New Zealand. Our object was to get good foundry iron. After experimenting with the small furnace we got it to such a stage that our mineralogist and engineer said we might go on to the bigger furnace. That was put into commission, and our first result gave us much the same quality of iron as before—variable, Mr. Frank Reed, of the Mines Department, came up and inspected, and he advised the company before it went any further to try to obtain the services of the very best expert we could secure from Australia, England, or America; and he suggested one or two names. We eventually succeeded in getting a Mr. A.ubel, a young American mineralogist and engineer, who was second man in charge of the Broken Hill Company's iron and steel works at Newcastle. His three years' engagement with the company was just about terminating. He was anxious to go back to America to his own people, where he was advised there was a wonderful prospect in the iron and steel trade; so he decided not to renew his contract with the Broken Hill people, but to go home to America, and to put in two or three months with us on the way. We had to pay him a very big fee. He recommended certain alterations in the works. It took us so long to get those alterations made that we actually had him here for six months, and before he went away we had the furnace in commission for about a week or ten days. Tt started off with iron 8 per