THE MANUFACTURE OF CEMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 7160, 14 March 1887, Page 4

THE MANUFACTURE OF CEMENT.

The starting of a big thing in the way of local industry was inaugurated on Saturday afternoon, when a party of gentlemen, to the number of about 200, accepted an invitation from our fellow-townsman, Mr James M'Donald, to visit his newly-erected cement manufacturing works at Walton Park and witness the starting of the machinery. A special train was laid on for the occasion, and among the gentlemen present were : Messrs W. D. Stewart, J. Barron, M. J. Seobie Mackenzie, and J. Gore (M.H.R.s), Crs Murray, Fish, Barron, Esther, Dawson, and Sinclair, and Messrs R. A. Lawson, R. Swan, Sparrow, Hudson, G. Bell, G. Fenwick, M'Queen, Low, W. Watson, J. Wain, J. Hislop, J. Barnes, Tapper, Petro, White, Mercer, G. Munro, Boldinl, E. B. Cargiil, Forrest, Meloy, and J. B. Thomson. As is pretty generally known, Mr M'Donald has been for many years engaged in the manufacture of lime, lie having extensive works at Waihola, and, more recently, near Portobello also; but the manufacture of cement forms a fresh departure from the ordinary course of his business. During the last few months he has turned out cement on a small scale; and the results of various experiments with it which he lias made from time to time (and which have been recorded by us as they took place), together with the great approval bestowed on it by such builders and architects as gave it a trial, gave Mr M'Donald good reason to believe that he would be quite justified in going into the manufacture of the product in a large way. With that object in view, a site at Walton Park was secured, of which between two and three acres is already covered with works specially for the purpose. The machine is driven by an engine of 36 h.p., capable of working up to 100 h.p., and the machinery comprises everything necessary for the preparation of cement. The materials used are clay and lime, and tho former is at present being obtained by Mr M'Donald from Dnnedin harbor. There is, however, an unlimited supply of equally suitable clay to be had in the vicinity of Duncdin, so that there is no fear of the work being stopped from diilicully in obtaining this ingredient. Lime is founded in any requisite quantity from Mr M'Donald's pits at Waihola and Portobello. These materials are mixed in certain proportions, and are thoroughly amalgamated in a puddling mill. From the mill the stuff is carried into a "disintegrator," which is driven at the rate of 1,500 revolutions per minute. It next passes through a fitting machine, and such portions as are not fine enough are returned to the "disintegrator." The fine material, "slurry," as it is termed, which in appearance is like pipeclay in solution, then lies for some time in vats technically termed " backs "—capable of holding B,ooogal, and after the water has been drained from it it is blown, and from this the slurry passes through hose into drying pans capable of holdiug2otons each. Compressedair will probably he used for the purpose subsequently, but at present the "slurry " is discharged through stout india-rubber tubing by means of steam. The fires beneath the pans soon cause the water to evaporate, and the material becomes very much like ordinary pipeclay : and as before it is set rakes are pulled through it from the ends anil each side, it is left in oblong blocks about the size of bricks. These blocks are taken to the kilns and burnt to clinkers, and the whole of the subsequent process of manufacture is confined to reducing these flint-like clinkers to an impalpable powder. For this purpose a large amount of powerful and most accurately adjusted machinery is required, and has been provided. The cement clinkers first pass through a stone-crusher, and thence to a revolving roller-pan. An elevator then carries the broken material to French burr - stones, passing from one machine to another until it falls through a sieve into a cooler on the top floor, and after being gradually cooled it is caused by the machine to fall into bins, where it is ready to be put into bags or bane's for tho market. The main part of the machinery has been made by Messrs R. S. Sparrow and Co. and Messrs Cossens and Black, but the portion of the machinery formerly used in the grinding of hydraulic lime was from the works of Messrs Reid and Gray. The buildings and machinery have been erected under the supervision of Mr M'Donald and his foreman (Mr Lothian), and proof of the efficient manner in which the work has been done was given by tho smooth and uninterrupted working of tho whole of the machinery. After a full inspection of the works the company adjourned to one of the sheds, where some speechifying was indulged in. Mr R. Swan, who made a very efficient chairman, called upon Mr VV. Barron to propose tho first toast. Mr Barron said ho had been greatly surprised, greatly interested, and greatly delighted with what ho had seen.— (Applause). He thought that in Mr M'Donald and in the work they had the right man and the right work ; in fact, the man and the work went naturally together. Some time in 1880 a commission was appointed to inquire into tho state of industries in the Colony, and amongst the industries about which evidence was taken was the manufacture of cement. Concerning that industry the evidence of people in Auckland, Gisborne, Westport, Grey mouth, Taranaki, Canterbury, and Duncdin was taken. All of them brought under the notice of the Commission the fact that there was an ample supply of materials for making cement throughout the Colony, and he believed he was right in saying that everyone who gave evidence indicated that snme assistance on the part of the Government would be necessary before tbey could successfully establish any industry ftf the kind. At' that time Mr M'Donald was engaged in the lime trade, and he did not Keck to interview the Commissioners or go in a cringing, whining way, saying: " I understand all about it; if you give me a little assistance I can establish j the industry." Instead of doing that he put his strong manly shoulders to the work, and without any assistance from the Government, without any coddling, he had established an industry of which the Colony might be proud. This industry was emphatically unprotected. There was Is a barrel duty imposed in 1866 for purely revenue purposes, but all cement used by the Government was admitted duty free. Speaking from memory, the imports were something like 150,000 barrels of cement per year, of tho value of LSO.OOO or L 90.000; and he had Mr M'Donald's authority for faying that he was altogether independent of the little duty imposed, and was prepared to compete with the importer who supplied the Government duty free, and would give a better article at a lower price. As the time was short, and others would have to speak, he would say little more ; but ho wanted them not to forget the lesson Mr M'Donald had taught them, that there was no need for the cry raised by interested people throughout the Colony that some fostering help was necessary on the part of the Government to enable local industries to be established. Notwithstanding that cry, they had now met at the inauguration of an industry that was natural to the Colony, and that was in the hands of a man who had scorned to ask

Government assistance, and who could see his way to make a handsome competence out of the industry. He knew that many present did not agree with his Freetrade opinions, but ho hoped they would allow him to hold them. He hoped, too, they would respect his opinions, though he could not say that he very thoroughly respected theirs.— (Laughter and applause.) What he wanted to emphasise, and what he thought this was a proper occasion for emphasising, was this: that while they believed Protection was necessary that some little help, some coddling or fostering was necessary—he, as a Freetrader, believed that the best thing they could do was to remove all restrictions, so that no one could say on the one hand: "This is a coddled industry that would not survive otherwise," or, on the other hand, that restrictions were thrown in the way of the natural development of the industry. Then, again, much assistance could be given to such an industry without the assistance Protectionists employed. He had no doubt everyone would be delighted to give assistance to such an industry, especially when it was in the hands of Mr M'Donald—a gentleman of enterprise, a true colonist, and one of whom they might well feel proud. Assistance might be given by a fair trial of this cement —a kind of assistance Protectionists were not always ready to give, though they wero probably willing to impose protective duties to enable him, he might almost say, to mako lime-juice out of Waihola lime.— (Laughter and applause.) In conclusion, he proposed the health of Mr M'Donald and prosperity to this great industry. Mr M'DonaliD, in replying to the toast, said he had to thank the gentlemen present for visiting the works. He had not anticipated that so many would turn out, for although he had great interest in this concern himself, he did not think so many other people would have shown an interest in it. Some had said he had taken a long time to show anything. Well, ho had been longer than he had anticipated in making preparations, but he was now cable to produce an article that was unequalled by anything that could be imported into the Colony. Others had said he could never make it to pay, but he was prepared to bet all the money ho had that it would pay. They could have no conception of the trouble he had been to, or of the money he had spent in these works, but he had the wholo thing in order now, and did not care twopencehalfpenny for all the German or French exporters of cement to this country.— (Laughter and applause.) He did not want Protection at all. If he could not beat all the Germans and Frenchmen ho did not want to live. He could produce an article unequalled by anything that could bo imported and put alongside of it. He did not want the Government to tax other people for his benefit, but he did want the benefit of the railways, which they were all taxed to build and maintain ; and what he wanted with respect to them was that the carriage of his stuff by rail should bo at a reasonable rate. When ho started the works he went to Mr Maxwell and asked that the cement material should ho carried at the lowest scale of tariff. Mr Maxwell agreed that that ought to he done, but said he could not guarantee it; but lie would recommend the Minister of Public Works to carry the material on the lowest scale. From Mr Maxwell's office he (Mr M'Donald) went to the Minister of Public Works, who said that if it was recommended by Mr Maxwell he would certainly approve of it. The result, however, was that lie had been charged 3d over the classified rate, and the lowest rate was below the classified rate. These were facts. On finding that thus he had been charged and had paid 3d per ton over the classified rates, he had stopped that from his next account, and the railway authorities had threatened to stop all the goods lie sunt into the yard. Mr Maxwell had denied making the promise he had mentioned, but he could assure them it had been made. As lit had said, he did not ask for Protection, but he did think that the railways should be so used that LIOO,OOO a-year might be kept in the country. He was confident that tliis cement industry would lie one of the largest industries on this side of the lino', and, as he had said, he was so certain of the superiority of his cement that lie did not care for the competition of all the manufacturers in the world. lie wanted people not to conclude that the cement was hoc good because it was a colonial product. People who had used it had been unable to believe the evidence of their own eyes. One gentleman, knowing that the cement was mr.de here, had refused to use it, but it had afterwards been sent on the works and he had declared it was the best cement he had ever used ; but that was when he was supplied without knowing that it was local ct.inent. Mo thanked the gentlemen for the manner in which they had received the toast, and asked that any gentlemen present who had used the cement should state their o'union of it, whatever that opinion might be.

Mr Tapper said he had had a good opportunity theother day of testiugMr M'Donald's cement. His firm sold a good deal of cement, and they had supplied one of the best English brands of cement to one contractor, and subsequently aload of M'Donald's cement; and when the contractor was asked how he liked the cement sent last, he replied that it was very much better than the previous lot, and that he would be well satisfied in future if he was supplied with the same. —(Applause.) That was the opinion of a gentleman who thoroughly understood cement and who used a good deal of it. MrMUN'KOsaid he had used M'Donald's cement for the foundation of the Burns statue, and he would invite anyone to take a pick and try the cc.neut for themselves. He could say it was the best cement in the country, and as long as it maintained its present quality he would not use anything else. Mr D. M'Corkindale and Mr John Scott (engineer for the refrigerating works) spoke of M'Donald's cement aa being much stronger than the imported article. The latter gentleman added that it had another advantage over the imported article in that it took longer to set, and was thus not so much given to cracking as other articles. Mr J. B. Thomson, who in tho course of his remarks spoke of tho railway tariff as having been " fearfully and wonderfully made," proposed " The Health of the Parliament of New Zealand," coupled with tho names of Messrs Seobie Mackenzie, J. Gore, and W. D. Stewart. Mr W. D. Stewart, in replying to the toast, said it was refreshing to moet with a colonist of the enterprise and energy of Mr M'Donald. Parliament, he believed, was fully alive to the importance of fostering such industries as would afford employment to a large portion of the population. He need scarcely say that he would be only too gratified to find Mr M'Donald make a fortune out of this business. For many years they had been sending out of the Colony for cement from L 70.000 to LIOO.OOO a year, and he hoped now to see that kept in the Colony, and employment afforded to a large number of men. With regard to the railway tariff" question, that was only one of the many complaints heard of, and he supposed the railway would always afford plenty of opportunities for complaint, though he hoped the Department would afford Mr M'Donald all reasonable facilities. There was no necessity for the Government to lose by carrying materials for a concern of this kind, but on the other hand there was no reason why anything more than miuimum rates should be charged. He believed Mr M'Donald might rely on the support of the local members in this matter, and he need scarcely say that he realised that the undertaking was likely to benefit the Colony at large. Mr J. Gore was sure he was only expressing the feelings of everyone when he said that he was high'y gratified at being present to sec a new industry established. Ho would give place t j no one in the desire to encourage local industries of every description. The question of Protection v. Freetrade was, he thought, entirely out of place at a gathering of this kind.—(Hear, hear, and applause.) But it had been introduced, and ho would say that he considered the proposer' of Mr M'Donald's health had hardly stated correctly the measure of Protection that was at present granted to cement. On an article that cost 6s a barrel in Eugland there was a duty of 13, and with expenses addod that amounted to 40 per cent. That was a pretty stiff duty. He need not say he was not a rabid Protectionist, but no rabid Protectionist would surely demand a higher duty than that. For his part he would be pleased to see the duty taken off if ft could be manufactured without any assistance; for no one desired that protective duties should be imposed merely for the purpose of taxing ourselves. He thought too much stress could not be laid on the importance of starting industries of every description. Employment must be found for the rising generation, andthepeoplecoufdnot.be highly intellectual or highly civilised in any country that relied on agriculture alone. For his part, he laid great stress upon the importance of agriculture, for the land was the source of

wealth; but no country would be prosperous that neglected other industries. If others followed Mr M'Donald's example in starting industries there would soon bo very little heard of the depression. The Colony had immense resources. The land was rich in minerals, there was an abundance of water everywhere, and vast stores of the foundation of all manufactures—coal. He did not know of any country in the Australasian colonies that could compare with New Zealand in natural facilities for becoming a great manufacturing country. He was sure that the desire of every member of both Houses was to see industries established in all parts of the country, and the only question was : How were they to bo established ? It did not matter to him, nor, he believed, to the majority in Parliament, how encouragement was given to local industries, so long as those industries prospered. Such encouragement might be given in a variety of ways—by a duty on the imported article, or by low freight for the carriage of locallymade goods ; but in either case it seemed to him to be protection. He had no doubt that anything that could be done by the House to encourage local industries would be done, and that the Government were quite in earnest in their desire to see such industries established.

Mr Scobik Mackenzie, as a member representing a country constituency, could say he had great pleasure in being present, and that it afforded him a large amount of gratification to see the establishment of these works. There was a general opinion current that the people of the country did not care about manufactures; but he could say that he was one of the many country people who recognised that the country and town were reciprocal elements of success- -that the country must supply the raw material, and the town the manufactured goods. He had particular satisfaction in seeing the magnificent works, which gave such ample evidence of Mr M'Donald's energy and enterprise, and he wished Mr M'Donald every success in his undertaking. The quantity of cement introduced into this country in 1885 was 186,000 barrels, of which about half had been entered for home consumption, and had paid duty. For the moment he could not imagine where the rest had gone to, but found that it was admitted duty free for Government works. These figures showed that there was a great future before this industry. He understood that Mr M'Donald's cement was of a decidedly superior quality, and by virtue of its quality bade fair to drive the imported article out of the market. His friend Mr Barron had, on behalf of Freetraders, made what might be mildly termed " a fighting speech." Now, he was a Freetrader, and he agreed in the main with all that Mr Barron had said, only he had to remark that ho entirely respected the opinion of the great bulk of those who were fighting on the other side, but that ho had no great respect for the opinions on this question of those who wero directly interested in any particular manufacture. He felt suro they would realiso that the opinions of interested persons should be looked upon with a certain amount of suspicion, but for the outsiders, tho onlookers, who favored Protection he had the greatest respect, and could only regret that they were so very far mistaken in their views.— (Laughter and applause.) He had only to add with regard to what Mr M'Donald had said about the railway rates that he believed what he asked was reasonable, and that what was asked for was not that the cement should bo carried at a loss, but that it should be carried at as low a rate as tho public interest would allow. That seemed reasonable, and would have his support.— (Applause.) MrM'DotfAi/D remarked that he had not wanted the materials to be carried at a loss, and said that his treatment by the Union Company, which was supposed to have a great monopoly, was exceedingly liberal, and in strange contrast with what he had received from the Railway Department. Mr Law son proposed the health of the Corporation of Duncdin, remarking that that body had it in its power to use large quantities of Mr M'Donald's cement, and he thought they should do so, and thus encourage a deserving industry. He coupled with the toast the names of Crs Murray, Fish, Sinclair, Esther, J. Barron, and Dawson. Messrs Mukkay and Fish responded, tho former in a highly eloquent and the latter in a very fluent speech. The health of tho foreman of the cement works (Mr Lothian) was drunk and replied to; and the toast of " The Press " was then proposed by the Chaikman. Mr Bei.l, in replying, said he had been greatly pleased with the works. He felt very much gratified also by the fact that Mr M'Donald had had the manliness to undertake the establishment of this industry without going to the Government for protection. A Government could do very little olso in forwarding industry; indeed, to attempt to build up industries was to attempt to do something that was beyond their province. He felt, however, that every facility should be given in tho way of low rates for the conveyance of raw material and for the distribution of manufactured goods. He felt very strongly respecting tho mismanagement of our railways, and trusted that tho Government and members of Parliament would see the necessity of instituting some method of managing them, perhaps similar to that adopted in Victoria, so that our local industries might bo helped on intead of bing hindered. Tho party returned to town by special train, arriving in Dunedin shortly after half-past six.