MOUNT OF IRON.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 10 July 1928, Page 9

MOUNT OF IRON.

VAST DEPOSITS.. JAPANESE MAKE INSPECTION PERTH, June 29. Captain S. Ohya, master mariner, of tiie Japanese mercantile marine, of Japan, and Mr. K. Okada, Japanese geologist of the Minerals' Department of Asa no and Co.. Ltd., Tokio, Japan, arrived at Broome yesterday by the steamer Gascoyne' from Japan, by way of Singapore. They leave shortly for Koolan Island.,' Yampi Sound, in the twelve-ton schooner Bonza, to inspect shipping facilities at Yampi Sound, and iron ore deposits at Koolan Islands. They will he accompanied by Mr. Alf. Locke, publican, of Broome, who is the local agent for Thompson’s, who own the islands.' It is understood that the Commonwealth Government lias granted permission to sell and export- this ore. ..Koolan Island was 'discovered by pearlers who use the ore as ballast in their luggers and .schooners. It is much superior to pig iron for that pnrnose. as- it does not rust. Mr. Thompson is in London awaiting the result of the inspection. If a proposed deal with the Japanese companies is effected he will ship out about £200,000 worth ■of _ gear to facilitate the loading of ships. HTGH TIDES.

The greatest difficulty to- bo overcome ’is the high rise and fall of the tides. It has been observed that emiinoctial spring tides rise over 30 feet.

The ore- is of verv high grade, and the island is nracticallv a. mountain of ironstone. Thompson’s will have- to guarantee it 65 per cent pure, but it is thought locally that the iron ore is m’Wi purer than that.

The Asano Co. now obtain their supolies of iron ore from South America. The ore at Koolan Island, which is much purer, is closer to their works and the price is much lower. A cable message from the Kobe corof the “Sydney Snn.” which was published in April last.' eta tod that before 1 the British Consul at Tokio agreements were signed between representatives from Australia and agents of the principal ironmasters of Japan, providing for large dhimuents of iron from North-Western Australia. The contracts, it was mentioned, "■ore subject to a report from a J-oanose shin’s cantain and an ,ciito,mer regurcUuc +tie safety of ehinnino- and loading fm-dlitios-. and it. is ivi+h that nrn'noso- that Cantain OhYa '•nd Mr. Okada have yrac to Australia.