ONAKAKA IRON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 23 August 1922, Page 9

ONAKAKA IRON

AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM FORMER NELSON RESIDENT Nclsoniiiiis will be interested in the appended extracts from a letter received by Mr M. P. Webster from his father. Mr M. M. Webster. Mr Webster sent - ., is now Jiving in tin; South of England, and ■although 88 years of ago, enjoys good health:—"Since yon penned your note of 20th April, The Evening Alai) announces the fact that a smelting had taken place at Onakaka of a highly successful character, producing a quantity of pig-iron of a very superior quality. Of the latter 1 haven’t a shadow of n doubt, and as you seem to be acquainted with one of the directors of the Company, kindly pass on my warm congratulations. Ah ! If we had had a Ilesketb in the seventies Golden Bay would have been to-day the busiest industrial district in Now Zealand. The inexhaustible quantity of ore in the field, with the necessary (lux in the form of the finest limestone in equally unlimited quantity, and with an unexplored coalfield quite handy, the whole close to magnificent shipping facilities, has features for success, unknown as far as my knowledge extends, in any part of the globe. All that is now required is sufficient capital lo finance.the undertaking, as 1 have already stated in previous communications. Even if the Onakaka Company stick to the production of pig only a capital of £200,000 at least will be required. The opening of a suit ■ able coalmine on such an area—of which I know something—means big money, and wharf or jetty suitable for berthing the biggest liners trading to New Zealand waters, will run on to £IOO,OOO alone, but that sum could be reduced .considerably by simply carrying the jetty to 15 or 20 feet at low water, and as success followed, could bo carried out- to practically any depth, and Golden Bay is really an immense natural harbour, having a weather shore from inside Capo Farewell to Separation Point, the only wind that is'trmiblesome-in the Ray is a ‘south-easter.’ and that has only a fetch of some 50 miles, and is not of a very serious clmrcter. The Bay is easily approached, no hidden dangers existing, and any stranger by simply using the lead, can bring his ship to anchor easily. ... I am now highly pleased to think that all our aspirations of a glorious future for the unique Golden Bay iron field are on the eve of being realised. I may not live to see it, as my tether is shortening, but I feel satisfied it will arrive some day in the near future. The theme is one on which I could dwell for a lengthened period, and the possibilities of the Para Para aie always with me. and I will he quite anxious to know of the success or otherwise of the Onakaka Company in raising sufficient capital to carry out that pro gramme. As I have hinted, the conditions are unique—nothing equal to them in Great Britain, the Continent of Europe, America, or Australia, and unless the whole people of the planet go mad, must assert themselves, and become a great centre in the future.