A LOCAL INDUSTRY FOR WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7222, 18 July 1884, Page 3

A LOCAL INDUSTRY FOR WELLINGTON.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HEW ZEALAND TIMES Sm —As the manufacture of cement, or hydraulic lime, appears to have become a success at Mahuraogi, near Auckland, I wish again to call ntteution to this mbjecc as an industry which could be established in Wellington, where the use of cement uecessadly be of great importance for building and other purposes. The hydraulic limestone of Muhurangi appears to bo a meat zoic rock, identical in composition with a rock of the same age, which is far more largely developed within the Wellington Provincial District, as also on the other side of tho Straits, at Kaikoura and probably also at I’Jaxbourne, This rock shows out on the coast at Barton’s station, White Hock, not far from Cape Pailiser, as a broad stratum, and runs away in a N.N.E, direction towards Hawke’s Bay and the East Cape, exposed on the surface in various places about this route. It stands nearly, if net quite vertical. It has the disadvantage of not lying in proximity to any port, but at tho White Rock, for iuatauce, 1 should think it could be shipped and brought to Wellington at small outlay. A cargo having been quarried and got ready, a small steamer ought to be able to leave Wellington, load her cargo, and return on the same day. Estimates might also he made as to the cost of bringiugthis rock from Kaikoura. Some years ago I was informed by a merchant in London that he had im» ported from Aden large quantities of pumice for the formation of the docks at Bombay, This was mixed witn lime from Madras, and was said to make the hardest concrete known for works under water. I regret to say that I was unable to get more detailed information. My informant was a merchant, and not an engineer, and did not inquire into the subsequent processes. If this statement is correct, Wellington is well situated for getting a supply of pumice, as it is floating down the Wanganui and Hawkoa Bay Rivers day and night, and any quantity may be easily got from the former river. I don’t know what the freight would come to, but arrangements could probably be made to get it carried cheaply. It might be argued that cement should be produced at the spot where the stone is found, but the chief outlay in its manufacture seems to bo fuel for working the engine, and for that reason, and for facility of distribution, it is probable that the best plan would be to bring the materials to Wellington. No laige port is so convenient as Wellington lor procuring pumice, and should iU manufacture as a cemeul prove a success, there would be a great opening for Its sale in Australia, where pumice is not found. If it paid to bring pumice from Aden to Bombay, a distance of perhaps 2000 miles, it ought to pay to bring it from Wanganui to Wellington.— I am, &c., James C. Cuawfoivd.