Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7222, 18 July 1884, Page 2

Tn an another column wo publish an interesting aud useful letter from Mr J. C. Crawford, entitled “'A local industry for Wellington,” on the subject of the manufacture of hydraulic cement from pumice found at places specified in this district. Mr Crawford is an old Wellington resident, and a gentleman of considerable scientific attainments, and his opinion respecting the possibilities of our local products is valuable. We believe that in the letter we now publish he has thrown out very sound suggestions for the establishment of a paying local industry. Some months back we called attention to the same subject in connection with a letter forwarded to us by the Colonial Secretary for publication, We then expressed the belief that tho boundless quantities of pumice to bo met with in the centre of the island, close to the track of the proposed central lino of railway between Auckland and Wellington might be turned to good account in the manufacture of cement, and we are still of the same opinion. Probably when tho North Island is more fully explored than at present, other highly valuable native products may be mot with, and the ignorant opinion expressed by some Southern politicians about- the barrenness of the North Island be entirely modified in accordance with known facts.