HEMATITE AT THE THAMES.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 524, 25 May 1880, Page 3

HEMATITE AT THE THAMES.

Tlie question of the best means of utilising the vast quantities of hematite ore which arc to bo found on the field is occupying a good deal of attention at the present tinio. The fact that there is an abundance of the ciude ore in the neighborhood lias been known for some ycais, but it was about six months ago that anyone attempted to utilise it. Abcut that time Mr Edwards, who had made several experiments with the ore, drew the attention of the public to the fact that with very little trouble the rough ore could be manufactured into a powder suitable for making hematite paint, and from one or two merchants he received orders for small parcels of the prepared powder. The appliances he had at command for grinding the ore, however, were not sufficient to reduce it to a fine enough powder, and although a voiy serviceable article was produced it was not sufficiently good to compete with the better prepared powder. Finding that there was a ready sale for a really good article, Mr. Edwards endeavoured to excite more interest in the manufacture of tho powder, and an attempt was made to form a company with a view of procuring better machinery, and going more extensively into the making of good powder. Owing, however, to public attention being diawn away upon other matters the attempted company did not succeed, and the matter was allowed to drop for a time. Mr. Edwaids still rccievcs orders for his powder, and continues io make a very fair article, considering the appliances lie has for manufacturing it. lloceutly additional attention has been drawn to this matter through Mr F. Bennett discovering, on the Tararu Creek, an almost inexhaustible quantity of the crude ore, and he is attempting to get the public to take interest in the manufacture of hematite powdor. The powder, when properly made ly be in" "round very fine and well oxidised, by being well roasted in a kiln, makes an excellent paint for almost every descr'ption of ironwork and is largely used by iron-founders, boiler makers, shipbuilders, &c. With proper appliances the powder is not difficult o manufacture, and, considering the large quantities of tho crude ore which can readily be obtained, production of hematite paintshonld proven profitableundertaking. —Ncio Zealand Herald.