NEW ZEALAND IRON.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1054, 2 July 1883, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND IRON.

The manufacture of iron, says the Auckland Herald, promises ere long to be one of the staple industries of Auckland. The works which were erected at Onehunga have apparently passed their experimental stage, and a very large extension is about to be carried out. The ore used is the practically inexhaustible supply of iron sand which lies along our western coasts, and which is found in vast quantities in the sheltered places in many of our harbours and tidal creeks. By the experiments which have been conducted at Onehunga it has been found that the Taupiri coal serves all the purposes of the more expensive wood charcoal,, which was previously used for certain purposes connected with the deoxidising of the ore. This is a discovery of great practical importance, as -the cost of production will thereby be very largely reduced. The importance of the successful manufacture of iron in our midst cannot be over-estimated. Iron, in some form or other, is an article which is required in every manufacturing undertaking, large or small; and when we become the producers of this commodity, at a price which fairly competes with the supply from Europe, we ’shall find our trade vastly increased, and openings made for our merchants which are now closed. . It is estimated that with proper plant at Onehunga, good bar iron can be produced from our iron sand at a cost less than that for which ordinary iron from Staffordshire can be laid down on Queen street wharf. If so, we see no reason why the Company now in course of formation should stop at the preparation of bar iron, pig iron, or even fencing wire, although New Zealand consumes nearly 23,000 tons of these kinds every year, and Australia considerably over 100,000 tons more. The ironworks at Onehunga are so situated as to have a frontage to the harbour. Instead of confining their operations to the preparation of these forms of iron, if the

requisite plant were procured for manufacturing ship-plates, iron shipbuilding might be inaugurated there with every prospect of success. The prospects of the undertaking are highly encouraging. The iron sand and coal are here in unlimited supply for, at least several generations to come, and few things would make New Zealand better known than converting the Manuknu harbour into a miniature Clyde. Every industry successfully carried on in oar midst helps to add to our wealth as a community, but few manufacturing industries would have ,such a beneficial or permanent influence for good as that of iron making. It is one which should receive every encouragement until it is fairly floated on the sea of prosperity.