THE IRON INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 28 October 1911, Page 5

THE IRON INDUSTRY.

IX XEW SOUTH WALES. ROYAL COMMISSION'S REPORT. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Sydney. October 27. The report of the Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the suitability of Xew South Wales ores for iron and steel manufacture, the cost of production, and if the Government's arrangement with Messrs. Iloskins was beneficial to the fioTernment, finds that in a number of instances serious irregularities were committed in carrying out contracts; it condemns the laxity of the Government officials and the present arrangement with Messrs. Hoskins, suggesting its revival. The commission is satisfied that, given modern equipment, pig iron could be produced in Australia at 54s per ton. It recommends that blast furnaces be constructed near the seaboard. It considers that Messrs. Hoskins are undertaking an impracticable task in attempting to manufacture steel rails under the existing agreement with the Xew South Wales Government. It estimates it would cost £1,500,000. to establish suitable iron and steel works.

As a result of the report, Mr. Burgess, Government testing officer at Hoskins' works has been suspended.

SOME ALLEGATIONS

"A POLITICAL OUTRAGE." Received 28, 12.20 a.m. Sydney. October 27. Before the Steel Commissioner it was stated that Mr. Burrows, the Government testing officer, borrowed money from Messrs. Hoskins, which he did not repay. He lived in one of Messrs. Hoskins' houses, and owed rent. Mr. Hoskins. replying to the report, says it is a political outrage, and only possible when an ulterior motive is In view. He declares he laid the financial relations to sell to Burrows before the Minister of Works who promised to remove Burrows, and guaranteed that Hoskins should be repaid