INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16829, 26 May 1919, Page 3

INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE

IRON ORES AND ALCOHOL. Perj Press Association. , WELLINGTON, May 24. Giving evidence before the Industries ' Committee, Mr Morgan, . Government Geologist, stated that the Parapara block would probably .contain 63,000 tons* of iron ore, averaging about 44 per cent, metallic ore, which was therefor* of medium grade. The most extensive deposits of ironsand were near Patea, where 5,394,000 tons, of high grade ore is believed to exist. In the production of pig iron, he would try Parapara ore first, as it could be worked more cheaply than Taranaki ironsand. He thought it better that the Government should build its own works than pay the subsidy that had been asked to assist private enterprise. Dr MacLaurin advocated making commercial alcohol from waste products, particularly sawdust *and waste flax mills. He considered the matter well worthy of the fullest investigation. Alcohol had been made on a commercial scale from wood at BJd to Is per gallon, and it averaged fifteen gallons to the ton of dry wood. On that basis it should be practicable in New I Zealand. To prevent abuse the proI duction should be a Government I monopoly.