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No. 58. Messrs. Young Beos. to Edward Masters, Esq., M.H.R. Forwarded to the Royal Commissioners on Local Industries. Sib,— Westport, 31st March, 1880. We beg to suggest for your consideration the advisability of endeavouring to have the Greymouth limestones investigated and experimented on, with the view of ascertaining whether cement or hydraulic lime could not be manufactured. We conceive that it is a matter that might be fairly brought before the Native Industries Commission, and on which public money might be profitably spent. As Portland cement is used increasingly and to a large extent in the colonies, and costs, say, £6 per ton, a large margin for cost of manufacture and shipping exists, even though the cement or lime produced had to be mixed for use in much larger proportions than the Portland. Success would depend much on the chemical constitution of the stone, which appears to vary in the various strata of Greymouth limestone ; but we believe that a strong lime, setting under water, has been already produced. The calcination of argillaceous limestone yields a good cement when the chemical properties and treatment in manufacturing are suitable. In view of the use of concrete in the Grey Harbour works even, the production of local cement or hydraulic lime would be important. So far as we know, the matter has never been gone into, the ordinary lime-burning being no test. It is possible that careful analysis might prove that none of the stone would yield a marketable article ; but, unless this were the case, a careful series of experiments with kilns, &c, on a small scale might yield very valuable results. Merely so-called "practical" experiments would be of questionable value, as the subject is one requiring much scientific knowledge — exact constituents, temperatures, treatment, &c, being apparently requisite ; therefore work should be done systematically under Dr. Hector, and not take the form of haphazard trials. It might be urged that, if it would pay, private means would have been before this employed ; but the limestone occurring in such quantity, and on the property of so many different holders, prevents monopoly and makes it " everybody's business." If the manufacture is proved possible, a bonus or other encouragement might be asked for to induce its establishment, which would both provide a local product to compete with imports and help to find consumption for local coal. We shall write to Mr. Burns, who is a member of the Industrial Commission, on this subject, so that he may be able to assist should the matter come before the Commission. We have, &c, Yoono Beos., Civil Engineers.

No. 59. Mr. John A. Whall, Town Clerk, G-reymouth, to the Chairman of the Colonial Industries Commission, Wellington. Bib,— Town Clerk's Office, Greymouth, 22nd June, 1880. I have the honor, by direction of the Council of the Borough of Greymouth, respectfully to request that the Commissioners for the promotion of colonial industries will take into consideration the desirability of advising the Government of the necessity for procuring the manufacture of cement and hydraulic lime within the colony, and to state that it is the opinion of lime-burners in Greymouth and others that some of the limestones in this locality would be capable of producing cement and hydraulic lime if the process for making the same is undertaken by a practical man who understands the business of its manufacture; also, that it has been suggested that samples of the various strata of limestones from this locality should be forwarded to your Commission to have the same analyzed, with a view of ascertaining how far these opinions are correct. In accordance with instructions from the Council, I have transmitted a box containing samples of limestones procured by Mr. Godfrey, limeburner, from the various strata of limestone which he is now using for making lime, and respecting which he states as his opinion that, if burnt in a properly-constructed kiln by a cement-burner, would make cement; also, samples of limestone from which he has made good hydraulic lime. I am further directed to state that the Council of the Borough of Greymouth would esteem it a favour if the Commissioners would take such steps as would lead to the manufacture of these cements from the limestones, which exist in inexhaustible quantities in this district. I have, &c, John A. Whall, Town Clerk. Schedule of Samples.' —1, hydraulic lime ; 2, good lime ; 3, good lime ; 4, fair lime ; 5, fair lime 6, lime liable to clinker in burning ; 7, sample of No. 6, burnt.

No. 60. Mr. John A.. Whall to E. Masters, Esq., M.H.R. Forwarded to the Royal Commission on Local Industries, Wellington. Sib,— Town Clerk's Office, G-reymouth, 23rd June, 1880. I have this day forwarded a box, addressed to you, per " Charles Edward," containing samples of limestones which I have been ordered by this Council to obtain and forward to the Commissioners for promoting local industries ; also, enclosed letter for your perusal, addressed to the Commissioners. Should you think it the best course to adopt to obtain the analysis, if in time please have the letter and box delivered to the Commissioners ; or, if- you think it most advisable that the samples should bo delivered to Dr. Hector, if not in time for the Commissioners, please do so. I have, &c, John A. Whall, Town Clerk.