52 



such material, and rely upon getting a steel containing the necessary 

 percentage of chromium, and not varying between a maximum and a 

 minimum with a wide range. 



There are innumerable purposes for which such material would be 

 eminently suitable, and for these purposes alone should it be used. 

 It baa been stated that chromiferous pig iron ought to be used for the 

 production of chilled shot. Beyond a doubt it would do admirably 

 but considering that a very much commoner iron can be used at a 

 great saving of expense it will never be adopted for such a purpose. 



It will never do to try and force this material on the market 

 except for those purposes for which its peculiar characteristics 

 render it specially adapted. 



The limit of useful application for chrome steel is clearly defined, and 

 no efforts should be made to take it outside of this. 



The blast furnace and smelting plant erected for the production 

 of the chrome iron and steel would be equally suitable for the pro- 

 duction of non-chromiferous or pure metal. 



With the materials at hand a very fine kind of wrought iron and 

 steel could be produced, and for best) purposes nothing finer need be 

 desired, for the materials are such that the product would be a 

 magnificent sample, and up to any possible tests and specification 

 requirements. 



So far as the writer is aware, the Tasmanian coals are all unsuita- 

 ble for smelting purposes, and even if this is not the case, the cost of 

 transport would be prohibitive. Apart from this, the best results, 

 both as regards the product and the financial aspect of the venture, 

 would be achieved by smelting with charcoal. For this purpose the 

 adjoining bush country will supply ample timber of a suitable quality 

 at a minimum cost. 



To sum up in a few words the opinions held by the writer concern- 

 ing these mineral deposits of the North coast : 



The non-chromiferous ores are amongst the finest known to exist in 

 the world. They are eminently suitable for the manufacture of iron 

 and steel of the highest possible class, they are easily mined and 

 smelted, require very little flux, and should be reduced by means of 

 charcoal. The best and most suitable method of producing steel from 

 the pig iron would be the Bessemer. These ores make the finest flux 

 lor the treatment of galena and silver-lead, and should find a ready 

 sale in this direction at remunerative prices, their freedom from 

 alumina and chromium rendering them peculiarly adapted for such a 

 purpose. 



The manufacture of a charcoal-iron of very fine quality could 

 be made to pay handsomely, quality being more considered than 

 quantity. 



The chromiferous ores could be utilised for the production of a high 

 class of chrome steel, for which a good market already exists, and 

 could be enormously increased. 



The running of the two branches of the iron trade together would 

 render the chances of success very much greater. Provided the proper 

 course be followed. I see no reason whatever to fear failure, although 

 maDy of the points and arguments in favour of such a scheme cannot 

 be enumerated in a paper of this length. 



The site for the works must be carefully selected, so as to minimise 

 the cost of handling both raw and finished material as much as 

 possible ; the works must be laid out and constructed on the most 

 modern design ; the furnaces and plant erected according to the best 



