138 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Sept. 
shipped in large quantities, it can probably be brought to New Zealand 
as cheaply as it can be moved from one part of Tasmania to another if 
in smaller quantities. 
The above opinions are offered as a probable course of development 
which occurs to one upon regarding the general trend of events, and my 
conclusion is that the manufacture of nitrates will be largely confined to 
Europe and America, whilst the treatment of zinc-ores and complex ores 
generally will be conducted on an equally large scale in Australia and 
New Zealand. 
Another possible use of the water-power on the West Coast Sounds is 
for smelting Taranaki ironsands by electricity. The ore when concen¬ 
trated is rich in iron, and should yield a good class of pig iron with very 
little loss if treated electrically. Both ore and coal or coke would require 
to be transported to the sounds, but, on the other hand, the power could 
be obtained at a low-enough cost to compensate for the cost of transpor¬ 
tation. Inasmuch, however, as a process of smelting these sands has vet 
to be developed, there is no immediate prospect of the West Coast Sounds 
being used for this purpose. 
Summary. 
The foregoing may be shortly summarized as follows :— 
1. The Sounds of Westland do not possess any material superiority over 
the Scandinavian fiords as regards cheap development. 
2. The market for nitrogenous fertilizers in New Zealand and Australia 
at present is a negligible quantity. 
3. The supply of Chile nitrates is not approaching exhaustion, and it 
is estimated to last two hundred years at the present rate of consumption. 
4. The supply of ammonium sulphate, being a by product of the coke- 
oven and the gas industry, is a steadily increasing quantity with the 
development of the arts, the increase in population, and the more econo¬ 
mical use of coal in producer-gas engines and in other ways. 
5. Other processes- have been established in Germany for fixing atmo¬ 
spheric nitrogen, notably the Haber process ; and, as this is worked in 
conjunction with by-product hydrogen and by-product sulphuric acid, 
there is a prospect of a cheap fertilizer being obtained which will add to 
the existing sources of nitrogenous fertilizers. 
6. It is not deemed advisable that the Government should embark upon 
a scheme of producing nitrogenous fertilizers. 
7. The issue of a license to a company for the said purpose is a question 
of policy. The proper machinery has been set up for issuing licenses, the 
terms and conditions being easily complied with. 
8. A supply of cheap sulphuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, 
caustic soda, and caustic potash, inasmuch as they are the raw material 
of so many industries, is desirable. Generally speaking, however, this can 
be produced locally, and efforts of the Department have been directed 
towards encouraging existing industries to make their own supply, which 
is greatly facilitated by the supply of cheap electric power. 
9. Although the harbour and power conditions are favourable to the 
establishment of an electro-chemical business, it is extremely doubtful 
whether a nitrate business could be successfully conducted, because of 
other adverse conditions. Other processes, such as the electro-metallur¬ 
gical reduction of zinc-ores, have a better chance of success, and the opinion 
is expressed that in the ordinary course of events the complex ores of 
Australia will be brought to the West Coast Sounds for treatment. 
