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EDITORIAL 
WHITE EARTHENWARE INVESTIGATIONS. 
Satisfactory progress is being made in the experimental work which 
was recently instituted at Ballarat, and the protracted preliminary 
inyestigations which have already been carried out show beyond doubt 
that there are great possibilities in the development of the White 
Earthenware industry. In the past the main trouble has been to ascer- 
tain in what proportion the various necessary constituents are to. be 
blended. Clays in new districts differ from those found in the old 
districts of Europe, and extensive work has to be undertaken to deteér- 
mine the correct proportions, as old formule cannot be adopted for new 
materials. During recent months shafts have been sunk in the Ballan, 
Lal Lal, and Linto districts, and 1-ton samples of clay from them have 
been forwarded to the School of Mines at Ballarat. For the manufac- 
ture of high grade earthenware, in addition to suitable kaolin, there is 
required felspar, either in the form of Cornish stone or pure crystalline 
felspar. Of these materials extensive tests have been made with 
specimens collected from all parts of Victoria, and occasionally from 
other States. Considerable success has been met with in this work, as 
well as in the search for ball clay, which is needed to mix with kaolin in 
order to give it that elasticity which is essential if it is to be worked on 
the wheel. a 
; Fes: 
A clay treatment plant is now being erected. It includes a 10-inch 
filter press, a 10-inch pug mill, and some small ball mills driven by an 
electric motor. This will enable the work to be proceeded with on 
something approaching commercial lines. 
GOLD INVESTIGATIONS AT BENDIGO. 
The third year’s work on the above investigations is now completed, 
and a report on the work is in the printer’s hands. At the time of the 
appointment of Dr, Stillwell as investigator it was thought that a period 
of not less than three years would be necessary for an adequate discussion 
of the problems involved. Prominent members of the mining industry 
and associations connected therewith have closely followed Dr. Stillwell’s 
work throughout, and haye recognised that as a result of it a mucle 
clearer perspective of the nature of the quartz reefs and gold shoots ‘has 
been developed, and that his: work will have an important be ring in 
guiding prospecting activities on the Bendigo gold-field.'’In’ these 
opinions the Committee concurs, and considers that, the work. will be 
especially valuable when the industry is suffering so seyerely from 
unfavorable economic conditions, and consequently is in need of all’ the 
technical assistance possible. GP CEN BEN ae oe 
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abrgbnsia 
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