PERSONAL. 
For the first four years the “ Delprat” process was the subject of 
considerable litigation, the cause of which was a prior patent taken 
out by the late Mr. C. V. Potter in November, 1901, for obtaining the 
same results by the use of dilute acid solutions. The contention that 
Potter’s patent was invalid was upheld by the Courts through which it 
passed, but prior to coming before the High Court an agreement was 
made between the parties by which the Broken Hill Proprietary ob- 
tained the free use of either the “ Delprat” or the “ Potter” patents. 
From this time onwards, owing to sulphuric acid being substituted for 
bisulphate of soda, the process became known as the “ Delprat-Potter ” 
process, and the litigation ceased. 
Before coming to Australia Mr. Delprat ocenpied many important 
positions in the mining industry in other parts of the world. The 
story of his success is in all essentials the story of most successful men. 
It is summed up in hard working and hard thinking. His inclination 
was always towards science. Born. in Delft (Holland) in 1856, he 
finished his education at the local high school, and went to Scotland 
to serve his apprenticeship as a constructional engineer. His eyenings 
were given to study. During his spare hours he attended lectures in 
chemistry and physics at St. Andrew’s University, and he further 
pursued these studies at the Amsterdam University. For a period he 
worked under the eminent physicist, Professor Waals. His first im- 
portant position was as chief metallurgist for the Thasis Sulphate of 
Copper Company in Spain, and after four years in that capacity was 
placed in charge of the mines and works. : 
Two years later, in 1885, Mr. Delprat joined the Bede Metal and 
Chemical Company as manager of several mines, and in 1888 the general 
management of the whole business was placed in his hands. This 
company is a corporation formed by some of the directors of Armstrong, 
Whitworth and Company, including Sir Andrew Noble, Sir Mark 
Palmer (shipbuilder), Sir Walter Scott (contractor), and Mr. James 
Hall (ship-owner).. The syndicate owned and operated many large 
mining properties, and in the inspection of properties Mr. Delprat 
journeyed all over the world. It was the policy of the syndicate to 
operate any new mine taken up as a separate company, retaining the 
same directorate, and Mr. Delprat was appointed managing director 
of them all. He remained with the Bede Metal’ and Chemical Company 
_ until, in 1898, he accepted the position of general manager of the 
Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited. 
The vast experience which Mr. Delprat had gained has been put to 
good effect in the administration of the affairs of the Australian Pro- 
prietary. His big triumphs have been, as already indicated, the dis- 
_ covery of the flotation process and the establishment of the iron and 
steel works. The full fruits of the latter enterprise have not yet been 
gathered, but the tree is making vigorous growth. 
Mr. Delprat was one of the original members of the executive com- 
mittee of the Institute of Science and Industry, and during the vicissi- 
tudes of the past four years has not allowed his enthusiasm for this new 
Commonwealth undertaking to weaken. - Recently upon his return from 
a visit to the United States and Great Britain he expressed his dis- 
appointment that the Institute had not yet been placed on a permanent 
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