8. In writing of the tests made upon the "Glenogle's" cargo, the Resident Engineer says - "briquette was left in the mould one day after making, then placed in water for 5 days, then out of water for one day, thus making 7 clear days of age" - I assume that he had a system, to which he adhered, and that all the briquettes were treated in like manner and, except where so stated, were broken at the 7 days. He further writes -
9. "Robin's cement is not a clean cement to mix and work. It is muddy and clings to the trowel and does not seem, in my opinion, a first-class article. Two briquettes broke across the neck, simply in drying in the mould. All the specimens shrank slightly in the brass moulds. The cement, on being broken, was a dark muddy colour, soft enough to be easily scratched. After the Robins bricks are 3 to 4 months old, the surface is very white and floury.
"The cement when used pure or mixed, or in equal proportions of sand, and used liquid for grouting, shrinks considerably. Robin's Cement is probably a very slow setting cement."
"The difference between the Brown agent's specification and the local tests is very great."
10. This last quotation is certainly...