The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JULY 2, DEVELOPING LOCAL RESOURCES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1882, 2 July 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JULY 2, DEVELOPING LOCAL RESOURCES.

Mount Somers seems destined ere long to be a district full of life and bust* ness. Coal, tin, marble, and even some species of diamonds have been taken from the locality. The tin mines, however, are not likely to be- developed, but the coal deposits are being drawn upon m a way which is likely ere long to give imported coal the go bye. The stone quarries are alio being rapidly developed, and the quality of the material brought from them to be used for building purposes is second to none for durability and attractiveness. Melbourne is at present taking hundreds of tons annually, and as the fame of the stone becomes known it will supersede the more popular sorts. It is a hard, clean working material, almost approaching the best marble, and capable of taking on a good polish. The latest development, however, m the resources of the district is lime burning. A substantial kiln has been erected, and all preparations made for turning out agricultural and building lime. In this district about xooo tons are utilised annually between building and gas purifying purposes, and if a, cheap and yet good article can be pro- ' cured locally we do not see why the local article should not have the preference. The management of the lime kilns after the next week will be m a position to supply a really good quality of lime. On the heaviest of our lands lime would be a direct benefit, and no one should know this better than farmers operating on such lands. We hope to hear when the industry is m full swing that the local article is a really good one. Any industry which gives employment and keeps the money circulating m the district is bound to benefit all concerned. We wish the promoters every success.