RAILS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18233, 18 November 1924, Page 10

RAILS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

WORK FOR IDLE MILL IN BARROW. (*I CABLK— PBKS3 ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT) (BETTER'S TEL2GEAMS.) LONDON, November 16. A considerable contribution to the relief of unemployment in Barrow will follow the New Zealand Government's order given to the Barrow Steel Company for steel rails costing approximately £400,000. The rail mill has been idle for months. PORT FACILITIES.

BRITAIN LAGGING BEHIND. (BT CABLE —PBJSSS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT) (AU6TBALLAS AND K.Z. CABLE' ASSOCIATION.) LONDON,- November 15. The report of the Port Facilities Committee, appointed in the autumn, of 1923 by the Chamber of shipping of the United Kingdom, in consequence of complaints by foreign shipowners that the ports were in many re-specfi; obsolete, states that the cost ot handling bulk cargoes is G7 per cent, higher at British ports than ;vt Continental ports while, with regard to London, expenditure has been concentrated on more distant sections like Tilbury, to the neglect of docks nearer the city.

LONDON METHODS CRITICISED. (atjstbaliajj un> w.z. cable association.) (Received November 17th, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 16. ' The Chamber Shipping Committee seriously criticises the methods of handling food in London. It points out that the Victoria and' Albert Docks are both unprotected Against weather. Frozen meat is handled in all weathers and left exposed on the quayside before going to its destination. Also the Port of London Authority's plant for dealing; with bulk grain ia most inadequate, with a capacity of 63 tons hourly compared with Liverpool's 125 tons.

OUTLOOK IN SAMOA. (PUSS ASSOCIATION TZLEGBAM.) WELLINGTON, November 17. ' The quarterly reports of the Departmental activities of- the Samoan Administration, received by the Minister of External Affairs, the Hon. Sir Francis Bell, show great improvement in the economic position. The figures of the Crown Estates Department for the first seven months of the year indicate that operations will show very substantial profits, against losses made in the last three years, during the worst of the slump. The outlook for copra and cocoa beans was most encouraging, aiid the crops of cocoa this year give every indication of being well above the average. Already, for seven months df the yeaij 775 tons had been shipped, as against less than 300 tons for the coxresponding- period;' Tho" authorities are seeking new markets in New Zealand and elsewhere. Experiments are being made with the planting of cotton, and so far the indications are that the industry will be successfully established. Another product giving every promise of being successfully established is tobacco.

MEAT FOR FRANCE. NO IMPORT DUTY ON N.Z. PRODI) Ci*. ! CVZ CULI—;UI9 ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT) . (AUBTRALIAH AMD V.Z. CASUS ASSOCIATION.) (Received November 17th, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, November 16. The Minister of Agriculture, announces that, in ortter to reduce the cost of living, the Government intends to abolish import duties on meat, except from the Argentine, Brazil, and Uruguay. An Opposition journal claims that these are the only available sources of supply, but does not mention Australia and New Zealand. v ANGLO-PERSIAN OIL. (lY CASUS—PBS4S ASSOCIATION—COPTEIOHT) (EEUTErt's TELIQEAH3.) LONDON, November 16. The report of the directors of the AngloPersian Oil Company for the year ended Maroh 3lst last states that the profits exceeded £2,500,000. The report recommends the payment on December 31st of a dividend on ordinary shares of • 10,-. per cent., 1%3s income tax, leaving .£1,746,000 to bo carried forward. SEARCH FOR OIL. WEST AUSTRALIAN AREAS. .The American geologist, Dr. F. G. CLapp, who has been 1 making an investigation. on behalf of Mr A. E. Broue, of Sydney, of the oil prospects in certain blocks of land in West Australia, over which Mr Broue held an option, returned to Sydney l:ist week. As a result of his investigations, Dr. dapp states that, speaking; generally, the oil prospects in areas examined are not at all encouraging. The blocks held by Air Broue are known technically as IH, 2H, 230, 28H, 29H, and 105 H, and they comprise an area of about 200,000 square jniles. These blocks comprise a targe portion of the two geological basins known as the Desert Basin and the North-west Basin, both which are artesian water areas, the rocks being largely at permo-carboniferous age. They were regarded as being perhaps the favourable region in West Australia for petroleum oil. Dr. Clapp will later submit a detailed report to Mr Broue. ■ During his investigation. Dr. Clapp's expedition covered <2>out 6000 miles in the vicinity of this area, and visited 6ome territory believed never before to have been traversed by white men. He travelled from Perth, northward -to Broome, and as far up as Capo Ixsveque on the northern tip of tho western ieide of King Sound, fliid in places penetrated long distance# back into the interior. Dr. Clapp will leave shortly for New Zealand to <x>mpioto certain investigations on behalf of Mr Broue and his associates.

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