IMPORTANT NEW INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19137, 21 October 1927, Page 6

IMPORTANT NEW INDUSTRY

Early next year a new industry, and.oiie which should have the most far-reaching effects, will be commenced about a mile north of the Ashburton borough boundary, that of glassmaking. The factories are now completed, the machinery is on the water and will be landed shortly, and will be installed immediately on arrival, when a commencement with the industry mil be made. Besides being of benefit to the whole Dominion, this industry will be the means of bringing a largely increased population to the town. When., the full _factory is equipped it is estimated that 600 to 700 workers will be employed, although the growth will, of course, be gradual. The chief essential for the production of high-quality glassware is a pure silica —an inland sand. Sands of this nature are very rare and are to be found in only three districts in the Northern Hemisphere. Recently, however> a very remarkable deposit of virtually pure silica (Government analysis 99.98 per cent.) was discovered at Mount Somers. The deposit is a vast one, situated on Crown land, and it has been acquired by the company. The degree of purity is higher than the Continental deposits upon which leading English glassmakers depend for their supplies.. *