DEPOSITS OF IRON ORE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22516, 26 September 1938, Page 6

DEPOSITS OF IRON ORE

DEVELOPMENT AT ONEKAKA PROFITABLE OUTCOME EXPECTED OPINION OF MINISTER FOR

MINES

[From Our Own Reporter.)

MOTUEKA, September 25,

"From what I have learned the

chances are a hundred to one that the iron ore deposits at Onekaka will be most profitably developed," said the Minister for Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb) in an interview after visiting Onekaka to-day. "The survey is being most thoroughly undertaken, and the completion of this work is expected by next April. Then th Government will be in a position to decide on the exact site and the extent of the smelting works, and to go i ahead with the establishment of the industry and township."

The Minister made a short inspection of the works and was shown records being taken of findings from the tunnelling operations. He was accompanied by Dr. E. Marsden, head of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, whose visit coincides with that of the Minister, and by officers of the Iron and Steel Department. At the moment it was not possible to estimate at all accurately the quantity of the iron ore deposits, the Minister said, but it had been proved that in the Onekaka block itself, which was I one of three blocks, the deposit was not as large as the company promoters three years ago estimated. It was well known that the most valuable deposits were to be found in the Washbourn block at Parapara, and results so far were'most encouraging.

Onekaka Hill presents an interesting sight at present, with tracks all round I its contours at 100 feet intervals and tunnels running into the hill at various points on these tracks. These had been put in by the Iron and Steel Department for samples at all depths for quantitative and qualitative analysis in the laboratory at the site. The ore is being tested, and the Minister was told the results were not unpromising. Meanwhile a coal survey at Westport and Greymouth is being accelerated so that the whole of the information necessary for the major decisions Of Onekaka's future will be available at oiiee. For this purpose a'further £ISOO appears on the Supplementary Estimates.

Power Is available for the works from the Cobb river, a*id this will be an important consideration in making decisions about the methods of treatment and smelting. The survey is being pushed forward at the same time oh the possible township and wharf sites.

ATTITUDE OF MEMBER CRITICISM MINISTER MR HOLYOAKE AND ONEKAKA PROPOSALS CFrom Our Own Reporter.]

MOTUEKA, September 25. "How anybody knowing l the way the field was played with in. the past* and the importance of the development of the iron ore deposits to the whole of New Zealand, can ally himself with the reactionaries to strangle and stifle the Onekaka scheme gets beyond my comprehension," said the Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister for Mines, commenting in a political address at Takaka on Saturday evening on the attitude of Mr K. J. Holyoake, member; and National candidate for Motueka, towards the Government's undertakings at Onekaka. "The member for Motueka must have found it difficult to vote against it," said the Minister, "but his loyalty to his party meant disloyalty to you and his electorate,"

The Opposition said that Onekaka should be handed over to private enterprise, but the Government took up that matter, said the Minister. It was so important from the National Party point of view that private enterprise should be in charge. There was no idea of accumulating profits and stabbing at private enterprise, but the industry would employ huge numbers Of men and State direction was essential. He was in Parliament years ago when Mr R. McKenzie, then member for Motueka, Sir Joseph Ward, and Sir Thomas Sidey all walked over to the same lobby as Labour, protesting against the handing over of the deposits to private enterprise. Until now the valuable assets had been only tinkered with, said Mr Webb The Government had said it would spend £5.000,000 on the development of the industry, which would give-em-ployment to large numbers and also keep farmers in the neighbouring districts busy. Soon there might be' seen a township 6t-,- 0000 to 10.000 iff *i a result ot the State handling the deposits as they should be handled. -- l ** Before embarking ori.spending publie money on this .great scheme the Government was going to examine tha quantity and quafity .of the TeV. and wh £ n "started' the iron works it would ?Kj? ith , a complete knowledge of the deposits, whereas before there was no idea how much was to be found Tunnels were now being bored into the 1 ? 6 Government was going to spend a fair amount of money on the preliminary work. y xne