NEW ZEALAND MARBLE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1779, 18 June 1913, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND MARBLE.

A NEW INDUSTRY, ' A Dominion reporter was recently shown a block of marble taken from the Takaka Hill, near Sandy Bay, Nelson, and it is claimed for this that it will revolutionise tho marble trado in New Zealand. At present most of the marble used in tho Dominion comes from Italy, America sending the second largest quantity.' This -New Zealand marble exists in largo deposits on the Takaka Hills, •near;-tho sea, and already the New Zealand' Marble and Cement Co., Ltd., are ranking arrangements to have tho most up-to-dato machinery put in for getting tho stone out. Experts havo tested tho local- marble, and consider it better suited for building purposes than the Vermont, marble. It is stated to polish well, to be easily worked for a stono of the, kind, and to bo very durable. It has been specified a 9 an alternative stone for the new Parliament Buildings, and should it 'bo used will, it is urged,, enhanco. tho beauty .of the building. Tho marblo is of a iight grey to dark blue colour, with, dark bands running through the lighter shades. It is just making its appearanco on the market, and every effort will bo made to build up a great industry. Tho marblo industry of America employs some 50,000 hands, and exports to every port of tho world. Tho Takaka Hills marblo is said to bo evon better than the American, stono. and unlimited quantities caji ba obtained. 1 A specimen of polished marble, recently brought from the Takaka quarries, is on view at tho Art Memorial Co. s premises. Adelaido Road. It has a beautiful appearance, and a very high polish; and is free from the blemishes usually found in New Zenlnnd stones.