THE KAURI GIL INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 119, 13 February 1919, Page 8

THE KAURI GIL INDUSTRY

The now oil works for the Parenga. Gamfields, Limited, Auckland, are now rapidly approaching ci u-pletion, and are expected to lid in working order on their field at Hedhill, Northern Wairoa, at the end of March. These works are capable of turning out 100 barrels per week, and are so arranged that they can be extended indefinitely. Seven thousand five, hundred tons 'of material have been taken out ready for treatment, and,this will vield seventy-five gallons per ton. The average value of the oil is 2s. Gd. per gallon, taking pre-war values; but at the present tiuie'the bulk of the oil is worth 10s. per gallon. Jfrum the crude oil as it first comes out, several fractious or oils are produced by further refining. About fiitoon per cent, is motor spirit (benzine), the same proportion is a powerful solvent oil (used in writing un indiarubber), thirty per cent, paint oil, the same amount varnish oils, and the bal- ■ mice -pitcli. The oil itself is said In he uiii([iie, being the pure product of kauri gum ami the oil of the kauri tree. The companv has-a layer of the oil material four led thick, which is being quarried out with onlv one loot of over-burthen, and the cost of working is merely nominal; A single acre will produce 20IUKHI gallons, worth, ut 2s. (Id. per gallon, ,£2. r ),ll(IO. The cost of production will not exceed Gd. per gallon, all charges on board ship. The l'arenga (liimflelds. Ltd., own snine WKfl acres of this oii land (kauri gum swamps), and outside of this companv the State is (he largest holder of gum swamps, held as kauri gum reserves. Air. 0. J'i. /'.lderlon, the managing director of I lie company, is of opinion that the (.lovernmenl owns fully 100,001) acres of ihese oil swamps, mid asserts that if they were worked they could be made lo pay off the Doi ion's total war debt. The I rial run of the company's new works will be watched with very great interest, as the pnssibililies are assumed'to be «i enormous. In the Commonwealth of Australia (hern arc two large companies working shale oil, one with a million and a ([iiarter capital, and if the n «' venture up i\*lh proves a success other large companies will enter Hie field here, as the demand for every description of oil is practically unlimited. The Commonwealth fioveriiment assisted the oil business in Aus trnlia bv offering bounties to the extent of JSO.OiK). paying out 2d. a gallon to e:i courage its production. The bulk of the shares in the I'areiiga (lumfields, Ltd.. are held in Welling'ton.-d'ublished !>y arrangement.)

At ii nice!wig of "'p Wairnrapa Presbytery (in Tuesday, it was decided to recommend each congregation tj form a children's worshipping league. A committee was appointed lo meet the Kketnhuiin people mid discuss Ihe question of procuring the services of eji ordained minister. It was decided Hint monthly supply he provided for Pongaroa, the home* missionary (Mr. Wilson) having succumbed to influenza,