STATE COAL BRIQUETTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2079, 14 May 1907, Page 4

STATE COAL BRIQUETTES.

PROSPECTS OF THE ENTERPRISE.

TWO POINTS OF VIEW,

Tho briquette manufacturing plant imported by tho Government has boon sot up at Westport, and somo trial runs of tho plant have givon satisfactory results. An Evening Post roportor rocontly q l '' nued Mr 'Gasquoino, manager of i':o Stato 'Coal Dopartmont, concc uing the prospects of tho coal briquette industry. Ho stroke confidently of tho prospocts, and antieijratod that if tlioro was any trouble at all in storo it would be caused through an oxcoss of demands ovor tho available supply. Tho capacity of tho plant is 200 tons per day, there boing four machines with a capacity of 50 tons each. Tho first call upon. tho product will bo that of tho Railway Dopartmont throughout Now Zealand, and when that demand is satisfied tho demands of tho public will bo filled as far ns possible. As, liowevor, tho wholo of tho locomotives are likely to bo fired with tho briquottos, tho bulk of tho 200 tons por day output will probably be nooded for that jnirpo.se. It is anticipated that sales of briquettes to the jrublic will bo made at tho sarno jrrico as the charge for screened coal intondod for household uso. Each briquette weighs 41 jrounds. Household tests mado at Westport, last mmit.li established tliat tho briquettes burned at tho rate of one hour to oach pound weight, giving a good clear fire and burning entirely without odour. Mr. Gasquoino is certain that it will mako an excollont fuel for household uso. When the plant is in full working order it will give constant employment to about thirty men. Concerning tho financial asjioct of the enterprise, Mr. Gasquoino expressed himself quite confident that it would be self-suji-porting. Tho views of an observer lately upon the spot will havo special interest at the present timo. “I am doubtful as to the profit of tho venture,” said Mr. W. H. P. Barber, when speaking to a Post rejiorter about the plant. Mr. Barber thinks that the briquettes require so much handling that their selling value, compared with the price of ordinary coal, will be almost prohibitive. The situation of the plant, lie says, is a factor which adds to the cost of production. The coal has to be railed to Westport and the pitch., which is largely used in the manufacture of tho briquettes, has to be imported there. He is of opinion that the plant should he either at the mouth of the mine, or in one of the large centres of the colony. The plant was not in actual working order when he visited it. One of the engines was set going to illustrate how the briquettes were made. It turned them out at a high rate of speed — so fast that two men wore employed in. taking them away.