LIME WORKS PROJECT AT PUNAKAIKI

Grey River Argus, 13 April 1948, Page 6

LIME WORKS PROJECT AT PUNAKAIKI

Rock Available of

Suitable Quality

Provided electric power could be obtained, a new co-operative lime works would be opened in the Punakaiki area within the next few months. The proposed works, it was stated yesterday to the Grey River Argus, would be capaole or producing 2.5U0 tons of high grade lime annually. It would require a starting capital of £l5OO to produce this apiount. It was thought, nowever. that alter production had been carried on for a little while, the annual output could be extended. A meeting of settlers in the Barrytown-PunaKaiki area was held recently, when the jposition was explained to those interested. It was unanimously decided to ask for a subsidy for the enterprise from the Government. An indication of enthusiasm in the matter was an offer by one settler to provide £5OO of the original capital, as well as numerous offers of smaller amounts by other farmers. The present, butterfat production of the area which would be covered by the proposed works was placed at 80,0001bs annually. This, it was said, could be greatly stepped up with the introduction of lime to poor areas of sandy loam and heavy river flats. If the lime were produced in sufficient quantity, 6000 acres of land could be brought into high production. The land was stated to be deficient in lime to the extent of three tons per acre on an average, although some tracts required much more than thatHIGH PERCENTAGE Speaking on behalf of the settlers interested, Mr G. C, Haydon, said that there was a good face of lime situated at Punakaiki, and that this was soft ,easily crushed stone. Samples had been sent to Lincoln College, Canterbury, and tested by Dr A. Burns. The tests had revealed a lime content of 78.6 per cent., and the anaiyist stated that the stone was of excellent quality. Mr Haydon added that Dr Burns had advised that production should be got going as soon as possible, as super phosphate was procurable only at a high price and tnat transportation costs were sufficient to force the. price still higher. If plenty of lime of the quality of the Punakaiki deposit were us r ed, only a small amount of super phopsate would be necessary. A committee has been formed as a nucleus lor the proposed company, and advice has been sought from, the manager of the Koiterangi Lime Works. The setuers have been told that the lime id a good class of stone, and could be crushed at a cost of 15s per ton at-the bins, and delivered at 25s per ton within a seven mile radius. NEED FOR POWER Tentative orders for 750 tons of lime have already been received by the committee, it is expected that the figure would rise above 1000 tons oefore the end of the present year *if production were commenced. It is proposed that capital should be raised in the form of £1 shares and that for each share owned, a farmer be entitled to one and a half tons of lime annually, and for each £1 share owned by a returned soldier tne annual quota be three tons. The main obstacle to the erection of the works at present, it was stated, is lack of electric power. Once this were brought to the proposed site, the building could be erected and production commenced. A report on rural reticulation in the area is at present being drafted by the Grey Power Board’s engineer, Mr S. .Trotter. It is stated that indvidual members of the Power Board have been circularised to prompt the extension of its line to Punakaiki.

It was further stated yesterday that nearly 3000 tons of flax which is being sent to Westport each year for processing, could be attended to at Barrytown if power were supplied.