Bentonite Deposits

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 40, 3 March 1937, Page 4

Bentonite Deposits

analysis in hand Further Uses of Product Outlined MANY T0NS IN SEA , Until the results of analytical research at present being carried. out in Wellington axe known, the future development of the Bentonite deposits at Porangahau, the discovery of which was reported in yesterday 's Herald-Tribune, will not he decided on. It is understood thati the deposits are exceptionally pure, and should be capable of being easily and efficiently worked. Already the deposits have been visited hy high Government officials, including the Director of the Department of Scientific and Industtial Research, Dr. E. Marsden, and there is a prospect of the Hon. E. Semple, Minister of Public Works. also inspecting the area, As far as the a'ctual development of the area is concerned, although the. present research is being carried out by Government officers, there is no indication as yet ihat the Government mtends to work the deposits. From observations already made, the Bentonite should be capable of being easily and cheapiy worked with a winch and tractors. Samples of Bentonite have now been reeeived by the Herald-Tribune, and these show that the material is of a light greeny-grey colour, resembling papa in its formation, and of a friable nature. It is understood that Bentonite is of volcanic origin, being forced up from underground through fissures in sandstone and limestone country. Bentonite is believed to be identioal with an American product called "Puddlo," at present imported into the Dominion for incorporation in the New Zealand cement mixtures. It is first crushed, puddled and dried and then the powdered product is mixod with the cement. By the addition of Bentonite to the standard cement mixture, a waterproof cement is obtained, such as is used in the construction of spillways and conerete water tanks. Cement is not the only purpose to which Bentonite can be applied. The powdered material is also utilised in tha manufacture of certain soaps and as an ingredient in face powders. Bentonite also fulfils a valuable role in mud-pack beauty treatments, possessing as lt does certain properties which have a healthy and invigorating action on the cells of the sldn. Samples Under Test. Samples of Bentonite from Mr Stoddart's ' property are being tested i'n Wellington by Government analytical chemists, and, although the results of their investigations have not yet been announeed, it is understood that the deposits are exceptionally pure, containing 90 per cent. of the mineral, as compared with' other deposits which test out at only 40 per cent. purity. Since tbe discovery of tbe seam of Bentonite at Porangahau, the site bas been visited by Dr Marsden, head of tbe Department of Scientific and Indunstrial Research, under wbose direetion tbe present survey into tbe geological formation of Hawke's Bay is being carried out. Lord McGowan, chairman and managing-director of imperial Chemical Industries Ltd., bas also inspected the area, but it is understood that bis company is in no way concerned with any developmental project associated with the discovery. While Mr Semple is visiting Hawke's Bay this month, it is understood that be will make an inspection of tbe area, and discuss later with the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, the possibilities, Slipped into Sea Mr Harold Stoddart, the owner of the property, has occupied this farm for the past 11 years. The farm is situated 36 miles from Waipukurau and some seven miles from Porangahau on the Cook's Tooth road. The deposits are actually on the sea-front, and it is stated that some thousands of tonB of Bentonite have slipped into the sea below the deposits. The surrounding country is hilly, and is largely of limestone formation. The actual discovery was mad© by Mr G. Sadler, oi the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, who was carrying out part of the soil survey on the property of Mr Stoddart and hds neighbour. Following this, Dr Marsden, accompanied hy Dr Henderson, also of the department, visited the site, in company with other experts.