Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, JULY 27th, 1917. CHEAP LIME.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, JULY 27th, 1917. CHEAP LIME.

The agitation for cheap lime for the pastoral lands of the West Coast has gone on' unavailingly for a long time past- At last there is every hope of the great need being supplied. The remarkable deposit located within the Ross Borough promises to make the way plain to the certainty °f cheap lime. The deposit is ft very large one, estimated as equal to all possible requirements for long years to come. Its accessibility could hardly be improved upon, for it is almost at the end of a dray road which requires little more than ordinary maintenance to equip it to carry the traffic. The quality of tho stone has been passed by the Government analyist as carrying up to 96 per cent. The whole conditions of the proposal thereto, o seem ideal. The deposit can he u*, veloped at a very small cost, a face which will minimise tho cost of the produot. As to cost, this promises to b@ more satisfactory than was hoped for at the outeet. Ait first it was thought possible to pl ft co the product on tho markot at 22s 6d per ton, Ross railway station. At this price there would bo a largo demand for tho product. 'Later estimates as a resm v . er opening up the country, and going into tho question of transport, suggest a large cut off this price. As regards price the farmers can anticipate if they lend their financial aid to the flotation of the company, and the installation of tho plant, that the lime will be available at a very cheap cost. This being so there can ho no uwu opinions as to the importance of the now industry on the future of the district. Lime will be of great efficacy to local lands. What are at present regarded as poor lands will be brought into greater profit, for it is tho poorer class of land which requires limo moat. The value of burnt lime ia well known to those who have in a small way hitherto, carried out experiments in liming their lands. Limo acts most agreeably on _ local soils. It corrects acidity and .assists fertility, and the pastures respond very quickly. ’me stock appreoiato the change and thrive exceedingly. Tho chemical changes are lasting in their effect, and the land derive*, a value which will be appreciated by the settler. Tho Government show their desire to see the more general use of lime that a subsidy of 3s per ton is available for the

company until 5,000 ton* output ar*

jjrcdtuded. Th(a Bottlers have fcvery reason to support the proposal, which is for their immediate benefit. In the present! instance! local residents will have the support and co-operation of the northern settlers extending up tile Grey Valley. This further indicates the importance of the project to the farming community, and will give the enterprise stability and an assured value for the future. An unusual opportunity is offering, and us settlement is now bocoming the backbone of tbo district, the occasion is very opportune, and should be encouraged in every -way possible.