ROSS LIME WORKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1924, Page 1

ROSS LIME WORKS.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. A deputation from the West Coast Fanners Dime Producing Coy. waited on the lion W. Nosworthy, Minister of Agriculture on Friday afternoon at floss, being introduced ‘ by Hon J. Crimmond. There were present Messrs .). .McLean of (Ireymouth and Joint Minehan (Directors) and J. Murdoch , Secretary. .Mr .Morpeth, Commissioner of Crown Lands, was also pi’esent. The matter was introduced bv the Secretary namely the absolute necessity for a bridge at the Works if ever they were going to provide cheap lime for the fanning community. Every member of the deputation backed up the Secretary’s argument with the pleasing result that the Hon Minister promised that after consulting his colleagues on his return to Wellington lie had no doubt but that we would get the bridge.

The Secretary then asked would the Mou Minister confer with the -Minister of Railwavs and see if a concession

could be made on sav, the first 100 trucks of agricultural lime going to farmers and fruitgrowers north of Christchurch,’where there was not already a lime kiln inside the 100 mile limit. The idea is to distribute to 100 farmers one truck cadi of Ross lime as sample of what 0-1% calcium can do on their land. The Minister promised to favourably consider tree railage for 100 trucks to farmers who were beyond the 100 mile limit from any kiln. After a friendly eliat on his trip in wonderland he was asked what he thought of the land. He immediately replied that he believed that South Wstiand, like every other part of New Zealand, wanted lime and wanted it badly.

The Secretary then fired bis last request. “Would the lion 31 blister lend-a sympathetic ear to the man in tlie back blocks who bad not the privileges of the man with a railway line nt bis doer. Would bo grant a subsidy on the carriage of lime and manures to progressive fanners in .South Westland.” The owners of the Elsie have offered to reduce the freight on lime in 2b ton lots to 2os per ton from Hokitika to Okarito. Ihe lorry to Wa taroa has offered to reduce the carriage of lime when carting cheese as hack leading to £3 per ton. Wo were promised favourable consideration and on bis return to Millington he would go into all these requisites and give us a written reply.' He expressed bis pleasure on learning that the sales of lime for the half year ending -March 31st last, was more than double the sales for -the corresponding period of the previous year.