NEW LOCAL INDUSTRIES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1925, Page 3

NEW LOCAL INDUSTRIES

PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS,

A brief account is given in The annual report of the Department of Industries and Commerce of the progress of several new industries, each ot which is represented by one establishment. The Ouakaka (Golden Bay) works produced about 1000 tons of first grade pig iron last- year. This was all used by Dominion foundries, and was reported to he of excellent quality. Additional equipment has been installed, and the anticipated production of the new plan: is 11.000 tons per annum. This company will he able to produce the whoie of the Dominion’s requirements. A silk hosiery plant has been established in Wellington. Over 40 hands were employed at the commencement in 1924. and already extensions to the works are being made. The output of electrical insulators at Tcnntka, has been doubled during the past year, juul Government departments and power hoards are now recognising the excellent quality of this product. Competition from overseas is extremely been, hut increased demand and output are enabling the company to reduce costs of production. The cattle-cake, and linseed oil industry was sorely taxed in the early p of the year by overseas competition, especially in linseed oils. The outlook is now more promising, and business is iitcreastig. The company anticipates that within the next two years sufficient linseed will he grown in the Dominion to keep the mill fully supplied and independent of imported raw material. . The margarine industry is finding it necessary to make large extensions to its buildings and plant, and has .pent considerable sums in erect i; up-to-date buildings and installing new machinery and purifying plant. The glass-bottle industry, established in Auckland a few years ago. is progressing fairly satisfactorily. It is proposed to establish another glass-making works in the South Island, near Mount Somers, where there are excellent deposits of the necessary raw materials A company has already been formed for tliis object. Referring to prospective industries, the report mentions plans for the treatment of whales for by-products as well as for oil; the manufacture ot nonpoisouous white lead ; and the plants for the canning of benzine and other oils fiy a large plant at Wellington, which is expected to give constant emplovment to hundreds of people. Preltminarv negotiations have been opened with prospective migrants who propose establishing a section of the cutlery industry in the Dominion.