LIME

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1929, Page 8

LIME

SUGGKSTFD SURSIDY OX TRANSPORT.

The following correspondence explains itself: — From R. AlcGillvray, Fields Superintendent, Department of Agriculture. ■ltli April, to the Aianager, Uimo Works, Ross: — Representations have been made to the Department of Agriculture hv those interested in Lime Works in connection with the carriage of lime by road or sea where it is impossible to take advantage of free railage. It fins also boon mentioned that in the case ol some works, part of the output goes away by rail, while the remainder is distributed by road or by water.

Some companies claim that they arcentitled to a bonus on all agricultural lime not delivered by rail, so as~To pu! them on an equality with those that ■en utilise the railway for their whole output. The Department ol Agriculture is anxious to encourage the use of lime, and for the purpose of arriving at the cost of a bonus on all agricultural lime delivered other than by rail. I would he pleased if you could let me have by return replies to the questions set •out.

From J. Murdoch, manager, Lime Works, Ross, in reply to above:— Yours of the fth inst. came to hand m Saturday arid 1 am very pleased to see that at last a move is being made to develop the hackblocks of West land. For years past i have visited and held meetings under the auspices ol the various branches of the I 1 aimeis Unions at AVataroa, Harihari. and AVaitaha, urging all farmers to lime their land so as to increase their production and swell their hank aecoum. Al.iiny of them did not see why r. farmer living alongside the railway should get liis lime carted to his door, and they should have to pay from Cl to C 3 per Km for all their goods. Cartage by lorry now is cheaper than it lias ever been owing to improvements in the road and it would he lose if back loading could be got when returning from, the south. When lorries are bringing up lambs the owners offer to cut the price, Ini' it is seldom availed of lor various reasons.

AVaitaha is 15 miles from the Dime Works, the present cartage is ‘2os pei toil. Harihari is 00 miles, cartage 30per ton, arid AVataroa is 47 miles, can age 3os a ton. You want to see these roads before you compare them with Canterbury. The output of these small works aio about 200 tons of carbonate and Sir tons of burnt lime per annum. Owin: to the cost of cartage to South West land we only send under 50 tons a vein. ]f a bonus of 10s per ton were allow ed it would enable these back-blocks men to buy their burnt lime at i.h works for 30s per ton.

Our price at the works is 10s fo burnt and 20s for carbonate.

At present we do not send any lime by water although we have made eu quiries to see if we- could compete in Taranaki.

|iy r.lie wav we have sent lime to Okuru by the s.s. Gael and this is :• part of the country that does want >: .„„e encouragement.

Jf you want any further informatio let me know.