WOOD PULP INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1929, Page 2

WOOD PULP INDUSTRY

PROPOSAL FOR WESTLAND. The Westland Wood Pulp and Paper 'Syndicate Ltd. winch has been established fer some time, is now taking definite steps for a forward move'ment in regard to the establishment of the industry. The history of the. movement goes back some years, and that it has been sustained is a tribute to the enthusiasm and determination of those connected with the proposals.

The first step was made in 1906, when Messrs R. C. Webb and R. T. Webb approached the Government asking for a tim'bef concession and water power rights in Westland. In 1908 areas and water rights vOl e granted. In 1911 exhaustive laboratory tests were made in Berlin and London, consequent on which a bulk test of West Coast native timber was made in 1913; the results of these tests, viz., reels of paper made, are now with .the State Forest Service at

, Wellington. During and subsequent to the War little progress Was made, | and the then small company went into liquidation. Mr R. -C. Webb was associated with Messrs Roving and Company in London in investigations in 1.922. In 1927 the Westland Paper Pulp and Paper Co. Ltd., nominal capital £lo,€oo, was organised, taking | over the results of previous endeavours. Since then further data has been collected and the previous data brought up to date. A valuable and complete report, after an inspection | of the timber lauds of the West Coast. was obtained from Mr A. F. Richter, j President of The Stebbins EnginecrI ing Co., of Canada and America, who

■ had previously thirty-five years’ association with the paper pulp industry- . : '

In 1921 Mr Entrictin; Engineer in Forest products, State' Forest Service, tested timbers in conjunction with the Imperial Institute, London, with most satisfactory - results, impotant and successful .tests were, ma.de by Mr Entiican in 1927-1928 .in two of. the leading paper-making., plants of U.S.A. The whole of the results go, to prove that paper making from New; Zealand native, woods can be established as an industry. Mr Richter reported that in the vicinity of Hokitika the average cut of timber 'is reported as 30 million board feet annually, or 100,000 feetdaily, and that about 30 cords daily of slabwood and docking could be obtained in that locality. ! Al,r Richter, also reports that in Norway, Sweden, Gerpiany and . Austria, the use of several species of spruce, pine, larch and many semihardwoods has existed for fifty years, and they have been successfully used in paper-making. Air Richter proposed to establish on the West Coast a. plant capable of manufacturing twenty-five to thirty tons of newsprint per day of 24 hours, and 1 twelve to fifteen tons iff wrapping papers additional. The Customs Department submit evidence that for the year 1927 New Zealand imported over 109 tons of paper for each business day.

Recently the annual meeting of the promoting Company was held at Chitstchureh, . when in addition to those already connected with the Company, other shareholders were added. The directorate, in addition to Canterbury representatives., now includes the following West Coasters, namely, Alessrs H. R. Young, of Westport, and Alessrs D. P. Stuart, J. J. Mclntosh and D. J. Evans, of Hokitika. These gentlemen along with Air R. C. Webb proceeded to Wellington last week, and through the courtesy of ATr J. O’Brien, AI.P., an interview was arranged with the Hon. ,W' R. Taverner, Commissioner of State Forests, and his principal officers.

The interview was necessary to clear up some former misunderstanding as between the Department and the Company, and to obtain an outline of the Government policy in regard to the industry. The members of the deputation placed the whole position before the Hon. Minister, and the subject was exhaustively discussed from various points of view which cropped up. The Commissioner cleared the decks at the outset by explaining exac’ly where the Department stood, and referred to .various points which arose, and which were reviewed in detail. The general effect of the interview was to make plain the desire of itho Government

to help, the proposition as an industry on right lines, and various aspect's of '"the matter wore considered and discussed intimately both with the Minister and the officials. The deputation expressed'its thanks at the clpse of the interview for the attention and consideration given, and the patient and clear manneic in which all points liad been discussed. The deputation indicated to the Minister that on. receipt of the shorthand re- . port of tba interview a directorate meeting would be held, and the Hon. Minister would be advised further and consulted as to. the steps’to be taken to advance the) project 'considered of such importance to the country. ' Occasion was taken also to thank the Minister for the promises of help given by him. in different’ ways both on behalf of the Department and the Government, and also with regard to reference at any time to his officers for technical or other advice in regard to tba details of the undertaking.

It is~ understood that as soon as the ■offiloiirjl information is available in writing from the Hon. Minister, a meeting of the directors will be held at Hokitika to go further into the project, and decide as to the ini:portant lines of action to be followed, in further promoting this important venture for the benefit of the district.