ONAKAKA PROSPECTS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1930, Page 7

ONAKAKA PROSPECTS

MINISTER OF MINES IMPRESSED. WELLINGTON, December 2. Greatly impressed by the, possibilities of the OnnkaLa iron and steel works and cement works at Tarakolie tlie Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. A. ,). .Murdoch, returned to Wellington from a visit to the Nelson and Motueka districts. The Minister took advantage of the opportunity of closely inspecting the iron and steel works, which are subsidised by the Government. He is satisfied that there is -a great future ahead of the industry. There is ample supply of iron ore in the district, and the works are operating nt good pressure. In addition to manufacturing pipes the company produces and sells pig inm. The company recently shipped GOD tons of iron Ore to Australia in the hope of finding a market to keep the the plant in operation. The quality of the iron was such that repeat orders were received in every instance.

Mr Murdoch stated .that people in the Nelson and Motueka districts did not appear to be feeling the effects of the depression to such an extent as was the case elsewhere. This, he thought, was due to the fact that there was such a number of small industries in operation to keep the people occupied. «

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS.

NELSON, De&mbor 2

During his visit to the Motueka-Ta-kaka district the Hop, A. Murdoch, .Minister of Mines conferred with Mr G, C. Black, M.P„ regarding the mineral potentialities of the Motueka electorate. The Minister also made a tour of the Tarakolie cement works and the Onakaka iron works.

Mr Murdoch was favourably impressed with Onakaka in which he sees great possibilities of future development. The Minister was also much interested generally in the mneral deposits in the north-west portion of the island and he made inquiries from local miners in that connection. He intends to take up immediately with the Unemployment Board, the matter of assistance to the mining industry by aid to prospecting and otherwise. Mr Black suggested that to acquire tho necessary local knowledge of the areas to which men should be sent out, a conference of all interested in mining in the Collingwood, Takaka, Motueka, Nelson, Murchison, Lyell, Karamea and Inangalnia districts should he held and that officers of the Mines Department and of the Geological haunch of the. Scientific and Industrial ’Research Department should attend. |fc is anticipated that such a conleience would he held in Reefton early in the New Year and that possibly the Minister of Mines will preside.