Poverty Bay Lamp Black.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 954, 22 June 1881, Page 3

Poverty Bay Lamp Black.

We learn that Mr. Clarke has made a recommendation to the Southern Cross Petroleum Company, to utilise the gas that is at present escaping from the many jets on the ground. Whether the Directors have coincided with Mr. Clarke’s advanced views we are not at liberty to say, but it would be wise to do so. Mr. Clarke is not a man to remain idle. He acts on the wise axiom that to economise time is to save money, and to husband resources, and utilise material are but other forms conducing to prosperity. Therefore Mr. Clarke advises that the present waste of gas should be utilised in the production of lamp black—an article essential in many branches of trade, paint for instance, and for numerous domestic purposes. We are not in a position to state what amount of profit would accrue to the company through the production of such an article in our midst ; but it is evidently assertive that we are able to look after ourselves, and know what material we have, and what means we require to bring our possessions into prominent notice in other places on the earth. We believe the price of lampblack in the English market is about 4d per lb., while here it is retailed at nearly double that rate. None of it used in Gisborne passes through the Customs, it being duty free, therefore, we may suppose what is used comes coast, or in such a manner as affords us no opportunity of judging the amount of consumption. At any rate, should the Company decide on adding this new industry to their care, no great harm cau possibly come of it ; while it will be an example for the South Pacific Company to follow.