MAKING WOOD-WOOL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 677, 31 May 1929, Page 11

MAKING WOOD-WOOL

NEW INDUSTRY TO START IN WHANGAREI MODERN PLANT INSTALLED (From. Our Own Correspondent) WHANGAREI, Thursday. It is expected within a very short time Whangarei will become the chief centre of the Dominion for the manufacture of wood-wool, which is extensively used in packing. Last month Mr. C. R. Lovatt secured from an Auckland firm all its plant, comprising three most up-to-date English machines, which are being installed in a specially erected shed on the riverside, where it is possible to bring all raw material by barge A ship. The machines have a capacity for up to 2 50,000 feet of timber, manufacturing between 700 and 800 tons of woodwool a year. Although ends from a mill can be used to a certain extent, the machines will principally deal with soft woods, especially white pine, which is very suitable. Willow, hitherto useless, will also be used.

Vessels calling with timber will be able to load the wood-wool for the Sydney market, and shipments to all parts of the Dominion can easily be arranged by the boats loading cement at Portland. It is hoped to start the engines running this week. It is a coincidence that just as woodwool, which is now practically essential in preparing chocolates for market, has come to Whangarei, that the firm of Cadbury and Frys are looking for a site upon which to establish a chocolate manufacturing industry in New Zealand. Arrangements have been made by the chairman of the Whangarei Harbour Board to meet Mr. G. Sara, the New Zealand manager of the firm, in Auckland next month, when the suitability of a site at Kioreroa will be discussed.