MT. EGMONT METAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1921, Page 4

MT. EGMONT METAL.

RE-OPENING OF THE QUARRIES, PROBABLY NEXT SUMMER. It is understood there are good prospects of the Mt. Egxnont quarries being re-opened next summer and a statement concerrflng the Government’s intentions may be expected shortly. Before returning home this week after the session of Parliament, Messrs. 8. G. Smith, M.P., and R. Masters, M.P., interviewed the Prime Minister and the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. .L G. Coates) concerning the re-opening of the quarries and the attitude of each Minister was_ a hopeful one. The Premier said he could not understand why the re-opening of the quarries had not been gone on with, and he expressed surprise tiiat the supply of stone at this source had not been utilised. Mr. Coatee suggested that he would probably complete arrangements this coming winter to have the quarries in full swing by the beginning of next summer. It was pointed out that while the Government asked local bodies tof guarantee a demand for 60,000 cubic yards of stone the total.now guaranteed was 109,000 cubic yards. Mr. Coates, made it clear that he had not dealt finally with the matter. An officer of * the department was now in England and. if it was definitely decided to re-start operations a cable would be sent to thia officer instructing him to purchase certain machinery necessary, and everything would be got ready during ths winter so as to make a supply of stones available early in the summer.