1.-12.

220

[c. a. ADAMSON.

E. A. Adamson, representing Waitara Chamber of Commerce, examined. I submit to the Committee for examination a sample of seedy wool. That is no use to the majority of manufacturers at Home. Most of the manufacturers are in this position, that it would not pay them to put in. a plant to deal with this wool; consequently they demand clean wool. That means that some of the large manufacturers get all this wool into their hands, and they buy it at their own price, to the detriment of the small manufacturers. We have heard it said that this wool could not be treated to pay. Ido not know whether they argue that from the woolgrowers' point of view or from the point of view of the process. * If they argue it from the point of view of the process I do not see how they are in a position to judge, not possessing any technical or practical knowledge. From the wool-growers' point of view a,letter appeared in the Dominion some time ago—a letter written by a Bradford expert, under the heading " Our Bradford Wool Letter." He gave the following illustration: 1001b., Iod., £4 3s. 4d.; less freight, &c, £1 17s. 6d. =£2 ss. lOd. 65 Ib., Is. 6d., £4 17s. 6d.; less freight, £1 4s. 4J,d. =£3 13s. 2Ad.; less cleaning, 3d., 16s. 3d. Total, £2 16s. cleaned, £2 ss. lOd. greasy; difference, lis. lid.; I estimate that a plant that would turn out 4,000 lb. per week would cost about £5,000 or £6,000. I submit to the Committee particulars of a plant for carbonizing wool—6oo lb. per day. To Mr. Sidey: Most certainly I suggest that the Government should prohibit the export of wool in this condition. To Dr. A. K. Newman: It is proposed to take the seed out of the wool by a chemical process— ■ sulphuric-acid carbonization. To Mr. Sidey: The process is one which would accompany the scouring of wool. I would alsc like to suggest that something ought to be done in respect to the lower qualities of wool, such as slipes and pieces, which are exported. The following plant would be necessary for carbonizing wool, 6001b. per day: One steam boiler, say, 10 or 12 horse-power; one steam-engine, 6 horsepower; one hydro-extractor, 30 in. diameter; one wool-scouring machine; two wood cisterns, 5 ft. 6 in. square, lead-lined; two wooden cages for same; one small hand-winch; one carbonizingchamber, heated by steam pipes, with cast-iron perforated floor; one wool-drying machine; one pair heavy iron rollers; wool-press and small platform weighing-machine; also two or three wool-coaches. By adding one more lead-lined cistern for every 300 lb. wool per day the above plant is capable of doing up to I,ooolb. per day. If not sufficient carbonizing the plant may be used for wool-scouring in addition. Two unskilled men or youths along with manager would be ample if an engineer's ticket was not required. All plant, acid, &c, can be made or obtained in the Dominion. 1 estimate the cost of labour and chemicals required at 2d. per pound at the very outside, leaving Id. per pound on clean weight of wool for interest and profit, reckoning on 3d. per pound charged on clean weight. Of course, it is very evident that the greater the amount treated the less will be the cost of interest on plant, labour, &c. There is also a mechanical way of cleaning wool, but it is not suitable for combing, and in the fine-woollen trade is only used for low-grade cloth, as all shivos. thistle, and fine vegetable matter are not removed. With regard to these low-priced wools, I desire to point out that if London wool-sale price were paid to the grower here, cash, less 4|d. landing-costs, those costs would pay 5 per cent, interest on £58,000 capital for a small concern that only required 3,000 lb. of raw material per week. L. Oldham, representing the Waitara Chamber of Commerce, examined. I wish to refer to the possibility of securing hydro-electric power in the North Taranaki district. A few miles from Waitara the river is joined by another river, and a mile below the junction it would be possible to develop 2,000 horse-power by putting in a plant at about £40 per horse-power. This is the estimate formed by Mr. Parr}- on pre-war rates. The plant would supply power a,t a cheap rate to the Waitara Borough, to Borthwick's Freezing-works, and to the district extending from Lepperton to Uruti to meet the needs of the dairy factories and the farmers for their milking-machines. The Government might take over the scheme and work it as a substitute in connection with the larger scheme of the future. ' At any rate, it would be an alternative, scheme to serve the wants of the district. To the Chairman: It was mooted that the local bodies might form an electric-power district under the Act of last year, but what we really wanted was to see if the scheme recommended by Mr. Buchanan is a better one. The matter wants looking into by a Commission to see if the scheme is a possibility. To Dr. A. K. Newman: In the New Plymouth scheme there is enough power for the town and for Inglewood, but we are a good way off. We have power within three miles of our own door. Borthwick's would take 600 horse-power and the borough 700, which would leave 700 for the factories and the community, and it would be sufficient for their needs. R. 11. Pigott, Chairman of the Clifton County Council, examined. As an aid to the further development of the country it is necessary that we should have roads provided. The greater portion of the northern Taranaki has no railway facilities, and if it is within the jurisdiction of the Committee we wish you to bring the matter of railway and roading before the Government. It would tend to develop the whole of the back district, which at the present time is being neglected and thrown back. To the Chairman: The Mokau River wants developing again. At one time good coal and lime were produced there for the district, The river requires bridging. Through having bad roads wool-growers are handicapped to the extent of £2 or £3 per bale in getting their wool to the railway. We formed a league at one time to advocate light railways in order to take the traffic off the main roads, but it did not get much support. I am aware that the settlers are given facilities by the Government to build railways. It is an excellent provision, but the cost seems to be looked on as too high. It is too big a burden for the settlers. The Maoris do not pay rates, and there are 14,000 acres of Native land in the Clifton County. In some cases the