1.—12.

250

[L. A. WALSH.

future requirements in aircraft for military, naval, and postal purposes. Government support in the direction indicated is essential not only to preserve the present nucleus of an important industry, but also to foster the construction of aircraft within the Dominion, in which industry an additional avenue may be found for the employment of considerable capital and labour. This industry is capable of considerable expansion, and will find remunerative employment for carpenters, cabinetmakers, boatbuilders, upholsterers, engineers, and sheet-metal workers. There are many branches in aircraft-manufacturing in which employment for returned soldiers could also be found. To the Chairman: If the Government imported their own machines they would probably come in duty-free. We have proved that flying-machines can be built here. All we ask is that a recommendation should be given effect to that wherever possible a certain number should be built within the country, because the industry is capable of big expansion. We do not ask for a monopoly of the whole of the building, but only a portion. The industry" is of growing importance, and it is essential that support should be given to it for some time at all events.! To Mr. Sidey: As to the Government taking over the industry, that is a matter that is probably being dealt with at present. We hope that we will always be connected with the building of aircraft. To Mr. Hudson: Our materials are imported, including the timber. It is difficult to obtain sufficiently seasoned timber. Our fittings come in free. J. Majoribanks Steele, representing New Zealand Peat-oils (Limited), examined. I think the Committee has already had a certain amount of evidence given to it with reference to the extraction of oil from peat. I should like to say, first, that any statement made to the effect that the Government has not been interested in this matter is quite untrue, or that it has been made simply owing to want of knowledge. I can point to the report on the kauri-gum industry presented to Parliament. The report is that of Mr. R. P. Greville, Kauri-gum Superintendent. That report shows that the Government has come forward very substantially by granting 3,000 acres of specially selected land at Kaimaumau, north of Mangonui. This land was selected on account of- its depth, the great amount of peat, its easiness of access for loading vessels, (fee. Unfortunately there has been a great deal of delay. The land was first granted three years ago, but owing to a lot of fantastic statements that were made the Government thought that there was probably nothing in it—it was too highly coloured; and that lease was vetoed by Mr. Massey. When it was proved that the investigations were being conducted on scientific lines the lease was reinstated, and they gave us 3,000 acres, as they were empowered to do, instead of the 2,000 acres originally granted. The investigations have been carried out on scientific lines. Dr. Maclaurin has had samples of peat which were taken out by men in the presence of Professor Worley, Mr. Greville, and myself. We got samples of peat from the surface and down to about 12 ft., because this soil, .as you may easily understand, alters its character. Mr. Greville states in his report— " Samples of the Kaimaumau peat taken out in the presence of Professor Worley, of Auckland University College, and of myself, in November last, were sent to Dr. Maclaurin for analysis. The samples were carefully taken from a hole 12 ft. deep sunk through the peat. After being roughly dried the samples were divided by Mr. F. J. Hagger, of Kaimaumau, into two similar lots, one lot being sent to Professor Worley in Auckland and the other to the Dominion Laboratory, Wellington. The following results were obtained by Dr. Maclaurin : — Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. No. 4. No. 6. Total crude oil, in gallons per ton .. .. 29 8 17-3 20-2 40-9 29-0 Gas (cubic feet per ton) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,300 Ammonia sulphate, in pounds per ton. . .. 11-9 13-2 H-2 10-5 14-P Charcoal (hundredweight per ton) .. .. .. .. .. .. 7-2 Acetic acid (pounds per ton) .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 8-0 " In the course of his report Dr. Maclaurin says, ' In the present investigation it has not been found possible to make an exhaustive examination of the oils, but further work on them will be carried out as opportunities arise. Owing to the very high prices of sulphuric acid and caustic soda in New Zealand the manufacture of refined burning and lubricating oils is out of the question, but it would be quite feasible to redistill the crude oil into fractions suitable for motor-spirit and fuel-oil. The results show that in the composite sample (No. 5) the fraction up to 200° C. is B'B per cent, of the crude oil. This fraction would no doubt prove suitable for use as motor-spirit without requiring much, if any, refining. It could be increased to 10 or 12 per cent, by raising the temperature of distillation a few degrees higher. With 11 per cent, of light oil and 9 per cent, of coke the loss would be 80 per cent, of fuel-oil.' " The actual results obtained were these: we got 29 gallons of oil from the soil nearest the surface; we went down to 17 ft. and 20 ft,, and when we got to the kauri strata—that is to say, where the kauri-trees had been covered by the other vegetation—we got up to 40 gallons ; and 4-0 gallons per ton may fairly be claimed to be an extremely good working basis. We only claim that 30 gallons would be obtained from the dry kauri peat, although it is not quite dry. This is what Dr. Maclaurin states :— " Paraffin-wax : The amounts of paraffin-wax from the fractions distilling above 350° C. are shown in the following table : — (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Pounds of paraffin-wax per ton of peat .. ..26 t4 8 F 8 r3 Melting-point of wax ~ ~ ~ ~ 56°0, 54° C. S4°C. 56' C, S4°C."