H.—29

38

Development of Limestone Resources. Advice on the subject of grinding limestone and " burning " lime has been given in response to inquiries from time; to time. In order to place this work on a more satisfactory footing it was decided to form a committee of Government experts to assist and advise those interesteti in working limestone deposits. The committee consists of Mr. F. W. Furkert, Assistant Chief Engineer, Public Works Department; Mr. P. G. Morgan, Director of the Geological Survey ; and the Chemist to the Department of Agriculture. The utilization of sea-shells is receiving attention in North Auckland, particularly in the Kataia district, where there is a proposal to form a co-operative company in this connection. Some field experiments designed to test the calcareous mudstone termed " papa " have been published (sec Journal, April, 191.6, p. 303). It is difficult to see how it could prove remunerative to apply a substance like papa, which contains only a very small percentage of carbonate of lime, as the material which is e;ffcctively useful. Some varieties of papa may be baked in a wood-fire kiln to a consistency and hardness of the best drainpipes and have the following composition after calcining, the sample being from Tokimira : Silica (Sio 2 ), 64-30 per cent.; alumina (A 1 2 0 3), 17-70 per cent.; iron oxide (Fe 2 o 3 ), 8 per cent.; calcium oxide (CaO), 2-70 per cent.; magnesium oxide (MgO), 2-28 per cent.; alkalis (soda and potash), 4-37 per cent.; loss on ignition, 0-65 per cent.: total, 100 per cent. Lime Legislation. Many farmers are under the impression that legislation regulating the exjniposition of lime supplied would be an admirable thing in New Zealand. It is extremely doubtful if such legislation would improve matters, but there is little doubt that it would increase the cost of the lime to the consumer. The Department has taken some steps to obtain information regarding the practice of other countries, and it is significant to note that the great English-speaking agricultural countries have no legislation limiting the sale of lime to that of any particular quality or specifying standards of purity. It is not thought advisable at present to put any restrictions on the output of lime by laying down the standards, as the quality of the lime sold is likely to vary so much in every district with the quality of the stone and the facilities for reducing or calcining it. The most that can be recommended is that it may be permissible for vendors to sell lime under a guarantee of purity. The purchaser would then have civil right of recovery for any breach of warranty.

Sample. Particulars ol Locality or Sender of Samples, Carbonate of Lime (GfijCbg). Remarks. L/302 L/303 L/367 L/381 L/382 L/399 L/401 l,/402 L/403 L/404 L/482 L/522 L/523 L/524 L/527 L/528 L/538 L/581 L/582 L/583 L/624 L/631 L/632 L/676 L/683 L/684 L/685 L/680 L/708 L/738 L/761 L/705 L/779 L/793 L/837 L/838 L/839 L/840 L/84I L'842 L/877 L/878 L/879 L/927 L/953 L/903 L/964 K. S. McKenzie, Te Kuiti K. S. McKenzie, Te Kuiti 3. W. Carter, Collingwood S. H. Green, Dairy Flat, Auckland H. Foary, Takaka, Nelson J. L. Shanks, Kaukapakapa Kaipara Farmers' Lime Company Kaipara Farmers' Lime Company Kaipara Farmers' Lime Company Kaipara Farmers' Lime Company Hokianga Chamber of Commerce W. .1. Newport, Takaka W. J. Newport, Takaka W. J. Newport, Takaka A. Thomson, Chancet, Ward A. Thomson, Chancet, Ward J. P. Turnbull, Napier J. T. Boyde, Paparoa, Kaipara J. T. Boyde, Paparoa, Kaipara J. T. Boyde, Paparoa, Kaipara C. S. Dalgliesh, Matari Valley, Murohison T. Anderson, Carrington D. J. Macauley, Carrington Hokianga Chamber of Commerce Instructor Patterson, Warkworth Instructor Patterson, Purewa Instructor Patterson, Purewa Instructor Patterson, Purewa Hawkes and Robertson, Kaukapakapa .. J. E. Simes, Matakanui D. McGregor, Gladstone Hokianga Dairy Company H. J. W T alton, Martin borough A. Hobbs, Balfour Sir W. Buchanan, Gladstone Sir W. Buchanan, Gladstone Sir W. Buchanan, Gladstone Sir W. Buchanan, Gladstone Sir W. Buchanan, Gladstone Sir W. Buchanan, Gladstone S. B. Newcombe, Tauhoa G. Thompson, Port Albort G. Thompson, Port Albert H. F. Stewart, Kaukapakapa I. Patterson, Beefton C. B. D. Kemp, Gladstone C. R. D. Kemp, Gladstone Per Cent. 8P0 95-0 72-0 51 '0 95-5 64-0 73-0 70'0 70-0 82.0 57'0 97-0 9P0 95 '0 73'0 85-0 92-0 92-5 86-5 87-5 93-0 86-5 91-0 66-0 72 -0 84-0 75'0 71-0 oo-o 93-0 90-0 62-0 65-0 83-0 87'5 84-0 81-0 90-0 92-5 87-5 91-0 80-5 72-0 80-0 80-0 91-5 93'5 * Soft stone. Soft stone. Soft stone. Soft stone.