LIME SUPPLIES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 228, 9 July 1941, Page 3

LIME SUPPLIES

DIFFICULTIES IN THE COUNTY.

LOCAL PRODUCTION URGED. The imperative need for 'something to be done about' taking supplies of lime from the unlimited resources of the Countv was placed before the Hon. H. T. A rmstrong (Minister of Public Works) and the Hon. R. Semple (Minister of National Service) by the Ashburton County Council yesterday afternoon.

The following statement was made, and the Ministers promised to place the representations before the Minister of Lands (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) and the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan): “We desire to bring under your notice the difficulties experienced by farmers of this County in the way of supplies of first quality agricultural lime.

“This County is blessed with almost unlimited deposits of limestone of the best quality, hut unfortunately only one lime-kiln is in operation, and only in a comparatively small way. It was hoped that the deposits on Crown land at Staveley would bo worked, and when, some months ago, a licence was granted to a Canterbury firm to work this deposit, farmers wore hopeful that adequate supplies would soon be available. For some unknown reason operations have not commenced. “We~would like to stress the necessity of increased quantities of lime, more particularly at the present time of shortage of superphosphate, and also the uneconomic waste in the transport of lime by rail for long distances to supply the needs of this district, while unlimited supplies of the raw material ard' here and available for crushing.

“Any assistance the Government can give in ■ encouraging the production of this material will be welcomed by the farming community.”