KAURI GUM.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 303, 20 December 1917, Page 4

KAURI GUM.

DOMINION ANALYST'S DISCOVERY. COMMERCIAL PLANT TO BE ERECTEIX (By Telegraph. -Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this daj. When the ; ,Hon. G- W. Rtiseell announced some time ago in the House of Representatives that the Dominion Analyst (Dr. McLaurin) had discovered a method of cleaning low-grade kauri gum, the system was criticised by gum merchants, who refused to accept it on the ground that it had been tried and discarded years ago. The new method certainly involves the use of salt, as was done with the discarded system, but ther? arc other .factors in Dr. Mcljaurin's invention which, I am informed, satisfy the Government that it will make a revolutionary improvement in the cleaning system, and be a great advantage to the North Auckland guni country. So satisfied, is the Government that it hat decided to at once proceed with the ore*, tion in Auckland of a cleaning plant on a commercial .scale. The Minister of Internal Affairs witr ncsßi'd an experiment with the new gyitern, when glim particles, practically waste, which could only Tie sold for about 16/ per hundredweight, were.cleaned-bo effectively that they were valued at 65/----por hundredweight. The pieces ranged in size'from a pen to something lift!* larger than a pin-head.. : All the dirt was removed, ami fell to the bottom of the receptacle, leaving clean gum float ing on water.. The use of this' system means- that old gum areas, thought' to be worked out, will still provide , a good return, whilp the working of new fields wiD become more productive.