NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 124, 28 May 1928, Page 15

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTS.

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRIES, FILLER'S -EARTH FKO.M WHANGAREI. (By Telegraph.—Own CorresiK.nUi.-nt.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. Reference to inquiries and investigations respecting New Zealand products, made by the Imperial Institute, is contained in its annual report. At the request of the High Commisdioner of New Zealand the institute as undertaken to analyse all shipments of basic slag made to the Dominion for ii.grumiltural purposes. The object o this work is to ensure that the quality of the basic slag distributed to New Zealand farmers corresponds with the guarnutees expressed on the labels. n A sample of Fuller's earth from the Wliangarei district, upon being submitted to technical trials at the institute, Win f.iiind to be equal to the best quality English Fuller's earth for the purpose of bleaching edible oils and fats. This opinion was confirmed by users to whom samples were submitted, and inquiries have since been received regarding the possibility of obtaining regular supplies of the deposit. ] An extensive investigation was made Tfgardinir the pos-ibility of extracting 71 ii(l marketing the wax found in & pent occurring in the Chatham Islands. The rrude peat, of which extensive deposits are said to be found in a very dry condition. was found to contain more than per cent, of a wax having many of the characteristics of the crude wax obtainable from lignite. Samoles were submitted tn expert brokers, who valued the peat wax at about £25 per ton fit'.. I'nited Kingdom, and who estimated that from to 2000 tons could be siild each year. The pent residue ■Would form a useful fuel. As a result oT the institute's action inanities were received respecting the possibility of obtaining supplies of the'wax.