CEMENT TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 139, 15 June 1938, Page 4

CEMENT TRADE.

AN EXPANDING INDUSTRY. WILSONS PORTLAND CEMENT. MORE SALES, LOWER PROFITS. Accounts of Wilsons (X.Z.) Portland Cement Company for the ye;ir ended March 31, as already published in the "Star," allowed net profits at £.»0,44'J. a decline of A' 4448 us compared with the previous year. The directors recommend a dividend at the unchanged rate of 7'a per cent per annum. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet at to-day's annual meeting of shareholders the chairman ol directors, Mr. Geo. Winwtone, stated that though the profit realised was less than last year, the directors considered that, under the circumstances pertaining, the result was very satisfactory. The company had carried the full amount of the increased cost of coal and other materials, higher wages and shorter hours, and sold its cement at a lower price. He believed that the cement indifstrv was the only industry manufacturing building material in Xew Zealand that had reduced its price and borne the increased cost of production.

Trading conditions had improved and sales had increased by 1'2.88 per cent over the previous year. Recently, after conferring with the Department of Industries and Commerce, the cement manufacturers had again agreed to reductions in tlie price of cement at certain points, as from April 4 last. The directors felt that the company had gone as far as it possibly could in this direction; indeed, with still rising costs of labour and materials, the position might later have to be reviewed, and an increase in price asked. Concrete Poles. Prospects for the current j ear appeared favourable, and it was hoped that, Inactivity in Government and local body works and private enterprise, together with the decrease in prices referred to, the sale and use of cement would be further extended. Concrete poles for power lint* were slowly opening up a new avenue for the sale of cement, and with wooden poles showing early signs of decay, the value of permanent concrete was being brought under the notice of Government Departments and Power Hoards. Concrete posts were also being manufactured in larger quantities. J'.adi year further uses for cement were introduced. At the present moment an Australian company was erecting in Auckland a large iactory to manufacture asbestos cement sheets and water pipes. Another factory was about to be erected in Wellington for the manufacture of precast stone. Cement-concrete looting tiles were also in demand anil were being extensively used on Government house*, as well as by private builders. I nder our arrangement with the Cement Marketing ( 0., Ijtd., London, the companv was now manufacturing a waterproofed I ortland cement, which was required i'o: works such as tanks, reservoirs, cellars, basements, roots, plaster renderings, and this had met with a steady demand. A machine for testing the resistance to water of this class of concrete had been imported liom Lngland, and would shortly be erected in the company's laboratory It was anticipated that tests made bv this machine would be of great value to architects, engineers and usns. and would ad\ ance the sale of waterproofed cement. New Plant Installed. 1 he works at Portland and the hvdroclect ric plant at Wairua Falls were in good condition, considerable lepairs having been carried out at both plants during the > car. .1 wo British Keina coal mills had been installed and were giving satisfaction. Also, an Oliver filter for reducing the water content in raw slurry was I just completed and had undergone successful trials. The operation oi these machines has proved so satisfactory that a third Rema mill has been installed, and a second Oliver filter had been ordered, delivery of which was expected about the end ot June. I he company s vessel was in good ordei I and condition, and rendered necessarv i service in the freighting of cement to our Auckland depot. The returns from the farm were satisfactory ami the policy of development and improvement of the property was steadily continued. I lie directors were considering planting m timber trees several area* 1 which were considered more suitable for this purpose than for pasturage.

Village of Portland. All mil! buildings, halls and houses at Portland weie piopeily looked alter and kept in a good state of repair. The comtort and welfare ot employees were attended to. and the men and their famines lived under good conditions. t (including, the chairman expressed the thanks ot the board n! directors and the shareholders to all employees i'or their continued loyalty and good service. The report ami balance-sheet having been adopted the refiling directors. Messrs. R. 1". Williams and Cieo. Winstone. were re-elected, and the auditors, Messrs. Mollis. Duncan and (Jyllies, were re-ap-pointed. The payment of the final dividend of 4M>d per share was authorised.

A vote of thanks to the directors and the staff was carried by acclamation.