SOUR SALT WORKS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17019, 16 December 1920, Page 8

SOUR SALT WORKS.

_« GOVERNMENT LOAN SOUGHT. A deputation waited on Mr W. 'G. MoDonald, chairman of the Board of Tr!rf!e, yesterday afternoon, to ask for a Government loan to assist the proposal to establish solar ealt works on tho Estuary, near New Brighton. Those forming the deputation were: Messrs I». MoArthur who was connected with the proposed company, T. D. Harman, representing Mr MoArthur, Goo. Humphreys, M. Arlow, D. G. Sullivan, M.P., and Cr. E. A. Leaver, of tho New Brighton Borough Council. : Mr Harman said it was thought that the production of salt from the ocean would assist the fishing industry, and would also provide light work for returned soldiers. The cost of establishing the industry at New Brighton was estimated at £30,000. The aver- i age prico of salt for the last six years was j £11 10s per ton. The quantity .imported last year was 42,000 tons, which, at the price of £11 10s, meant a cost of £464,000 to the community. j / Mr McDonald said the average quoted Included the peak year of 1918, when there was a big salt shortage and high prices. Sir Harman said that Mr McArthur had inspected many sites in New Zealand, but tho Estuary site was the best he had seen, and he had accordingly selected that site, The eite possessed many advantages apart from its value as a salt deposit area. It was proposed to acquire an area of 200 acres, which would provide 30,000 tons of water and 10,714 tons of salt at each harvest. It might be possible to secure two harvests during the year. Tho.New Brighton Borough Council were willing to grant a lease of the area, but tho Minister of Marine would not consent until the company was registered. .That condition made it difficult to form the company, for tho title to the area could not be 6ccured nntii tho company was actually formed. t ■ Mr Geo. Humphreys said there would be a good market in Now Zealand for the salt produced locally. The saving in packing, freight, and handling of imported rait wouid bo considerable. • Mr McDonald said the freight would be the chief saving, for the salt would etill have to be bagged and handled: Mr McArthur "asked that the Government fhould issuo a loan similar to the loans granted for the erection oi cool storra. The amount proposed was £2000, £300 Of which was wanted immediately to cover the expenses to date, which totalled £G65. The amount pf the loan would be a first charge on the enterprise. Personally, ho did not believe in the bonus jjrinciple, and was not making application ior a bonus. ' In reply to "Mr Sullivan, Mr McArthur said, that no application had so far been made to the Department for & loan. Beplying to Mr McDonald, he. said that epplicstion would also be made for a bonue on production on the lines of the bonus offered by tho late Mr Seddon, but increased from £500 to £2000. Cγ. lteaver said the New Brighton Borough Council were sympathetic to tho proposal, and were willing to grant a lease of the area lequired. iir Sullivan suggested that the should take into consideration also the fact tiiat tha proposal meant the creation of a. new industry. Mr McDonald said the Board would give tho matter careful consideration, and even if it were not possible to grant the full request made, ho hoped tho applicants would get some relief. A boon to public speakers, singers, and reciters is "NJGOL." Keeps the* throat clear as a bell. Can be taken anywhere. 1 Invaluable to followers of trotting— "Farm at 4 .Glance," is now published.

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