Development Of Natural Resources Proposed

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29024, 13 October 1959, Page 27

Development Of Natural Resources Proposed

(From Our Own Reporter)

WESTPORT, October 12. The development of the ceramics industry, the utilisation of bauxite deposits, greater production of agricultural lime, more timber milling and land development, increased coal utilisation and higher revenue from air freight to and from Westport were proposed by the Westport Borough Council in submissions to the West Coast Committee of Inquiry today. In addition to these submissions the Mayor (Mr J. Watson) emphasised the need for consideration of a coal station, not only for generating power but in the production of fertilisers from sulphur. Mr Watson described a £46 million plant in the United Kingdom which would use 4000 tons of coal a day. When it was realised that 72.000 kilowatts could be generated daily from 400 tons of coal, the value of even a small station in the Buller district would not be hard to visualise, he said. Questioned on the production of ceramics. Mr Watson said that he visualised clay and labour from the Buller being utilised under expert guidance. Buller clay was admirably suited for the making of pottery, he said. Investigations The chairman (Mr R. O’Shea) said that the committee had already made wide investigations into the uses and extent of min-

erals said to exist in the district, including titanium. To Mr O’Shea, Mr Watson said that the Buller could provide concrete articles for a good part of New Zealand, but he agreed that freight charges would have to be fully investigated. To his knowledge, the only analysis of bauxite deposits on the southern and western side of Westport was made when the alluvial deposits were being worked, he said.

Questioned on the lime deposits. Mr Watson said that most of the limestone was of a high quality and there was enough in the Buller to serve the rest of New Zealand, if some encouragement could be given to produce it. Air Freight

Patronage of air freight services would increase sharply, and he felt that such a service could be extended on a large scale to Westport, where there was a good airport capable of taking large freighters. Mr O’Shea said the matter would be taken up with the Civil Aviation Administration.

Referring to coal utilisation proposals, especially those put forward by Professor I. Graham he said that they had taken up a lot of the committee’s time, and any new industries of a practical nature which depended on assistance would be closely investigated. Their minimum size, potential market and availability of overseas exchange were vital matters to consider.