Hopes Raised For Coast Timber And Mining

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 14

Hopes Raised For Coast Timber And Mining

(From Oar Own Reporter)

GREYMOUTH, May 1. The fact that two organisations are investigating the possibilities of establishing timber treatment plants on the West Coast has been gladdening news, generally, in Greymouth and other places. The organisations concerned are Fletcher Holdings, Ltd., with headquarters in Auckland, and a South Westland company formed by Mr J. Martini. Representatives of both organisations had discussions in Wellington last week with the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall), who is also DeputyPrime Minister. The results of the discussions have not been released, but it is known that both companies require some long-term guarantee of supplies of timber. Fletcher Holdings. Ltd., proposes to establish a timber utilisation plant at Ngahere, in which case coal from the

nearby Blackball State mine would be used. This would be welcome news to the residents of Blackball, who are at present rather perturbed about the future outlook. The South Westland company would have its headquarters at Hariharl. Here again, it would appear that coal would be used, as the Minister of Mines (Mr Shand) assured a recent deputation from the Greymouth area in Wellington that the Government would not sanction the use of oil for West Coast industries while coal could be obtained.

“Much Brighter Outlook’’ Mr P. Blanchfield. member of Parliament for Westland, who accompanied two deputations to Wellington regarding the proposed closing of the Blackball and Roa State mines, said in Greymouth today that the mov*s made by the two companies lent a much brighter outlook for Blackball and the West Coast generally. Mr Blanchfield said he had seen samples of plywood and other timber treated in Germany with machinery similar to that which the South Westland company intended to import, and he had been astounded at the high quality of the finished article. He added that this company was ready to issue a prospectus as soon as plans were approved. It also proposed to give preference to West Coast investors.