Expansion At Paper Mill

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30939, 21 December 1965, Page 22

Expansion At Paper Mill

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 20. Tenders would be called next year for a new £7 million kraft paper plant at the Kinleith pulp and paper mill, the managing director of New Zealand Forest Products, Ltd. (Mr R. ‘,H. Smythe) said today.

Mr Smythe said the new machine would be bigger and faster than any of the four present machines and would make 65,000 tons of paper a year. The No. 4 machine, which began running thia year, makes 25,000 to 30,000 tons a year. The new machine was expected to be in use within three or four years. “We have got to make provision for the increased demand in New Zealand and we can expect to find additional export markets as well.” Mr Smythe said.

The £7 million expenditure would cover machinery, increased pulp production, logging equipment, houses for extra workers and water supP The No. 2 machine will be expanded by 50 per cent in the Christmas recess at a cost of £250,000. The pulp mill is also being expanded and will be in-

creased to 150,000 tons a year by March. At Penrose 33,000 square feet is being added to the wallboard mill and the warehouse is being extended at a cost of £lOO,OOO. About £185,000 is being spent on a new machine to produce high quality painted and printed wood grain finished on hardboard. Plans are completed and equipment has been ordered for the production of high quality plastic-coated papers. A further £75,000 will be spent on a pulp-moulding machine which will increase manufacture of apple trays for export from seven million to 14 million a year. A £17,000 plant now provides a continuous production line for making tiles, planks and panels with tongue-and-groove finishes.

Menzies Is 71.—The Australian Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, to 71 today. Sir Robert Menzies spent the week-end relaxing at the lodge in Canberra, where six of his grandchildren were staying.—Canberra, December 20.