Production Of New Briquette Advocated

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31662, 24 April 1968, Page 32

Production Of New Briquette Advocated

(From Our Own Reporter) WESTPORT, April 23. Buller interests have asked the Government to investigate the possibility of producing a new formula briquette after the announcement that the Ngakawau plant will be closed.

The Minister of Mines (Mr Shand) said on Monday that the plant would not produce this year and that there was a possibility it would close permanently. Although it is realised that the coal and pitch mixture is not acceptable to consumers, Buller interests say that a new fuel incorporating coal and sawdust, which has been produced by a retired Ngakawau engineer (Mr G. S. Edlin) should be tried. The convener of the industries and commerce section of the Buller Chamber of Commerce (Mr G. K. McKenzie) expressed concern at the suggestion that the works may close for good. His committee met Mr Edlin, suggested that the present plant be adapted, and learned that the Mines Department and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research were examining samples in Wellington. The vice-president of the chamber (Mr G. F. Soper) said that a case for use of Mr Edlin’s system had been made to the Minister but

nothing had been heard by the chamber.

The Mayor of Westport (Mr J. Watson) said the closing of the plant was inevitable. He advocated the setting up of a plant to extract coal byproducts.