CEMENT WORKS

Grey River Argus, 30 January 1946, Page 8

CEMENT WORKS

Company Being Promoted SITE AT CAPE FOULWIND Steps are being taken towards the formation of a company for me manufacture of cement at Cape Foulwind. Two Wellington ousiness men, who will be prominently associated with the promotion of the new company, which it is suggested will have a capital of £500,000, will attend a private meeting in Westport this evening of those interested from the point of view of share subscription. They are Mr. Andrew Morrison, land agent and financial broker and Mr. Albert Maude, A.M.1.M.E., of Lower Hutt. It has been represented to the Government by the promoters that there is a great need for the establishment of an additional cement works in New Zealand and that such new works should be conveniently situated near the geographical centre of the Dominion. Westport, it is contended, is supremely suited to oe the principal future, supply centre of cement for the whole of New Zealand, the raw materials being there in abundance. This,. it is emphasised, is amply borne out by geologists’ reports, both private and official, which have spoken not only of the quantity of such materials, sufficient for many decades of manufacture, but also of their exceptionally high quality. Transport by sea, road and rail is aleardy adequate and will enable distribution to any part of the country to be readily undertaken.

It is assumed by the promoters that distribution would, in the meantime, be in bulk rather than in bags, the proposal being to have silos at the principal shipping centres. The property sought by the promoters is that at Cape Foulwind belonging to Mr. J. E. Fox, covering an area of 143 acres and' described as having on it splendid deposits of marl clay and limestone with water and coal rapidly available.

It is understood that the Govern-, ferrt has taken )a veiy favourable view of the proposals submitted to it, and that licences to manufacture cement and to import the necessary plant will be forthcoming. The present plans if the promoters provide that a company on the basis of a share-holding of £500,000 shall bo re-gistered,-and that oportunity will be given to residents of this o'istriCi. to subscribe the first £20,000 of the share capital. Details of the possibilities of the proposed cement works wore given to a public meeting last evening by the promoters of the intended company. Mr Robertson presided. There were wonderful records of Cape Foulwind possibilities, said Mr Morrison. Geological surveys, as long ago as 1912. had praised the quality of limestone in the district. To-day the demand for cement was abnormal. Lack of coal and shipping prevented an adequate supply from existing works. New Zealand could do with twice as much cement as was now being marketed. There had beer an increase in demand in the last 12 years from 96,000 tons to 300.000 ton ' a year. A big supply of coal was essential for a cement works to be successful and there was plenty of suitable slack coal at hand in tbeWostport district. Transport also was available. Mr Morrison quoted various reports on the “unlimited quantities” of limestone available. Westport Cement, Ltd., as the company would be. known, intended to publish its prospectus through the stock exchange. Whether or not the works would he in Westport town had yet to be decided. Nowhere in New Zealand was there a cement works which was more successful than the proposed one would he. Necessary machinery was available, and a license to manufacture would be granted. Product ion costs would be the lowest in the country. The Government was taking a sympathetic attitude, but was not being asked for financial assistance. Details of the Westport capital required were given by Mi’ Morrison. The technical side of the proposed business was outlined by Mr Morton. MAIL NOTICES. Mails close at Westport an under:— Nelson daily, except Sunday. 8 a.m.; late fee 8.30 a.m. Wellington and North Island towns, Monday, Wednesday. Friday, 8 a.m.; late fee 8.30 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 6 a.m.; late fee 6.30 a.m. Greymouth, Christchurch and Dunedin districts, daily except Sunday, 6 а. late fee 6.30 a.m.; 1.30 p.m., late fee 1.45 p.m. Reefton, Monday to Friday, 6 a.m., late fee 6.30 a.m.; 1.30 p.m., late fee I. p.m. Saturday 6 a.m., late fee б. a.m. Air mails: IsTelson 10 a.m., North Island 10 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. daily, except Sunday. Registered mails close one hour before ordinary mails. Buller District Fairdown, Corbyvale, Arapito, Karamea, Kongahu, Market Cross, Miko, Oparara, Te iNamu. Monday 11. a.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday .1.30 p.m.; Friday 6 a.m. Berlins, Inangahua Camp, Inangahua Junction, Lyell, Three Channel Flat, Murchison, 8 a.m., late fee 8.30 a.m. I Birchfield, Burnett’s Face, Denniston, Granity, Millerton, Ngakawau, Papahaoa, St. Helens, Seddonville, Stockton Mine, Waimangaroa, 6 a.m. daily, except Sunday. Charleston and Tiromoana, Monday and Friday, 6 a.m. Cape Foulwind, Tuesday and Friday, 11.30 a.m.