Page 6 Advertisements Column 1

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 November 1925, Page 6

ft '*■ ! * ■* ft. ’• if • •.; 1 <a mmimi iimimm mi i Tv»-m nin -« t n -V A A A A _ A , X : xfSffcTV^iJA A A ' ■* A A -N A A A A A 3LiZI/J*n UlUf rrr r r S«l ir!r«n? *«i—- * * v +W+ZT2 w ' ANOTHER STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEV/ ZEALAND-r—-THE WANGANUI FERTILISER WORKS Now being completed by Kempthorne, Prosser & Co’s New Zealand Drug Co. Ltd., The Pioneers of the Superphosphate Industry in New Zealand. ' ' '.. •n. Compared with others, this country is fortunate iu possessing much that contributes towards successfulagricultural and pastoral pursuits. Nevertheless, nature has left it poor in one thing necessary to complete success. The phosphate content of New Zealand soils is below that required to produce really satisfactory crops or to maintain pastures of sufficient nutritive value to secure maximum profits from grazing. Fortunately, this deficiency of phosphate can be easily and profitably rectified by the judicious use of “Westfield” Superphosphate. As the prime purpose of the above works is the manufacture of Superphosphate and kindred manures, it takes but little reflection to appreciate what an important step forward in national wealth these works represent, and their great economic value to every farmer in the community. MANUFACTURE ON A LARGE SCALE The Wanganui Fertiliser Works are being- built and equipped with that thoroughness which characterises all. undertakings of the enterprising company which is establishing this important new industry at Wanganui. The Wanganui Fertiliser Works will rank foremost, jn the Dominion, with similar works at Burnside, Dunedin, Hornby, Christchurch, and Westfield, Auckland. ' They will produce the same high grade Superphosphate for which the foregoing works are noted, and to that end they are being equipped with the most elaborate plant to handle every stage of the manufacture of high grade manures that may be depended on to give maximum results when ap- * plied to the land. A visit to the Wanganui Fertiliser Works will be a revelation of the large scale on which it is necessary to conduct the manufacture of Superphosphate in order that it may be supplied at the present moderate price which makes its use so- profitable -to farmers. Altogether some twelve acres are occupied by the works, which are designed to produce some *30,000 to 35,000 tons of “Westfield” Superphosphate and Basic Super annually. In addition, there will be a further 15,000 tons of Special mixed Manures, making the total annual output approximately 50,000 tons of highest grade fertiliser. IMPORTANT WORKS DESCRIBED In the manufacture of “Westfield” Superphosphate, large quantities of Sulphuric Acid are made and used to render the rock phosphate water soluble. To do this calls for a large Sulphur Store IGO feet long by 80 feet high to house the raw sulphur which is imported in cargo lots principally from Louisiana, U.S.A. Connected with the Sulphur Store is the “Burner House,” in which is conducted the first step in the manufacture. Next comes the “Sulphuric Acid Plant” requiring a building to itself, which measures 233 feet long, 80 feet wide, and 72 feet high. The raw rock phosphate, imported from Nauru and Ocean Islands in shipments averaging four to live thousand tons, is stored in the “Bock Phosphate Store and Grinding House,” a building measuring 205 feet by SO feet, constructed to hold 7000 to SOOO tons of the raw material. Of particular interest in this building are the crushing and pulverising mills. The first of these is known as a “jaw-crusher,” and is used to break up the lumps of rock-phosphate into pieces measuring -J- to 1 inch in diameter. When reduced to these dimensions it is ready for the massive grinding mills in which it is ground so finely that about 80 per cent, of it will pass through a sieve with 10,000 holes to the square inch. CONVERTING ROCK PHOSPHATE INTO SUPERPHOSPHATE The actual treatment of the finely ground rock phosphate is carried out in two huge “dens.” The ground phosphate and sulphuric acid meet together in what is called a mixer, and after a sufficient number of batches enter the den by gravitation from the mixer, a chemical action ensues which, when exhausted, solidifies the mixture. The doors are then opened and the mass brought into contact with heavy revolving cutters which tear it to fragments. After further treatment the rock-phosphate which has now been converted into water soluble superphosphate is reduced again to that fineness which makes ’’Westfield” Superphosphate so satisfactory to use with any drill. Another building 340 feet long by 112 feet wide constitutes the ‘ ‘ Mixer House and Superphosphate Store,” capable of accommodating some eight to ten thousand tons of fertiliser. Connected with the Superphosphate Store is the “bagging ’ ’ section of the works, where the fertilisers are “dressed” and bagged by automatic machinery chpable of handling 250 tons every eight hours. ADDITIONAL BUILDINGS. Additional buildings comprise offices, specially designed laboratory fitted with the necessary analytical and other scientific instruments to chemically check all incoming ingredients, as well as the outgoing fertilisers. Here also soils are analysed for farmers without charge so that expert advice can be given as to the best use to be made of fertilisers. Engineering workshops, together with blacksmiths’ shops, are quite an imposing and elaborate building, 1)5 feet long by 45 feet wide, fully equipped with all classes of machinery for the manufacture of plant and for repairs. Another block of buildings comprise carpenters’ shop, store house, and lead burners’ shops. A further building, specially isolated, is the “Nitrate of Soda Store. ’ ’ i BUILT FOR LONG SERVICE IN COUNTRY’S INTEREST The whole works are permanent structures of reinforced concrete with double brick panels, designed and built for long efficient service jn the manufacture of the one fertiliser that is practically ousting all others by reason of th 6 fact that it gives prompt and lasting results, keeps the land in good heart, and', by increasing returns, puts money in farmers’ pockets. PROVISION FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERIES It is anticipated that the Wanganui Fertiliser Works will be in full operation in duly or August. In the meantime all correspondence and. orders for “Westfield” Superphosphate and other Fertilisers should be addressed to Messrs. Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. ’s New Zealand Drug Co., Ltd., 14 Wicksteed Place, Wanganui. Ample stocks of well matured fertilisers are held in Wanganui, and immediate delivery of any quantity can be given.