NITROGEN

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 15 February 1919, Page 3

NITROGEN

SCHEME FOR GETTING IT FROM THE AIR.

Mr J. Orchisto^i, electrical engineer, brought before the notiae of the Industries Committee in Wellington on Wednesday, a scheme for obtaining nitrogen from the air for the manufacture of nitrates. He sketched the development of the industry in other countries, and then spoke of steps which he had taken to introduce it into New Zealand. It was an industry that would not pay. unless the power was practically "dirt cheap"—iinder £2 per horse-power per annum, including all charges. Explorations at "Milford Sound showed that by far the best' power was available there. Chile was : the most redoubtable competitor in the j nitrate industry, as it possessed a very wide extent of nitric beds. But the labor troubles in Chile were becoming very serious, and though at one time the Chilians could land nitrate of soda c.i.f in New -Zealand for £11 10s to £12 a ton, there was very little prospect of them ©yer doing so again. The American demand had increased from 600,000 tons to 1.749,000 tons in four years, and {he Chilian fields were gradually being denuded. The"chairman: You have endeavoured to show iis that the 'industry is a prac^ tioal business proposition. Now, what is the special difficulty that prevents you from going straight ahead with it ?

The witness explained that the Government had declined to allow his company the use of the water required Jn reply to. Mr Sidey, witness said he certainly did not think that any buildHJge !it was; proposed to erect in the So™ would detract from the scenic value hi the place. The scheme* Mr'Orchiston stated, in reply to a question from another member, would require a capital o f £200,Mr Hornsby: Do you know that Mr Parry (Chief Electrical Engineer to the government) proposes to have works at Milford Sound for dealing with lowgrade ores from Australia?—" Well there are plenty of other powers a-vafll able tor that purpose." xi.You^ ollld not ask f°r a longer lease than 42 years ?-"That is the usual thing. We should anticipate something or the sort."