A NEW INDUSTRY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 21 May 1923, Page 5

A NEW INDUSTRY.

MANUFACTURE OF POTTEKY

The possibilities of New Zealand clays frequently have formed the subject oi" academic discussions, but for the first time in the history of the Dpminion, two firms are about to begin manufacture of the clays into pottery. In one oi these, operating at Avondale, Auckland. Mr J. Fletcher, of Wellington, is interested. Mr Fletcher states that the firm's activity will be devoted to the..manufacture of sanitary ware, such as wash-bowls, sinks, etc. "The company, of which I am chairman or directors," • said Mr Fletcher, sent six tons of china clay to Fingland and six tons to America. During my stay in England and America 1 made arrangements with the manufacturers to make samples of all classes of sanitary ware. These having proved successful, while I was in England I appointed a manager, who ar- , rived here by the Tainui, A start will ibe made with the commercial manufac-

ture of sanitary ware within the next few weeks at Avoridale—an industry that, has never been undertaken serii ously in the Dominion before. These } samples (showing some beautifully- ' glazed vases and cv»> 5 in f.rbjvm, dead . white and green) were made from the clay, under my own supervision in England. These samples show that the Dominion clays are quite as good as, or even better than, the English pottery clays. The olay we use has the advantage that it can be treated iust as it comes from.the pit, but mostof the Englisß. clays reouire a troublesome lot of mixing. We "do not intend to go above the manufacture of sanitary ware at present, but the clay is eminently suited for the making of most delicate china."