CHLORATE MANUFACTURE

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4747, 17 September 1935, Page 5

CHLORATE MANUFACTURE

ESTABLISHMENT IN TE KUITI? PRELIMINARY ENQUIRIES MADE. The possibility of a factory for the manufacture of sodium chlorate being established at Te Kuiti was discussed at the meeting of the Waitomo Power Board held yesterday. The matter was broached by Mr. V. W. Simms, who, after reporting on the Power Boards Conference, stated that he had been asked to secure the tentative cost of power to be used in the manufacture of sodium chlorate.

The plant that had been proposed, Mr. Simms continued, would manufacture 300 tons of sodium chlorate per annum, and the cost of its establishment would be about £9OOO. The reason why the Waitomo Board had been approached was that this district had lime deposits, would be a good centre for distribution, and, he added ruefully, would probably find a use for the chlorate.

According to the data that had been prepared, the cost of manufacture, allowing for depreciation and all other overhead charges, would be £25 per ton, 'whereas the speaker had paid £45 per ton in Otorohanga last year. The scheme was still tentative, for no company had yet been formed. A general discussion on the matter followed, it being held that if the expectations were fulfilled there should be no difficulty in the capital being raised for the company. It was stated that two alternative methods were under consideration, and if the other were adopted it was more probable that the industry would be established in the Waikato.

The engineer pointed out that a supply of 600 k.w. even for a night supply as was suggested, would have a considerable effect on the Waitomo Board's peak loads. Mr. Lee said that the matter should be gone into very fully, safeguarding the Board, but at the same time not throwing any cold water on bringing an industry of this nature into this district. The Board had to consider the position of its consumers who might be able to increase production should the chlorate be cheaper.

On Mr. Simms's motion it was decided that the secretary and engineer should submit estimated charges at which power might be supplied, to Dominion Laboratories..