Agricultural Lime.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7091, 27 August 1901, Page 4

Agricultural Lime.

; The following is an extract from -Hansard;— ..•;.'..•: ; ; •"."...■• ■ :.

Mr Lethbridge (Rangitikei) asked the Minister for Lands if he will take steps: to-acquire and work a lime kiln somewhere near .the Manawatu Gorge, so that-farmers^ on the \ West Coast may be placed in a like position to the. Otago farmers in obtaining agricultural lime at a reasonable, cost ? He understood that the Government had a .lime kiln -which they worked,, somewhere in the South Island, and that the settlers in Otago and Southland could obtain lime at something like 12s a ton. On the west coast of this Island they had to pay something like £IBs a ton; and anyone: who knew anything about the matter could understand how expensive this made it for farmers who wished to use lime when they had to pay that price for it. There was a limestone deposit somewhere near the Manawatu Gorge, and if the Minister could see his way to send some one to look for a good •liihe supply somewhere near the railway, he thought he would be able to : meet the requirements of the settlers. '~ Mr O'Meara.—Mangatainokor • .Mr Lethbridge said he-thought there was a lot of good limestone at Mangatainoka; and; he hoped that .something would. be done in the direction indicated. : ■ Mr Duncan (Minister for Lands) said the honourable member in ask- j ing this question referred to some lime kilns,; in the;. South. .Well, the working of these kilns was not far enough advanced yet for him to.be ■; able to say exactly the .price at which they would be able to deliver lime. ;They expected, to be able to deliver it for about 12s 6d. Mr Lethbridge. -They are getting it from private individuals for about that, down.South, I believe. Mr Duncan thought the cheapest was about 18s. '.'.' ■. "';•■ ' ...;. An Hon. Member.—lss to 16s. , ; Mr Duncan expected, when the scheme was complete, they would be-, able to. supply it at about 125.. 6d. But they had been trying improved kilns, and it was a very difficult thingto manage.: There had been rather an ..unsatisfactory commencement in the first instance, but he thought himself it was well worth while to make improvements, and put.it in working order. He thought it would be better to await the result of. the present operations before going in for .fresh works.; .He might say there was a reserve hear ..Wood ville containing ,78£ acres, situated near, the , GorgeIBridge. : It was offered for lease by auction in 1898, for working the limestone. ..Opiniondiffered as to the quality of the stone, and probably that accounted" for no one caring to undertake converting ib.y It -was; again offered in 1899 but i*till no iender was ( received for it. The department would be glad to receive any reasoriableoffer for working the stone, and making it available for farmers oh the: West Coast and-'elsewhere.: . , : ';•.' ■'•'.",-,'*. :\ ...'' ":