GORGE LIME

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13268, 6 December 1915, Page 4

GORGE LIME

CAN IT BE UTILISED? GOVERNMENT ANALYST'S REPORT. The Palmerston Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union has for some considerable time had under consideration the possibility of untilising the lime deposits in the Manawatu Gorge, for agricultural purposes. At the meeting of the Branch on Saturday the matter again came up for discussion.

The Chairman stated that arrangements were being made fiet an expert from the South Island to give a report on the lime in the Gorge. He was of 'Opinion that the scheme would collapse. They had met with a great deal of opposition, and cold water was continually being thrown on their suggestions. It was'' decided that the matter be left in abeyance in the meantime.

In connection with the above an interesting article appears in the current issue of the Agricultural Journal, in which Mr B. C. Aston, F.1.C., Government Analyst, says:—"A demand for lime in the district served by the railway west of the Tararua and Ruahine ranges has lately focussed attention on the limestones which are nearest to this fertile dairying district — viz., those at the Manawatu Gorge. One of these deposits is exactly opposite the Gorge railway station, fourteen miles from Palmerston North. The hill upon which the limestone occurs rises from the siding at the station to a height of about 150 feet; on the top of which is the purest stone. Hence the accessibility of this deposit is good, and Dr. Henderson, Government Mining Geologist, who, by arrangement with the Director of Geological Survey (Mr Morgan) accompanied me on my tour of inspection, estimates it as being 40 feet in thiekness. The highest and purest stratum of stone on this hill contains 85 per eent. carbonate of lime. A sample taken in the stratum below this contained 74 per cent. This merges lower down into a calcareous sandstone containing numerous scattered siliceous stones. On the left, lower down still, is a hill of conglomerate composed of well-rounded silicieous cobbles cemented together with a,little carbonate of lime."