A VALUABLE DISCOVERY IN THE NORTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11824, 29 November 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

A VALUABLE DISCOVERY IN THE NORTE.

LARGE KAURI OIL DEPOSITS.

There is being opened up and developed at Mangawhare, on th« Kaipara, what promises to be an important industry to the North Auckland district, where is lying in almost inexhaustible quantities, and easily procurable, a vegetable substance (evidently the product of the kauri tree, which has already been such a valuable asset to the. North), from which Mr. Trevors is manufacturing kauri oil. The oil is produced cheaply, and in the proportion of about 50 per cent, of the raw material. A professor of chemistry, to whom the, raw material was submitted, was unable to realise that the substance contained 50 per cent, of oil, as it is not plastic, but Mr. Trevors has proved that, though it does not contain that quantity of oil as oil, it has within it the elements which produce, when properly treated, full 50 per cent, of kauri oil. Mr. Trevors lias spent some years in his researches, and we believe his industry and perseverance must soon be rewarded, and that he will shortly prove to his friends and the world that he has got hold of a good thing. The oil has been used in place of linseed oil for painting, with varying success. On the s.s. Aotea the paint has stood well. Captain Ross states that no other paint has stood so well on the funnel, and that it has also been successful on other parts of the vessel. Experience is required for the testing of every new product, and the real value of the oil, as a commercial necessity, has yet to be demonstrated. Its usefulness in the manufacture of varnishes has been proved, and Mr. Trevors has many samples of varnish of different shades which will bear the closest investigation. He can produce his varnishes by a much simpler and more speedy process than that now employed in the varnish trade. With a little more experience, we shall not be surprised to find the new kauri oil varnish in extensive use.

During the course of the manufacture of the oil a strong smell was given out from the escape, or -waste, and Mr. Trevors, in endeavouring to overcome this objection, discovered that it was practically a highly inflammable gas that was passing out. He erected a gasometer, in which to store the gas, when purified, and test its illuminating power. The gas is simply a by-product in the manufacture of the oil, and its production in no way lessens the proportion of the oil hitherto produced, yet at the same time the accumulation of the gas, whilst the oil is being manufactured, is very rapid. The excellence of the gas as an itluminant was fully demonstrated in the recent test, already described by us. With the incandescent burners the gas burnt as clearly and steadily as any we have yet seen. As soon as a steady market for the oil lias been secured the manufacture will, no doubt, be carried on so that the gas can also bo utilised. Perhaps some means will be found of combining the gas and oil, and so producing a fine illuminating on for our lamps. A kauri oil company has been formed for the further development of the industry, and the good wishes of the whole community go put to it.—[Northern Wairoa Correspondent.]