POTTERY MANUFACTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22005, 11 January 1935, Page 11

POTTERY MANUFACTURE

NEW INDUSTRY AT TIMARU CLAY FROM MOUNT SOMERS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent! TIMARU, Thursday Following the discovery of coal silica sands, white clay, fire clay, red clay and diatomite deposits in the Mount Somers district, Timaru is to have a new industry; arrangements )being in hand for the establishment of a pottery. Coal has been mined commercially at Mount Somers for many years and railed to Ashburton and Timaru, but it remained for the recent discovery of huge quantities of all the desirable clays and sands to make possible the establishment of a pottery. On visiting the area one cannot fail to \be impressed with the evidence provided by the exposed deposits, the quality and quantities of which had already been favourably reported upon by Professor Robert Speight, of Christchurch. Among the deposits are large quantities of red clay, which is used extensively in the manufacture of flower pots and earthenware of that nature, and silica sand, which is so valuable for glazing purposes, and which is sought after by the whole world. Conveniently placed are deposits of fire clay, which is indispensible where the manufacture of pottery is concerned, and an enormous deposit of diatomite, which is now used by Continental potters in place of the celebrated French flints. A staple ingredient in pottery near by is white fire clay, which is used in the manufacture of pure white tiles, jugs and basins. A factory is to be established in Timaru, and a mine manager has already been appointed.