NEW INDUSTRY.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume I, Issue 22, 14 May 1892, Page 9

NEW INDUSTRY.

SALT REFINING WORK.

It is always gratifying to learn,-and especially in these times when 'trade' depression is so generally crippling many of oar local manufactures and causing suspension bf operations, that" there are still among us who have the pluck and energy to: launch a new industry. Such an enterprise is about to be commenced.on thafchitherto. unused island Rangitoto in'tbe shape of salt works. The site of the works is to be on the ;Eangitoto Channel near the beacon, and the object is the manufacture of salt by the process of evaporation from sea water. A 'Company'has L! been formed here, and several engineers have!laid out the full plan of operations. The machinery, pans, and all necessary, appliances are .now'being made in;one of the Auckland foundries, while the j contract for the erection of.all buildings j in connection with •the.works has; been/ sigued, and they ;will be proceeded with at once. The buildings .will include several workmen's cottages, and should; the venture prove 'successful, with its ultimate development, there is every! ■possibility of .the. once barreu island; •being tunaed into a source of-wealth, and employment, jit is expected that the establishment-wiil -be in working 1 orderj in the course of a month or two. The f process to bel Gsed»is to boil 1 the water in very large, shallow >,pans, and •strain; away the ■ accumulations of salt as'they^ eollecfc. These (accumulations, -with a!' mixture of rock-salt, go through another" process of refinement. 'For this-purpose a shipment •of rock-salt is now on'the way from a port near Adelaide. Some idea of the magnitude that the oatpufc is expected to reach may be gathered from the ifact that 5Q tons of rock-salt will.be monthly-cocsumed at the works.' The projectors of the scheme are very sanguine v of siicceßS, and we are sure that the venture will command the good wishes of everyone-who has the welfare; of - the colony, and especially of Auck-' land, at heart.—Auckland "Star."