TUNG OIL INDUSTRY.
ESTABLISHMENT IN DOMINION. ADVISER A DUNEDIN MAN. AUCKLAND, October 6. Investigations into the possibilities of the tung oil industry in New Zealand have been carried out abroad by Mr W. S. Tannock, of Dunedin, who returned to Auckland by the Aorangi. Mr Tan nock has been studying in England for the past four years, and will now take up the position, of plant manager and scientific adviser of the New Zealand Tung Oil Corporation. Mr Tannock, who is a son of Mr D. Tannock, superintendent of reserves in Dunedin, received his early training at the School of Forestry, Canterbury College, and then went to England to study at Kejv Gardens. He remained there for a year and a-half, and then continued ‘his studies at Reading University.- He .was particularly interested in the study of economic plants, and carried Out research work into the history of the plant from which the tung oil is obtained. .
“Tung oil forms the basis of a number of large and important industries,” Mr Titnnoek said. “It is used largely in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, linoleums, and waterproof materials, and a new use has recently been found for »t in the manufacture of artificial silk. The plant from which the oil is obtained is a native of China. It has been cultivated there for years, and the production of tung oil is the third most important industry of the country. The Empire Marketing Board has become actively interested in schemes of obtain Supplies within the Empire.”
The tree could not be grown everywhere, Mr Tannock said, but the cond> lions in the waste lands in North Auckland seemed to be ideal for the proper development of the plant. An annual rainfall of at least 30in was required, and a well-marked difference between summer and winter, but an absence of severe frosts. The country had to be hilly. Granted suitable conditions, tue tree grew very rapidly, and commercial crops could be obtained from it aftei five years. The economic life of the tree was about 30 years. The oil was obtained from a nut about the size of a Brazil nut in the fruit of the tree. A new method. of crushing the gluts had recently been introduced, and now a machine, operated by three men, could extract as much oil in a day as 4000 Chinese coolies obtained under the cld method. Conditions suitable for the production of tung oil have been found in Florida, in the United States, but th? area available is comparatively small This district was visited by Mr Tannock on’ his way back to New Zealand, and he was astonished at the progress made.
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Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 34
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446TUNG OIL INDUSTRY. Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 34
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