WHITE ISLAND ENTERPRISE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 12963, 23 January 1913, Page 6

WHITE ISLAND ENTERPRISE.

Since last April a gang of men under the change of Mr J. G. McGee (engineer) has. been at work on White Island preparing the -way for. the utilisation for commercial purposes of tlie large deposits of sulphua' that have been known to exist there. As far back as 1886 a gentlemaii attempted to work the sulphur on v White Island, but his workers would not remain, there. The present company is confident that th\o deposits can- be profitably exploited/ and. that the manufactures can be put on the market at a price which will enable successful competition with the Japanese article. Apparently there is ample sulphur to be worked i in fact, enough to supply the demands of the whole Dominion. A party of Auckland gentlemen visited the island last week in the Ngapuhi. Ample time was allowed for the thorough inspection of the works. Operations have been directed towards draining the sulphur impregnated lake in the old crater of White Island. This has already been lowered 17ft, leaving tho level still sft above that of the sea. Men are now - engaged still further lowering the level of. the lake. The result of what has already been done has opened up new deposits of sulphur. Since operations started last April, new fumerholes and blowholes' have appeared, which are producing good supplies of sulphur, and this adds to reserves. Already about 4000 tons of high-grade sulphur 'have been obtuined. The constructing of a wharf and moorings will be undertaken shortly. Tlie retorts for refining the products have been landed in the Dominion, and the foundations and beddings are already in position. A fine supply of fresh water is being obtained from a spring on the cliffs. The company' is providing work for a number of men, and will shortly require more hands. The wages paid are higher than those usually ruling for mine lappr, . i .... i. ■ i