INCREASED POSSIBILITIES FOR CONCRETE ROADS

Southland Times, Issue 20013, 29 October 1926, Page 2

INCREASED POSSIBILITIES FOR CONCRETE ROADS

According to a Daily Mail news item of August 14th, concrete roads in New Zealand will probably show a huge increase in mileage in the near future. Mr Furkert, Engineer-in-Chief and Under Secretary of the Public Works Department N.Z., is, says that paper in England “Studying the suitability of concrete roads. If his report is favourable hundreds of miles of main roads will be constructed in New Zealand.” As, at present, only about 60 miles of road in N.Z. out of 64,000 are of concrete, this important statement indicates that a wonderful market exists for N.Z. cement, if for this purpose alone. The prospects of the newly formed British Standard Portland Oement Lid. are bright in the extreme. This Company plans to manufacture at Whangarei 72,000 tons of the highest grade portland cement per annum, the whole of which amount is, it will be seen, ooesible of absorption for road purposes only. The position and prospects of cement on the New Zealand market are, indeed, very favourable, particularly in view of the hydro-electric schemes now in hand or .contemplated. Those include the power station at Lake Waikaremoana, to cost more than £2,000,000; the viaduct bridge over the Mohake Gorge; the Main Trunk Tunnel between Wellington and Tawa Flat; the Arapuni Dam, and many other great propositions, and it is certain there will be a steady demand for all the cement New Zealand can produce for a long time to come. The new Company will enjoy the great advantage of unlimited cheap fuel from its own coal mine for cement making purposes. At a conservative estimate, over 1,0)0,000 tons of °'ood quality coal exist, delherable at a maximum cost of 20/- per ton it the works site. Of the 213,000 £1 shares originally offered by the British Standard Portland Cement Ltd., the Promoters are taking 80,000 for cash, and interest is guaranteed on the remaining 133,000 shares. The Prospectus is well worth the close study of those desiring a safe and profitable investment in a concern organised and backed by some of the greatest cement experts and busings men in the country. It may be had from the local brokers W. A. Ott and Co., Ltd_ from any Member of the Stock Exchange, from The National Bank of New Zealand lid., or from the Interim Secretary, Box 542, Welling-ton.—-Advt.

from their head office, London, under date of the 27th instant: — At the tallow sales this week 1,135 casks were offered, of which 443 were sold. Any change in price is in favour of sellers. PRICE OF GOLD. London, October 27. Fine gold is quoted at £4 4/114 per oz. —A. & N.Z. CHICAGO WHEAT QUOTATIONS. (Rec. 8.40 p.m.) New York, October 27. Chicago Wheat: December 143; May 147 s cents per bushel.—A. & N.Z.