WHITE ISLAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20108, 15 May 1935, Page 8

WHITE ISLAND

SALE TO AUSTRALIAN SYNDICATE

NEW INDUSTRY PLANNED By TelegraDh—Press Association AUCKLAND, May 14. With the preliminary objective of using the fumeroles for the evaporation of sea water. White Island has been purchased by an Australian syndicate. The island was bought in 1926 by White Island Products Ltd., which established an extensive plant there for the working of the sulphur and the large deposit of low grade guano. In September last this company went into liquidation, and it was from the liquidators that the purchase has been made. A thorough investigation has recently been made on the spot by Mr P. A. Mackay, technical chemist to the company, who has had extensive experience of chemical manure and other factories in Australia, Spain and India. He has made tests to determine the available heat from the fumeroles and the possibility of utilising the superheated steam to produce salt from sea water. The problems of corrosion by hydrochloric acid and ferric chloride in the steam have also been studied. These, Mr Mackay states, are likely to be the greatest difficulties confronting the company. The use of fumeroles in Italy. Mr Mackay said, had resulted in a saving equal to 200,000 tons of coal annually, but in that country they had the advantage of distance from the sea which eliminated undesirable gases. However, he was confident that with the correct plant success was likely to be attained. He was not in a position to discuss the other objectives of his principals.