Syndicate’s Plan.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20614, 15 May 1935, Page 6

Syndicate’s Plan.

Harnessing Nature.

Utilising Heat of White Island Blow-holes. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, This Day. JJOFING that it will be possible to harness nature for man’s purposes, a Sydney syndicate has purchased White Island and plans to utilise the heat from the fumaroles for industrial purposes. This information was gathered from Mr P. A. jVlackay, who is well known in Australia, and who has built and operated several superphosphate plants there. The principal object was to use the very steady blow' of the fumaroles to evaporate sea water and make ordinary salt, but the presence of hvdrochloric acid and ferric chloride complicated matters.

Mr Mackay recalled the tragedy in 1914, when 12 men employed on White Island lost their lives. At that time, he said, there was a fresh water lake several acres in extent on the island. The men had constructed their sleeping quarters close to the sea, only a few feet above high tide level. One night a large piece of land, probably. 100,000 tons or more, slid into the sea, taking the men with it and all were lost. “ There have never been any accidents on tfye island from the fumaroles which blow steadily with no pulsation,” said Mr Mackay. ” The men w’ho lost their lives were engaged in mining the sulphur which occurs on the island in considerable quantity, and still exists.” The matter of refining this sulphur on a large scale had not been attempted.

The island was owned by White Island Products Ltd., which in September of last year went into liquidation. The syndicate’s purchase was made from the liquidator.