FAVOURABLE FIELDS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21184, 6 August 1940, Page 8

FAVOURABLE FIELDS

SHALE AT WAIKAIA OPINION OF EXPERTS The extent and quality of shale deposits in the Fresh ford district were emphasised in a letter from the secretary of the Waikaia District Progressive and Welfare League (Mr R. Edwards), received by the executive of the Southland Progress League. The letter requested that the attention of Government experts should be drawn to the existence of the deposits. It was decided to refer the letter to the Hon. Adam Hamilton. “I understand experts are to visit Orepuki and report on shale deposits and possibilities of developing the industry,” stated the letter. “We would appreciate it very much if while the experts are in Southland your league would bring to their notice the fact that at Freshford we I have a very large area of shale which was bored some years ago by an expert. At that time a shipment ot 30 cwt of Freshford shale - was sent to England for analysis. The analysis was to the effect that the samples submitted were much superior to Orepuki shale. This expert also estimated that the area was sufficient to employ 300 men foi at least 35 years. The area was also inspected about two years ago by a representative of a chemical company who also reported very i favourably on the quality of shale i In this district.’*