3. Nelson Iron Oxide Paint

In 1925 the Nelson Paint Company was established for the purpose of manufacturing paint from the raw iron oxide materials which were available at Parapara. The late F. G. Gibbs and others in Nelson City promoted the undertaking and took up shares in the enterprise. Harry and Arthur Washbourn were each allocated 125 pounds ($250) worth of shares, apparently in recognition of the exploratory and development work which they had carried out. The paint works was set up in an old brewery building in Bridge Street, Nelson. The manager was W. D. Penny who, with two page 9assistants, developed the factory. The raw material was dirty looking yellow oxide clay when it was brought in and further processing was necessary before it was usable. Motor lorries were in use by the time the works started and the raw material was transported to either Onekaka or Collingwood for shipment. Berdans were also shipped across for use in the factory but it was found that a gritty material was produced and so a hammer mill was also required. Different sites for procuring the raw material were tried and the company minute book records supplies coming from the "White cutting" or from the "Yellow cutting" or other places. (One can get some idea of these locations by looking at the road cuttings on the east side of the Parapara Inlet.)

The company perservered with the paint manufacture but in the course of time it was found that a much more satisfactory product could be obtained by using oxide imported from Great Britain, the first paint made from this being made experimentally in 1927. Some material from Parapapa was still being used and it was hoped that a better sample could be obtained from there. In February 1930 the company directors made a trip to Parapara and left instructions for the supply of another 100 tons with "further supply problematical." They also went to Pakawau to interview Mr Braddock who had a small experimental paint plant. "Nelson Oxide Paints" were soon being wholly made from imported materials.