SAWMILLING VENTURE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 35, 9 October 1946, Page 5

SAWMILLING VENTURE

NEW WHAKATANE PROJECT OPERATIONS TO COMMENCE SHORTLY Expected, when in full operation, to turn out almost 10,000 superficial feet of timber per day, the new sawmill at present being erected in Commerce Street, promises to be a distinct asset to town and district. Owned by the newly formed Whakatane Sawmilling Company Ltd., it 4s scheduled to start work shortly after Christmas.

The structure itself, which is 100 ft. long, by 40ft. wide, was bought and removed from a site sixteen miles the other side of Tauranga. With the exception of the forty foot principles supporting the roof, which were transported intact, the whole thing was dismantled and is now almost completely re-erected again. Mr L. Luke, who acted as our guide pointed out the skids almost ready to receive the first consignment of logs, and work them into position for the breaking-down saw. The mill, he explained, had been originally scheduled to commence operations next month, but the nonarrival of machinery had held things up to a certain extent. At the commencement, an output of 4 or 5 thousand feet per day would be the aim of the company, but this would be rapidly increased to 10,000 ft.

The whole of the mill is to be electrically operated, the two largest motors to be used being respectively 72 and 55 horse-power. All classes of native timber will be worked including pinus insignis, and the total output, it is expected, will be absorbed .by the firm of Messrs. Boon, Sullivan Luke Ltd. Logs will be cut and carted for a start from the Te Whaiti bush, and also from the region beyond Te Teko.

The accumulation of sawdust will be dealt with by an endless chain with raised links which will travel continuously under the saw benches, picking up the mixture of sawdust and water and depositing it in a raised box, from which trucks will be employed to cart it away. The apparent anomaly of placing a sawmill in the middle of a town and carting/ logs from a long distance, instead of placing the mill right on the spot where the trees are felled, is actually a sound idea. Particularly at the present time, the labour problem would be almost insurmountable if the mill were placed right out in the bush. Into the bargain, additional buildings such as a cookhouse, and perhaps even a small school would have to be erected. With the mill placed in thq town area, labour is not only more easily available, but living conditions are much more congenial for the ,men employed. Instead of cut timber being carted, logs are carted, and slabs should be available for firewood.

Altogether the venture gives every prospect of being sound. Not only should it relieve the timber position for building in the district, but it represents also, a definite step forward for local industry.