TIMBER GRADING

Evening Star, Issue 19804, 1 March 1928, Page 13

TIMBER GRADING

t STANDARDISATION NEARLY COMPLETE [Special to tub * Stab. 1 ] ' WELLINGTON, February 2d. The proposals ior new standaid grades of timbers, which were launched by the dominion Government ten months ago, are nearing completion. This week a conference of architects, builders, saw-millers, and local body representatives is to make arrangements for the necessary big congress of the whole country to endorse the new proposals. , Finding difficulty in obtaining definite grades of New Zealand timbers for its constructional schemes, the Government culled a preliminary conference of departmental heads to investigate the question of preparation of standard grades. The New Zealand Saw-millers’ Federation was co-opted for the work, and the Government is to be recommended to allow the use ol 50 per cent, heart limber in positions where, at present, only heart timber may be used, provided that this 50 pe' cent, heart timber is thoroughly seasoned.

Under the new , specifications each grade is defined as to size and the number of defects occurring in each piece of timber, and is also graded according to the use’ to which it is intended to be put. It is anticipated that the new gradings will eliminate the disputes between miller and merchant ami between merchant and consumer. The consumer will bo able to order on a definite specification, and will know if he gets it. It is the intention to instal an inspectorial grading system throughout the country, operating from a central grading ■station as a guarantee that a uniform product is supplied. fn place of the present grades, which are very numerous, and which vary in every region of the dominion, it is proposed to create live standard grades: Select A, select 11, medium A, medium 15 and common. Select A ..will contain timber which is suitable ior a natural finish, select 13 which will take a paint finish, medium A will bo limber which is suitable in some instances for a paint finish, but which is generally very suitable for building timber, medium 13 will be timber which is suitable for general building purposes. Common grade will include lumber which lends itself to rough and temporary usage. , Each of these grades will be divided into three distinct classes according to the quantity of heart occurring in each piece. No. 1 class will be all heart, No. 2 at least 50 per cent, heart throughout the hoard (with the additional provision that any cross-section must show at least 25 per cent, heart), No, 3, will include all timber ol Ifss than 50 per cent, heart. This grade will also include boards having a large percentage of heart in tho aggregate which slioiv less than 25 per cent, heart in certain cross-sections. For example, select .A. No. 1 will consist of heart timber suitable for a high natural finish, whereas select A No. 3 will be timber suitable for finish purposes, but containing little nr no heart. At present certain specifications call for either American or heart Now Zealand timbers. Under the new grading, select A No. 2 class limbers will _be called for instead ol all heart. '.lbis is a matter of tho first importance, po tlw timber industry, and constitutes tlic granting of a plea which the millers have frequently made to the Government. It is expected, also, to put them in a bettor position against the imported lumber.