The Timber Industry.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 96, 20 October 1896, Page 2

The Timber Industry.

A deputation consisting of Messrs Hart, Udy, Godchalk and Weir, representing the sawmillers of Hukunui, on tbe Eketahuna • Woodyille Railway, waited recently on the Minister of Bailways. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., who introduced the deputation, stated that there were about 350,000 ft of sawn timber alongside of the railway awaiting despatch, and that this represented jE4SO freight. Unless trucks were provided and traffic allowed, the mills on which over 100 men were employed, representing about 500 souls, and distributing over £700 monthly in wages, would have to be temporary closed down. The line had been open for traffic as far as the Mangatainoka, river, but although it had been ballasted to Huknnui, which was a mile and a half further on, owing to some hitch, apparently between the Railway and Public Works Department, the millers wese unable to get their timber away. The general manager (Mr Ronayne), who was present at the interview, stated that any difficulty that existed had been arranged and he was in hopes that waggons would be provided at once, and the mills accommodated in the way desired. It was pointed ont that owing to the removal of the temporary siding at the Mangotainoka bridge goods consigned to Hukunui were detained at Eketahuna, and a promise was made that this would be rectified. The deputation before leaving expressed themselves highly satisfied with the result of their interview. — Times.