THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1455, 16 May 1905, Page 3

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

VISIT TO THE TAPUIHIKITEA MILL.

Few of our readers, excepting those whose business takes them in the country, are aware of the rapid strides that the timber industry has already made in this district, and it is safe to predict that in a very short time the export of timber will be a great factor in swelling the shipping returns credited to the port of Gisborne. In the vicinity of Te Karaka there are already several mills carrying on active operations, and the extension of the railway should within a short space of time add considerably to the number. , Yesterday a number of Gisborne gentlemen paid a visit to the Tapuihikitea mill, on the : Whatatutu road, and were all greatly impressed with what they saw there. The party, which was organised by Mr W. L, Rees, included Captain Tucker (County Chairman), DeG. Fraser (County Engineer), G. Eliott, G. Darton, W. Good, G. Kronfeld, and others, and the chief object of the visit was to oollectinformation in*regard to the laying of a tramway line from Te Karaka to the mill. The weather was beautifully fine, and a better day in every respect could not have been obtained for the outing. The party went out by the early train, and were driven to the mill, a distance of about five miles, in a four-horse brake. The Tapuihikitea mill is situated about twelve chains off the Whatatutu road, and since taken over by Messrs Drummond Bros, some twelve months ago has been turning out timber at the rate of about 200,000 feet per month. The plant is one at the best in tho colony, there being every facility for milling at the minimum cost. At the presont time seventeen hands are engaged in the industry. The timber is principally matai and white pine, of which there is at present in stook over half a million feet ready for delivery. There is a large extent of bush in the vicinity to keep the mill going for a couple of years,'and by carrying a tramline aoroe.s the river for a distance of two miles some excellent forests will be tapped, which will allow native operations to be carried on for. many years to f?pme. The quality of the; timber is of' the very pe?t, being much superior to the importod article, whilst the price at which it can be delivered-in Gisborne should cause a keen demand for po much.ns oan be supplied. We trust that -the difficulties in regard to the construction of the tramway will be speedily : gofe! oyer by Jibs owners of the mill. The County Council will, we are Bare, do what they can in the matter, whilst the public will show "their interest in the industry by buying their supplies locally. We heartily recommend those or our readers who have not visited the mills in the Te Karaka district to take tho first opportunity of doing so.