THE TIMBER TRADE OF THE THAMES.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 159, 8 December 1874, Page 4

THE TIMBER TRADE OF THE THAMES.

{From the Few Zealand Herald.') The timber trade of this district is assuming more extensive proportions year by year, and there is every probability that in the course of a few months our shipment of timber will be second to none in the province. The district, I believe, contains a greater variety of timber than is usually found in one locality, consisting of rimu, kahikatea, and kauri, the latter extending over the ranges to the East Coast, and the kahikatea, or white pine, extending over a vast area of level country on either bank of the river Thames. The principal supply of kauri comes down the Kauwaeranga Creek to the booms of the Shortland Saw-mill Company. From thence it is floated down with the ebb-tide into the company’s dam. This company’s supply is almost unlimited; but hitherto it has been somewhat precarious, In consequence of the unfortunate collapse of the booms at the first heavy drive, in November last, when nearly 1000 logs went out to sea. Since then, new booms of a massive nature have been constructed, and withstood one or two heavy drives of logs, which kept the mill at work over three-fourths of the year. The loss of logs in the first instance proved a serious inconvenience, and had it not been forth’s, with those they have since received, the supply would have been ample for constant employment up to the present, and for some time to come. No difficulty will be experienced in the future on the score of logs, as a number of dams have been erected at° the mouth of various tributaries, so that with very little rain they can be laid in the main creek. The main creek has also received attention, and by means of dams a drive can be made at half flood. When a drive does take place the rush of logs will be great, as there is upwards of five million feet now lying in the stream. Tenders are also called for the cutting of additional ten million feet, so there is every probability of the Thames timber trade during the next year exceeding considerably that of the present. The company’s mill'is capable of turning out 65,000 ft per week, but improvements are in hand which willjincrease their capabilities for cutting very considerably. The kahikatea trade (chiefly export) is in the hands of Messrs John Gibbons and Co, who have at present two fine mills in full swing on the banks of the Thames, one a little above Kopu, and the other a couple of miles higher up, or eight miles from Shortland. The mills are not dependent upon floods for their supply of timber, but it arrives by every tide, or when required. The forest is situated close to the river banks, and probably at the mouth of some creek or basin in the river can be seen the making of a raft whose ingredients are being shot off a tramway. From this it will be seen that the mode of getting the timber to the mills is very simple and inexpensive—nothing to do but make a tramway over a level country for a few hundred feet, and you reach the forest The timber felled is jacked on to the truck and shot into the creek or river, and lashed together, and floats down by the ebb tide to the mills, both of which are on the river’s brink. The two mills turn out 95,000 ft. per week, and the demand is greater than the supply. Three vessels await loading, one of which is the Endeavour, for Oamaru, which will take away 60,000 ft, while the Rio Loge took 180,000 ft last week. The company have purchased the steam-launch Fairy, which, after receiving some alterations, will be utilised in rafting, towing, and other purposes, such as conveyance of stores to the mills, or probably be engaged in the conveyance of passengers, should the Ohinemuri trade demand it,