TIMBER SHORTAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1920, Page 3

TIMBER SHORTAGE

SUPPLIES FOR CHRISTCHURCH. / Some Christchurch and V 7 eliington builders have waited upon tlie. Prime Minister with a view to getting the Government- to assist in procuring supplies of building timber. Mr Massey has promised them that lie will endeavour to secure a ship to take at least one cargo from the AVest Const to AVt-llington and Christchurch respectively. Some interesting information regarding tlie timber industry was given to the Stratford “Post” by Mr J. AA r . Boon. He had visited a large number of sawmills on the Main Trunk line, and found that orders are booked many months ahead. Some mills are asking 7s per 109 ft in advance of the March catalogue prices. There is very little dry timber at any of the mills, and what there is is drying to fill orders which have been waiting for long periods. AVellingtoiv yard prices are 4s per 100 ft. in advance of the Stratford yard prices, although the railage, cartage, and handling are approximately the same. There is a great demand for red pine and maitai, which, no, doubt Midi become more acute next year as the bush is felled and the land sown in grass. The millers say that if the export of white pine is stopped, most of , the timber now being cut for export would be left standing, and the rod pine and matai taken. Thus, it would be destroyed by fire and lost to tlie country.