Timber for Batter Boxes

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1922, Page 1

Timber for Batter Boxes

A light to reduce the price of timber or butter boxes is at present procecdng between certain dairy factory companies and the sawmillers, and is waxing pretty hot. The price for last -■ear’s supplies of butter-box timber •as fixed by the Board of Trade at 23s id per 100 ft. f.o.r. Ohakune. The mwinillers this year have reduced this mice by 2s, but some of tjie dairy actories are endeavouring to force the mice still lower by threatening to import hemlock from the Pacific Const of \merica, which for the moment is a fairly cheap timber. A prominent sawmiller informed a “Dominion” representative on Monday that if the threat was carried out, it nay mean a serious thing for the New Zealand blitter trade, as, according to the “Timbernian” of April last, Pacific hemlock is not recommended for use in the manufacture of containers for foodstuffs that are inclined to become tainted should the wood be subjected to dampness and resume its sour odour. It is nevrthelcss well suited,” continue stho “Timbernian,” “to the manufacture of Imxes and crates for dry foodstuffs, fruits, canned goods, and a large majority of other commodities shipped in wooden containers. Green hemlock has a. noticeable sourness which disappears when the wood is thoroughy dry. The odour i.s said, however to return to a certain extent when the wood reabsorbs moisture.” The Australian butter interests have tried out hemlock. hut the proof of their experiments appears to lie in the fact that they still persist upon having New Zealand white pine, which ultimately costs them almost treble what they could procure hemlock for at the present time..