TIMBER IMPORTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1927, Page 2

TIMBER IMPORTS.

DECREASE IX HARDWOODS.

FIGURES FOR, PAST THREE

YEARS

WELLINGTON, Feb. 3

During 1926 the returns show that 66,651,000 feet b.m. of timber and 14,135,000 rails, laths and shingles, etc. of a total value of £858,000 were imported, compared with 81,924,000 feet of timber and 9,938,000 rails, laths and shingles imported in 1925, and 60,585,000 feet b.m. and 10.574,000 rails, laths and shingles etc. of a total value of £1044,000 imported in 1924. Thus, while the quantity of timber imported during 192 G was 15.273,000 feet or 18 per cent, below the 1925 figure, and was approximately equal to the 1924 liure, yet the value of the timber imported during 1928 was £337,000 or 28 per cent, .below the 1925 figure, and £IB6OOO or 18 per cent, below ‘that of 1924.

The decrease in tbe quantity and value of the timber imported is duo to the small trade in Australian hardwoods. These timbers normally form approximately 50 per cent, of our imports. and as they are amongst the most expensive woods imported, any decrease in quantity is accompanied by a much greater decrease in the value of the whole.

As was generally anticipated, softwords. comprising principally Douglas fir, western red cedar, western hemlock spruce and redwood increased during 192 G as compared with 1925. Ihe total for the 192 G period was approximately 40,500.000 feet b.m. as compared with 34.290,000 feet, imported during 1925. Douglas fir is still the most important softwood imported into Xew Zealand and during 192 G 10.800.090 foot b.m. valued at £120,000 were imported, as compared with 17,110,090 feet, valued at £120.000. imported during 1925. and 13,836,000 feet b.m.. valued at £122.000, during 1924. thus exhibiting a fairly stable trade. 1 vilar importations again increased, and 9.011.000 feet b.m.. valued at £107.000. were imported during 1926, compared with 6.520,000 feet, valued at £BI,OOO, during-1925. and approximately 1,333,009 feet b.m. in 1924. Prior to 1921 the trade in cedar was negligible.

•ie wood lias been uesd chiefly for wcatherboording, but its application inthis direction is likely to be considerably curtailed in future in favour of redwood. Hemlock, particularly in dressed lines. Inis gained steadily of late years, whereas only 1,610,000 feet b.m. were imported during 1924, 3,071.000 feet, valued at £34,000. were imported during 1925. and 4.410.000 feet valued at £42,000. during 1925. a 15 per cent increase in two years. .Containers for dairy produce manufactured from spruce and hemlock, although imported in less quantities than during 1925, still appear to find a ready market, and 048.000 boxes and crates, containing 2.505,000 feet b.m. of timber and valued at £33,000, were imported during 1920. These supplied approximately 20 per cent of the total quantity of dairy containers used during the year. Australian hardwoods comprising prinicaply irollback and jarrah. for use in general construction and as poles and sleepers showed a large decrease. During 1926 only 28.583.000 feet b.m. were imported, compared with 44.838.000 feet in 1925. and 44,978,000 feet in 1 4. compared wtili 1925. The figures for sleepers Fell 10.600,000 feet, and for poles 9.000.000 feet during 1926, an indication of the curtailed activities of Government Departments and of local bodies during the year. Furniture timbers, comprising mainly ash, oak and hickory, maintained a steady trade. During the past year 2.603.009 feet b.b. valued at £72.000 were imported as compared with 2.884.009 feet, valued at £BB,OOO in 1925. and 2.109.000 feet in 1924.

Taking the prices per ICO feet b.m. of timber at Customs values, that is, the domestic values of timbers in their country of origin plus 10 per cent, the average values during 1920 of all imported softwoods fell considerably below those of both 1924 and 1925. Thus, Douglas fir in 1920 realised an average of 14s 3d. compared with 14s 8d in 1925 and 17s 8d in 1924. Rough sawn timber alone averaged 12s 9d during 1926. with monthly variations from 15s Id to 10s 2d. Cedar maintained a very steady market throughout the twelve months, and averaged 23s 9d during 1926, compared with 25s during 1925. Dressed hemlock sold cheaper than ever and averaged only 19s 5d during 1926. -compared with. 2Q.s 7d during 1925. These prices are remarkably low for the class of timber imported and account for its demand liy buyers.