The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1929. UTILISING TIMBER PRODUCTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1929. UTILISING TIMBER PRODUCTS.

Tm: decision announced by the Hon W. B. Taverner, jointly Minister of Railways and Commissioner of State Forests, to establish kilns for the drying of timber in both Islands, presages an interestjing development in the utilisation of timber products As this districts contains the major store of the country’s timber resources, the proposal is naturally of special interest, and it is worth while for the authorities to look into the matter, and ascertain whether it would not tie more advantageous and economical for the Dominion to have a kiln established here in the heart of the commodity

supply. The product off the saw of

local timbers is naturally very vet, and it is considered that under a system of kiln drying the weight of the timber would ho reduced something like fifty per cent. 'This is a matter worth considering in regard to the haulage of tine, timber to the point of usage! The fact that only half the weight would require to be'transported, would be worth considering from an economy point of view, seeing that the timber has to .be carried over a very considerable mileage. A special matter for consideration is that here is tne source of supply for . all parts of the Island practically for a generation. The ample forests of Westland to be tapped as they will ultimately be by rail, will mean a constant source of supply of timber for treatment, and i„ would appear that it would be to the best advantage to treat the timber at die point where produced in a mass, rather than handle it in the wet condition three or four times for transport some hundred of miles to a remote location on the other side of the Island. Here, too, there is plenty of cheap land for kiln building purposes at the railside, with ample space for storage. The natural facilities for weather-driecl timber along the West Coast appear also to he a recommendation and consideration. Where timber is stacked for drying, the process goes on in a reasonable time very effectively. The weather conditions are suitable. The frequent rainfall appears to assist the discharge of the «ap flow, while the drying winds and bright sunshine experienced here, help very greatly also. The bright sunshine recorded here averages in the region of 2000 hours and over yearly, and nature’s way is worth taking into account in this seeing that the record of sunshine here is in advance of other centres mentioned as the probable locations for the kilns. j-G would be well, therefore, on all grounds to bring the claims of the district prominently before the Government before it is too late. Another factor worth considering, also, is that here the State Forest Service has its local headquarters, and the staff would he available to take charge of such a matter without creating additional staffs elsewhere, and so adding to the already high cost and number of the public service. The general idea of the scheme!' is most commendable to make more use of the local product.' A better use may be made of seasoned than unseasoned timber, and kiln dried it would he lighter to handle and builders appreciate it more. One of the attractions of some of the imported timbers. is its lightness of handling in working, and master builders give that a snoot a good deal of consideration. Kiln dried timber would ho also supplied cleaner and freer from dirt and other obstructions, so readily picked up by wet timber. The conditioning of the timber in the manner promised should add to its value, ns well as increasing its ■ use, and thereby displacing at least some of the imported article. As remarked at the outset, tlm decision of the Minister to establish kiln drying works appears most commendable, hut some reconsideration should l>o given to the location of Dm pi’oeo'-ed kilns with a view to having the works situated at the point of timber production for the reasons given above.