POWER BOARD POLES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4597, 13 August 1923, Page 4

POWER BOARD POLES.

• USE OF N.Z. TIMBERS. PRESERVATIVE MEASURES. At the meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board on Tuesday last the following letter was read by Mr Gauvain from Mr Gouldie, Conservator of State Forests, with regard to the use of New Zealand timbers for power board purposes:— “ In reply to your letter I have to state that if you will let me know the dimensions, of the poles you require, I will endeavour to get you. two species of each, of as many species as possible, frpm those growing in the plantation. I shall be glad to assist you in the identification of species in the event of you wishing to buy poles from a farmer’s wood lot. “With regard to the use of preservatives, I am of the opinion that the heart wood of most, of the eucalypts is quite durable, but the sap will decay in the period of from 12 months to two years. We have now some posts under a trial with creosote, which we find penetrate,s satisfactorily into the sap wood of eucalypts; in fact, the penetration was better than in the case of some of the coniferous timbers. I would suggest that the sap wood be cut. off the poles to, say, 2ft above the ground, and that the poles be treated with creosote 2ft above and below. I feel sure that occasional applications of creosote with a brush at and below the ground level will have a great effect upon the durability of the poles. Our experiment, of course, is in its initial stages, and nothing definite can yet be judged from it. The creosote we use is of New Zealand manufacture, obtained in Wanganui. “I shall be pleased to discuss this matter with you when next in Auckland.” Mr Gauvain said that probably a truckload of poles would be received very soon from the Forestry Department. On arrival index cards would be prepared showing where the poles were put in, the date, and full particulars, so. as observations could be accurately made as to the suitability of New Zealand timbers for power board purposes. The matter was held over until Mr Gauvain could arrange an interview with Mr Gouldie,