STATE HARDWOOD BUSINESS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 558, 12 April 1913, Page 5

STATE HARDWOOD BUSINESS.

GOVERNMENT SCHEME. A very important step so far as local bodies are concerned is contemplated by the Government, namely, the opening of a State hardwood business. It appears that recently the Public Works Department has been urged to consider the question of purchasing for supply to local governing bodies Australian hardwood piles and timber suitable for use in the construction of bridges, wharves, and othei structures.

According to a memorandum received by the Rangitikei County Council on Saturday the Minister for Public Works is willing to assist in the direction suggested, provided he is satisfied that there is a general feelinfg on the part of local bodies in favour of the srevice being undertaken by the G jvemment. Inquiries are therefore being made as to whether councils Would purchase hardwood timbers from time to time from stocks held by the Government at prices that would represent only a small margin m the actual cost to the department. The advantages to be reaped would be prompt delivery and assurance that the timber has been inspected and passed by Government inspectors in Australia. Purchasers would be expected to take delivery of timber at the Government depots, which would be established at Auckland. Wellington Christchurch, and Dunedin, and all charges for handling and frejghfc between depot and point of final delivery would be borne by the local authority purchasing the timber. Councils are asked to supply briefly a schedule of lengths and sizes most likely to be required, as a guide in compiling the order for Btock, in the efent of the department receiving sufficient encouragement to warrant it embarking in bsuiness on the lines indicated. It is hardly likely that the larger councils will commit themselves to such a scheme, inasmuch as nowadays they tend to erect structures in reinforced concrete. There ara many councils, however, that will rceeive the information with considreable pleasure.