TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1879. THE STAPLE OF MANAWATU.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 33, 16 December 1879, Page 2

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1879. THE STAPLE OF MANAWATU.

♦- For some time past, a great depression has been felt in l^anawatu, owing to the failing of the timber trade. In these columns it has been repeatedly pointed out, that whilst millowners regard Wanganui as thenonly outlet, apart from local consumption, our trade must decline. For some months past the quantity of timber exported has been very small, and the result is seen in the fact that several mills are at present in the market. This is to be regretted for many reasons. Manawatu is essentially a timber district, and the prosperity of the district is dependent upon the quantity produced. Not only so, but the removal of the forests is necessary to the development of the grazing and agricultural interests. The trade in timber affects not only those engaged , in its production, but also the townships, which thrive in direct proportion to the amount of money received in the districts of which they are the respective centres. Yet, notwithstanding this fact, the millowners have been relying almost exclusively on the Wanganui market, which is at best a limited one, but has been contracted greatly during the depression. The consequence is, that a serious decline has resulted, the supply being greater than the demand. Our object, however, is- to point out a means by which we believe this may be remedied, — we mean by the creation of an export trade with the South Island. That this is possible, we verily believe. Glancing over the imports at Lyttelton, we notice the arrival of timber there frequently reaches three and four hundred thousand feet per week. The question arises, why is so small a trade done with Manawatu ? We fear the only reply is, that ihe millowners in these districts have not "pushed" their wares into the market, whilst those from other places have energetically set to work and secured the trade. The following extract from a private letter received in Foxton shows how good an opening for an export trade" in timber exists in the Middle Island. The letter is dated from Waimate, , and the writer says : — Your district should be a good one. It seems to bare large resources, and should supply this Island with a large portion of its timber, bat no one in Canterbury seems

to know muoh of Foxton, except Jby name Have the sawmill owners endeavoured to push their timber into Christchuroh market P Nearly all the timber used north of Rantfttata is sea borne. The bush lien 1 (Waimate) supplies the markets south of Ashburton. The price in Waimate of 91 wn timber is— For Rnantling — Tofcara, black pine, or white pine, 12s ; weatherboard? , 14s ; flooring boards, T. and G , 20a. How do those prioes compare wi f h yours P reply we may quote the following prices, which, it will be seen, are enormously in favour of Foxton : — Scantling — White pine, 6s 6d; red pine, 8s ; totara, 10s 6d. Weatherboards — White pine, 7s ; red pine 8s 6d ; totara, lls. T. and G. flooring — Best nmtai, 14s. . The above prices are for ordinary local use, and doubtless for shipping purposes the cost would be less. We trust the millowners in the district will ponder over these things, and that they will endeavour to secure at least a portion of the large timber trade done by other parts of the Colony with Canterbury and Otago.