The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 101, 28 September 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1878.

Therb can b.e no doubt that the present, dearth o.f timber— ror rather the supply from the mills — -is exercising a most detrimental influence upon the progress of Pu'merston. On every sid,e the complaint is the game, and if only a supply of timber for building purposca. were available, there would be a large addition to the residences m the town. One. gentleman lias informed, us that he contemplated the erection of four new houses upon his land, and although he has made every effort he has been unable to secuje the necessary material- The millowners have their hands full with orders outside the district, and although their saws are being kept going night and day, they are unable to overtake the work. To most people it would appear an anomaly that while Wanganui is daily receiving thousands of feet, notwithstanding it is fifty miles distant, customers on the spot are left out m cold. The reason, however, is not only simple, but valid. Tliq merchanta at Wanganui have given » carte blanche order, as it were, to the sawmillers to. supply them. The timber ia placed on trucks at the side of the main U" e » Rn d there the vendors' responsibility endß. The wagons are brought to their- destination at the risk ajwl expense of the- purchaser, and consequently, it is but reasonable to imagine that the fillers will sell to those who will pay the highest price, take an unlimited quantity, and give the least trouble.. In supplying local demand the orders are necessarily much smaller, and there is. consequently more trouble, and loss of tim.e ;n attending to them. The present state of the trade is, however, only temporary, and affaira will, no doubt, sooner or later find .their level, but m the meantime a grievous injury is being done tjxe district. A fresh impetus has-been given to the tawn, sections are eacli day changing hnnds at an advance upon the price of the previous day, and a number of persons are anxious to build. ' Perhaps as our worthy Mayor 8P ably managed the Borough loan difficulty^ lie would take the matter m hand. The starting of another new saw-mill; would prove a boon to the town, for-not onl.v would ifc find immediate employment a!t the mill itselF, but, ifc woujd be the means of providing labo,r for a number of carpenters and others, and, contribute, m a groat measure'to the advancement and prosperity of the town: and district. All it wants is for- some one to. move m the matter, .for we feel convinced sufljeient ahares wo.uld be taken up as would float a company without the slightest difficulty. The material is at hand, the demand is unlimited, and within a hundred chains of the town boundary there are from ten to twelve hundrcclacres; of ipleadid biißh. land into, which a shutifcinight be easily run."