TIMBER FOR SCHOOLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 719, 19 July 1929, Page 6

TIMBER FOR SCHOOLS

PREFERENCE FOR DOMINION GROWN EDUCATION BOARD DECISION While recognising the desirability of using as much New Zealand timber as possible in the erection of schools in [New Zealand, it is contended in some quarters that one difficulty was that of obtaining New Zealand timber of sufficient length for special purposes, says the “DominiDn.” The question came before the Wellington Education Board on Wednesday, when a letter from the Director of Education stated that a special committee comprising officers of Government departments and experts in the sawmilling industry had recently prepared standard grading and classification rules for New Zealand building timber, and sawmillers had undertaken to supply timber in accordance with those rules. It was the Government’s policy that wherever possible New Zealand timber be given preference in connection with the erection of buildings, the money for which was provided by the State. A copy of the rules was enclosed, the. department expressing the wish that the new classes and grades be used in all future orders for supplies. The board’s architect stated that on all occasions New Zealand timbers were used except where contractors had had difficulty in obtaining special lengths from local millers and had substituted imported timber at greater cost to themselves. It was stated that the unusual lengths of timber were not kept in stock. The letter was received.