STATION FURNISHINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1066, 2 September 1930, Page 7

STATION FURNISHINGS

SHOULD CHAIRS BE OF NEW ZEALAND TIMBERS? MANUFACTURERS’ VIEWS Having been assured by the Railway Department that the use of imported oak for certain chairs and tables for the new Auckland, railway station was not through New Zealand timbers being inferior in quality but merely to help the decorative scheme, the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association will make no further protest. Imported oak is to he used in making 230 chairs and 50 tables in the new station’s- refreshment rooms, according to a communication received at a meeting yesterday from the Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. A. Veitch. A protest by the association had resulted in a special investigation being made, and brought a reply from the architects to the effect that the furnishings of this department relied greatly on the matching of various features. It was also desirable that fumed oak should be used as rimu would not stand up to the wear. “We appreciate the desirability of using New Zealand timbers as much as possible and, in this connection, wish to say these timbers have been used almost exclusively throughout the building,” continued the letter. “This relatively unimportant question raises some very important issues,” commented Mr. J. A. G. Allum. It would not be fair to expect New Zealand manufactures or products to be used if they were unsuitable or more costly, but he considered that those who would use the railway refreshment rooms would not care greatly if the decorations were not as pretty as they might have been. He personally had every sympathy with the architects who wanted to match every item perfectly, but he had more sympathy with the man who needed the work of making the furnishings. The architects had done their best and should be given credit for that, but at the same time should be reminded that the question should be kept steadily in view on future occasions. No further action is to be taken.