OLD KAURI TREE HEADS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 176, 18 August 1909, Page 4

OLD KAURI TREE HEADS.

IS THLRE MOXEY IX THEM? Auckland, August 12. Regarding the request o. cue Kainu brum.li of the Liberal an . ,-,ibour Federation that the Ministc, ior Railways accept railway sleepers made from the numerous immense kauri tree heads which are scattered over old bush work iugs, and from the working of which much employment and proht could be derived, no satisfactory reply has been received. Those responsible for the request, offer (says the Herald's Northern Waiioa correspondent) to provide 50,000 sleepers from the timber which is now lying valueless. Mr. Kavanagn, timber expert for the Auckland Land Department, has reported that even experienced bushmen would find considerable difficulty in obtaining sicepers from such a course, and that tree- heads are frequently applied for by persons working in their locality. This report is, of course, only applicable to Crown Lands, but, ou private territory, there are thousands o£ these heads which contain timber of the finest quality, and any scheme for their utilisation would command close attention. Sonus few years ago, a, Kopuru contractor devised a plant by which, he obtained from the massive limbs a valuable hy-produet. The product had a liberal trial from Wairoa builders, and proved a really good article, hut, as the demand was restricted, the enterprising inventor determined upon relinquishing operations. As it is, a wealth of timber (aggregating millions of feet) is mouldering away on workedout kauri areas.