C.—4

12

with the mill a fully equipped joinery factory is worked. The total output is absorbed locally, but the supply is unequal to the demand. Cutting-capacity, 2,000,000 superficial feet; output, 656,000 superficial feet; hands employed, 15. 42. Tamaki Sawmill, Waihi (B. L. Knight).— This is a small plant situated about five miles south of Waihi, and connected with that town by a light tram-line. The timber cut is principally rimu, which is purchased from the Crown. The timber-supply in the locality being nearly exhausted, the life of this mill is limited. The total output is disposed of in Waihi, and is used for building and mining purposes. Cutting-capacity, 750,000 superficial feet ; output, 230,000 superficial feet ; mill hands, 4. 43 Tamaki Sawmill, Katikati (B. L. Knight).— -This sawmill is situated on the banks of the Wai-te-Ngawe Stream, Katikati, County Tauranga. It depends for its supplies from timber purchased from the Crown, and the mill has been cutting for about five years. The plant is suitable for requirements. The timber cut is principally kauri and a little rimu, all of which is trammed to Waihi, a distance of about ten miles, where there is a ready and increasing demand for all classes of timber. Cuttingcapacity, 2,000,000 superficial feet ; output, 1,500,000 superficial feet ; mill hands, 10. 44. Cashmore Bros, and Judd, Wairakau Mill, Katikati.—This mill is erected some four miles southwest of Katikati Village, Tauranga County. Its supplies are drawn from Crown areas in the Wairakau watershed, in the near vicinity of the mill. . The quantity is limited, and there is no suitable kauri growing south of the mill under notice ; as a mattter of fact, kauri forest ends at Katikati. The sawn timber is trammed to a point on the Katikati Harbour, six miles distant, and is thence shipped in scow to Auckland. The only timber cut is kauri, the greater portion being sent to Auckland. The residue is disposed of in Waihi for mining purposes. Cutting-capacity, 3,000,000 superficial feet; output, 1,500,000 superficial feet; mill hands, 22. 45. Tawpiri Sawmill (Bollard and Bailey).—This mill is situated at Taupiri, on the Auckland-Wai-kato Railway, and is about sixty miles distant from Auckland. The mill has a medium-sized plant, well found, and equipped with modern sawmilling machinery, and has been in operation about seven years. The class of timber cut is kahikatea, the firm having acquired cutting-rights over a large area of freehold land in the vicinity. The sawn output is disposed of locally and in the Auckland market, Cutting-capacity, 1,500,000 superficial feet ; output, 1,000,000 superficial feet ; mill hands, 15. 46. Ngaruawahia Mill, Ngaruawahia.— This mill is erected on the southern bank of the Waipa River, at its junction with the Waikato. The cutting comprises mixed timber, chief of which is kahikatea, and the output is utilised for local requirements. Cutting-capacity, 1,200,000 superficial feet ; output, 750,000 superficial feet; hands employed, 12. 47. Steele Bros., Mamaku, Rotorua County.—This mill has been in operation for some time, and is connected by tramway with the Mamaku Railway-station. The cutting comprises rimu, totara, matai, &c, and the output is distributed by rail to adjacent townships and district. Cutting-capacity, 3,000,000 superficial feet ; output, 2,300,000 superficial feet; mill hands, 20. 48. Mountain Rimu Company, Mamaku, Rotorua.—The Mountain Rimu Company's mill is situated at Mamaku, a rising settlement on the Auckland-Rotorua Railway, about thirteen miles north of the latter town.' The bush is at the summit of the mountain-range, and the mill stands at an elevation of 1 884 ft. above sea-level. It has now been in active operation for over ten years, and the company possess over 4,000 acres of freehold, and in addition to that they purchase from settlers on the adjoining properties, this benefiting both parties. The mill cuts principally rimu, and stands within a mile of the railway-station. The timber is thus conveyed to the Thames, Paeroa, Waihi, Waikato, and Auckland markets. The total output is used provincially. Cutting-capacity, 4,000,000 superficial feet ; output, 4,000,000 superficial feet; hands employed, 65. 49. Mamaku Sawmilling Company, Mamaku, Rotorua County.—This mill is situated near Mamaku Railway-station, and is connected therewith by a horse-tram. The supplies are obtained mostly from Native leases, and the following varieties are milled : rimu, totara, matai, &c. The output is disposed of locally, in adjacent districts, and in Auckland. Cutting-capacity, 1,250,000 superficial feet ; output, 1,250,000 superficial feet ; mill hands, 20. 50. Rotorua Rimu Company, Mamaku, Rotorua County.—This mill is erected near Mamaku Township, and is connected therewith by tramway. The supplies are derived from Native and other lands. The output comprises rimu, totara, matai, &c, and is distributed by rail to various other railway-stations extending from Rotorua to Auckland. Cutting-capacity, 3,500,000 superficial feet; output, 3,500,000 superficial feet; hands employed, 36. 51. Arahiwi Timber Company, Piako County.—This mill is situated about a mile and a half east of Arahiwi Railway-station, and is connected with the Auckland-Rotorua Railway by tram-line. Supplies for the mill are derived from Crown and other lands, and comprise rimu, matai, totara, &c. The mill has been in operation about one year, and the product is conveyed by rail to Auckland, Waikato, Rotorua, and Thames, and other districts. Cutting-capacity, 1,500,000 superficial feet; output, 1,000,000 superficial feet ; mill hands, 16. 52. Bartholemew Timber Company, Piako County. —This mill is situated about eight miles southwest of the Ngatirau Railway-station, on the Auckland-Rotorua line. The company are having a tramline constructed, eight miles in length, and also a railway-siding, between the Ngatira and Putaruru railway-stations. The mill is in course of erection, and is expected to be running in full swing in June next. A service mill is at present engaged in cutting timber used in the construction of the permanent mill, &c. The milling timbers comprise totara, rimu, matai, rewarewa, &c, and supplies are taken at present from Native land. No timber has been exported to date. Cutting-capacity, 5,000,000 superficial feet ; anticipated output, t,000,000 superficial feet; 24 men at present employed.