0.—4

28

Eastern and Southern Portion. I. The Akitio Totara Sawmilling Company's mill is situated on the Akitio Kiver bank close to its mouth, and at present is not working full time. The company have secured the cutting-rights of all milling-timber within the influence of the river, and have still a large portion untouched. Owing to the non-success of their boom on the river, also loss of oil-launch, the company have decided to suspend operations or reconstruct. Their output is disposed of coastwise by steamers, scows, and other vessels, which load in the open roadstead. 2 and 5. Messrs. Gardener and Yeoman have two sawmills in active operation ; one is situated on the Waihi Valley Road, the other is on the Alfredton-Weber Road, about three miles from Pongaroa. Both are substantially constructed up-to-date mills, with planing and moulding plants attached. The output is disposed of locally, enabling the settlers in the surrounding districts to obtain dressed timber at less than town prices. Both mills obtain their supplies from Crown lands. 3. Section 3, Block V, Mount Cerberus : J. Gosling and Co. have erected a substantial sawmilling plant on this section, and purpose cutting the dry and green logs on this and adjoining sections. The mill is not yet in full working-order, but it is expected to be working full time shortly. Timber disposed of locally—mostly small building orders from selectors in vicinity and surrounding districts. 4. Mr. E. Johnson's sawmill is situated on Education Reserve, Section 28, Block VI, Mount Cerberus, on the Alfredton-Weber Road, distant about two miles from Waione. Small portable plant, mostly engaged in cutting out small clumps of bush in the locality. Supply limited ; output disposed of locally, and small orders carted to Weber, in Hawke's Bay. 6 and 7. Carlson and Co., sawmillers, Marima, Mangamaire, have two up-to-date sawmills in active operation in the Waiwera Farm Homestead Association Block. The major portion of the output is disposed of in Wellington, the remainder is utilised for local requirements. The supply is obtained from lands held under " The Land Act, 1892 "—mostly dry logs remaining in grassed areas. 8. Hart Udy, Hukanui: Old-established mill. The supply is obtained from Native leasehold (now mostly cut out), going over the land for the second time. The output is mostly railed to Wellington, the remainder is utilised locally. 9 and 13. Messrs. Poppelwell and Quinlan, sawmillers, have two sawmills in active operation in the Kakariki and Stirling Farm Homestead Association Blocks. The major portion of the output is railed to Masterton and Wellington, the remainder is disposed of locally. Supplies obtained from lands held under " The Land Act, 1892." 10. W. Lawrence : Mill situated near main road on the Mangatainoka J 4 Block, about one mile from Hamua. Practically cut out. Lease expires in April, 1907. Output disposed of in Wellington, also small local orders. 11. H. Smith and Sons, sawmillers, have erected a sawmill on Section 27, Block IV, Tararua. The supply is to be obtained from dry and green bush on this and adjoining sections in the Stirling Farm Homestead Association Block. The mill is not yet in full working-order. Output to be disposed of locally, also portion railed from Newman to Wellington and Masterton. 12. C. Alberthsen, sawmiller, Nireaha : Mill situated on Nireaha Forest Reserve. Supply limited, practically cut out. Timber-supply obtained from freehold, also lands held under " The Land Act, 1892." Expects to cease operations about Easter. Output mostly despatched to Wellington by rail from Newman Railway-station. 14. Gardner and Son, sawmillers : Mill situated on Section 45, Block VI, Tararua-Mangaroa Road. Timber on hand limited. Supplies obtained from green and dry bush, also sound logs in grassed areas on lands held under " The Land Act, 1892." Output disposed of locally; also railed from Newman to Masterton and Wellington. 15. J. Drysdale, Nireaha : Mill situated on Nireaha Forest Reserve. Has obtained extension of time to cut over about 40 acres forest reserve. Supply obtained from freehold and portion of forest reserve. Output mostly Government orders for railways, &c.; remainder mixed timber for Wellington market. Supply of raw material sufficient for a further three years' cutting. 16. Mr. McDonald, sawmiller, Newman : Mill situated on Section 39, Block V, Mangaone, distant about three miles from Newman Railway-station by metalled road. Small portable plant, utilised in cutting sound logs in grassed areas, also small clumps of green bush in the locality of freehold lands. Output is ordinary building timber, utilised locally and Wellington market. Supply almost cut out. 17. R. Faulkner, sawmiller, Kaiparoro : Old-established mill, recently burned down. New plant erected ; not yet in full working-order. Supply obtained from freehold and education reserve of 1,000 acres. Output disposed of locally and Wellington market. 18. Harris and Rae, Hastwell Native Reserve: Milling-rights leased from J. Stevens. Timber in view limited. Supply obtained from freehold land and Native reserve. Output mostly disposed of in Wellington, remainder utilised locally for building purposes. 19. Mr. Sheath, Mangamahoe : Small sawmill, recently erected on owner's property, to cut dry and sound logs in grassed area. Output mostly utilised locally ; remainder railed to Wellington. 20. F. Smith has erected a small sawmilling plant on portion of the Wellington College endowment land on the Flat Bush Road, distant about two miles from Alfredton. The supply is obtained from freehold and College endowment lands. The output is consumed by local orders as yet. 21. Coradine and Whittaker : Sawmill situated on Mount Bruce Road. Supply obtained from freehold lands. Output mostly utilised in connection with their sash and door factory and general building business, Masterton. Timber carted to Masterton by teams, distant about nineteen miles by partly metalled roads. 22 and 23. A. McLeod, and Barker and Co., sawmillers : Mills situated at Upper Opaki, and on the Kiriwhakapapa Road. These two mills work in conjunction. Mr. McLeod's old mill is almost cut out, and he will remove his plant up to Kiriwhakapapa shortly. Supplies obtained from