0.—3

31

The keen demand for timber experienced in the early post-war period has, therefore, receded, and a period of readjustment has been forced upon the industry. Attracted by the prices, good demand, and quick sales of the post-war period, many new operators entered into the business, and the trade of old-established millers rapidly extended. Withal, this expansion was naturally accompanied by co-operative marketing and price-fixing agreements. The question of immediate importance is, How can the industry be best established ? The solution of the problem is already apparent. Pricecutting is in vogue on the timber-markets, and this ultimately will serve to eliminate the more inefficient operators and enable the industry to reorient itself to meet the changing demands of the market, especially in competing with imported softwoods. The decline in demand has to some extent been of indirect benefit to both the industry and to the consumer. Hitherto a large amount of timber has been sold green off the saw to go immediately into use. To-day mills are carrying stocks previously urithought.-of, and, with ample supplies of seasoned timber to draw upon, users are accepting sap grades which would otherwise be unacceptable. Recognizing this new outlet for their sap grades, operators are endeavouring to establish a permanent trade in seasoned timber. It is to be noted that the enormous increase in the number of ferro-concrete buildings that are being erected, especially in the larger centres, cannot, as is popularly supposed, be regarded as a detriment to the timber trade as it applies to the use of New Zealand timbers. As a matter of fact, there is more 0.8. and inferior timber used in the construction of a ferro-contrete building than could possibly be used in a wooden building of the same dimensions, because in the latter, under the existing by-laws, a very large proportion would be heart-wood. It is therefore submitted that the modern practice of concrete building is an advantage to the utilization of our forests.

Auckland Testing Station: Beam undergoing Test.

2. The Forest Atlas. Three atlas maps were compiled during the year, making a total number of 57 maps recorded under the permanent Forest Atlas. Four atlas sheets were printed, making a total of 97 sheets printed up to date, while 102 still remain to be dealt with. 1,150 miscellaneous lithographs were printed, and 1,828 compiled plans, atlas sheets, tracings, graphs, &c., prepared. Topographical maps and plans showing the schemes of layout of planting-blocks and fire-breaks have been prepared in connection with the following State plantations : Hanmer, Balmoral, Blue Mountains, Greenvale, Kaingaroa, Karioi, and Riverhead. In addition, plans showing the species planted have been prepared for Dusky and Naseby State plantations. Public Inspection of Maps. During the year a keener interest was noticeable in the increased number of callers to obtain information regarding State forests, and to inspect the Forest Atlas maps. The facilities offered are keenly appreciated by opossum-trappers who desire to ascertain the location of their allotted blocks is State forests. 3. Photographic Records. The total number of negatives now on record is 4,485, and 5,356 prints, 112 lantern-slides, 10 enlargements, and 8 transparencies were made during the period under review.