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C—3a,

United States of America was found to be interested in some of the problems involved in the work, and the Forest Service entered into an agreement whereby the Forest Products Laboratory maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, at Madison, Wisconsin, undertook to co-operate in a study of the pulping and papermaking properties of a number of New-Zealand-grown woods. The Madison laboratory is undoubtedly the foremost institute of its kind, and maintains a staff of highly trained specialists in all the principal lines of pulp and paper research. It has pioneered many developments in. the industry, and achieved an international reputation for its contributions in the field of both science and commerce, so that reports issued under its a?gis are accepted as representative of the best advice available. Future Programme. In addition to studying the technique of pulping and papermaking processes, Mr. Entrican made a comprehensive investigation of the operational and economic aspects of the industry in North America and Europe. A number of the New-Zealand-grown woods having, therefore, been proved suitable for the production of newsprint, wrappings, and other papers, a detailed field examination of various localities will be made by the Engineer in Forest Products during the approaching year, to ascertain the commercial possibilities of establishing the industry in the Dominion. I have, &c, E. Phillips Turner, Director of Forestry. The Engineer in Forest Products to the Director of Forestry. Sir, — New Zealand State Forest Service, Wellington, Bth October, 1928. There is submitted herewith for your information a report setting forth the results of the tests made by the Forest Products Laboratory, U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, at Madison, Wisconsin, in co-operation with this Service, to ascertain the pulping and papermaking properties of six New-Zealand-grown woods. Originally the study was of a purely laboratory nature, but so promising weTe the results secured that its scope was extended to include a commercial pulp- and paper-mill trial, and through the courtesy and co-operation, of the Great Western Paper Co. at Ladysmith, Wisconsin, and the Consolidated Water-power and Paper Co. at Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, a shipment of New Zealand wood was successfully pulped and run into newsprint, rotogravure, and wrapping papers, the regular mill equipment at these plants being employed throughout. Both the laboratory and pulp- and paper-mill trials were beset with difficulties, and a mark of appreciation is paid to the staffs of the Madison Forest Products Laboratory, the Great Western Paper Co., and the Consolidated Water-power and Paper Co. for their tenacity of purpose in bringing the study to a successful conclusion. To the following gentlemen in. particular belongs the credit for the successful prosecution of the investigation : — Madison Forest Products Laboratory, Pulp and Paper Section—Clarke C. Heritage, in charge ; C. E. Curran, Chemist in Forest Products ; P. K. Baird, Associate Chemist in Forest Products; E. R. Schafer, Associate Engineer in Forest Products; W. H. Monsson, Associate Chemist in Forest Products; G. H. Chidester, Assistant Engineer in Forest Products. Great Western Paper Co., Ltd., Ladysmith, Wisconsin — Herbert H. Fish, jun., General Manager ; the late Mr. Winnege, Pulp-mill Superintendent. Consolidated Water-power and Paper Co., Ltd., Wisconsin Rapids Division, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin —Stanton L. Mead, Esq., General Manager ; Mr. Simpson, Millmanager ; L. Beeman, Esq., Paper-mill Superintendent. I have, &c, Alex. R. Entrican, Engineer in Forest Products.