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APPENDIX. TIMBER STATISTICS. (Reference —Tongariro Timber Co.) (1) Production of Totara and Matai (Feet B.M.).

It is to be noted that since 1921 (when no foreign competition was in evidence) the total timber-production has fallen to 88 per cent, of the 1921 production, whereas totara and matai have fallen to 66 per cent, and 7! per cent, respectively of the 1921 figures. (2) Importation of Cedar and Redwood. Cedar, Feet B.M. Redwood, Feet B.M. Year ended 31st December, 1924.. . . 1,300,000 1925.. .. .. 6,526,000 1926.. .. .. 8,905,000 3,500,000 1927.. .. .. 2,390,000 7,583,000 1928.. .. .. 2,066,000 7,478,000 Seven months, 1929 .. .. .. .. 729,000 7,612,000 It is to be noted that —( I ) Redwood and cedar together have been imported in approximately the same total quantity during the past four years, but redwood is now displacing cedar ; (2) redwood imported for the first seven months of this year exceeds previous annual importations.

(3) Wholesale and Retail Prices of Totara and Matai, September, 1929: King-country and Wellington.

Basis. —Sawmillers Timber Trading Co.: f.o.r. rates (a) for totara on trucks, Ongarue, (b) for matai on trucks, Ohakune :— s. d. Rail freight, Ohakune to Wellington, 202 miles .. .. .. ..59 Rail freight, Ongarue to Wellington, 266 miles .. .. .. .. ..66 Rail freight, Kakahi to Wellington, 242 miles .. .. .. .. ..62

(4) Corresponding Prices of Native and Imported Timbers (Rough and Co., Wellington, September, 1929).

Totara. . Matai. All Species Year ended 31st March, Per Ce nt. 1921 Per Cent. 1921 (MUUonleet Per Cent 1921 B m!) Production. B m!) Production. b!m.) Production. ; 1921 .. .. . . 18 I 100 21 100 308 100 1922 .. .. .. 20 111 25 119 315 102 1923 .. .. .. 21 | 117 24 114 304 991924—F. Comp. .. 19 106 24 114 317 103 1925 .. .. .. 19 | 106 23 110 344 112 1926 ...... 14 78 26 124 353 115 1927 . . .. .. 14 78 19 90 306 99 1928 ...... 11 66 15 71 270 88

Totara. Matai. Grade. Size. Sawmillers ! Rough and Co., Sawmillers ~ v , r , T.T. Co. (f.o.r.). Wellington. T.T. Co. (f.o.r.). Kou S h and Co., Wellington. Clean heart .. .. 10 in. to 12 in. 50/- 74/- ( + 24/-) Dressing heart .. .. To 9 X 1 .. 40/- 57/- (dressed) ( + 17/-). Building heart .. .. Scantling 27/6 42/6 ( + 15/—) 22/6 Rough heart .. .. To 9 X 1 17/6 30/—( + 12/6) 16/— Clean O.B. .. .. 9x1 30/Dressing O.B. .. .. 9 x) 27/6 .. 18/- 32/-(dressed) (+14/-). Building O.B. .. .. Scantling 21/- .. 14/-

Species. IT,™.*. Difference in Favour of Imported Timbers. Redwood and Cedar. Totara. Matai. Weatherboards .. .. .. 43/- to 45/- .. 57/- 12/- to 14/Joinery stock .. .. .. .. 56/- 74/- .. 18/— 25 per cent, reduction necessary to compete.