West Australian Timber in New Zealand.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 3, 2 January 1907, Page 88

West Australian Timber in New Zealand.

The object kept in view in the designing and execution of the Millar Co.'s exhibit at the Exhibition has been to show the great variety of uses to which jarrah can be applied, and to group the whole into an exhibit pleasing and instructive. The exhibit is formed of a raised platform 20 ft. long by 12 ft. wide, and 10" high, of 9" x 2" jarrah nosed on the edge, with a scotia underneath it. At each end of the platform is a short piece of balustradmg finished m various styles. Upon this platform is erected a partition of 4 "x 2" jarrah studding, one side of which represents an internal wall of a hall or room. The centre piece of this side is a door, the bottom panels being raised, fielded and bolecti on-moulded ; the upper panels are also raised and moulded, but the framework surrounding these is chamfered. The frame surrounding this door is of 5" x 3" jarrah rebated and ovolo moulded, mitred at the angles and stopped. The frame is surrounded by an 8" architrave, which is built upon a large moulded block. This block also forms a stop for the skirtings. On each side of the doorway are erected massive columns 10 ft. high, 15" wide, and 15" thick The columns on the sides nearest the door are of a plain surface with a sunk fiddle-back mould stopped above the skirting and at top The front and remaining side of these columns are panelled, the lower panels being raised and moulded over the whole surface and surrounded by a scotia. The upper panels are carved in relief. These columns are further adorned with one small neck mould immediately above the carved panels, also a band mould 6" wide above neck mould, and to crown the whole is a cornice of 24" girth in the space between these cornices and band mould, reaching from one column to the other ; immediately over the door is a panel on which is carved the name of Millars Karri and Jarrah Co. On each side of the columns a partition is continued, which is covered with jarrah match-lining laid vertically, diagonally and horizontally, and is formed into panels by means of cover moulds. The whole of this elevation is finished in French polish. The back of the partition is covered with jarrah weatherboards of various kinds, viz. • rough sawn, dressed, check and chamfered and rusticated ; these being treated so as to represent the various styles and methods of using the timber for external coverings of houses. No undue polish has been given to this part of the exhibit, but it has been treated in a natural manner by being oiled, as is the usual custom with such work m Western Australia. Behind this, at a distance of 3' 6", is a massive piece of bridge work, and this is designed to give an impression of its great strength, and should form a very useful part of the exhibit. In addition to this set piece, there are also a great variety of mouldings, turnery, etc

The New Zealand Express Co.'s Fine New Building in Christchurch

Reinforced concrete AND STEEL HAVE BEEN FREELY USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION Or THESE PREMISES.

Architects — 5 &A.Luttrell Contractor — W. H Bowen. Plasterer — A Menzies

Of paramount interest to engineers, and especially railway engineers, are several sleepers, which have been in track use varying from 20 to 21 years, the whole of which are in more or less perfect condition, although having been in use in trying situations and having carried heavy main-line traffic. As a practical proof of the suitability of jarrah for the New Zealand climate, special attention is drawn to the two jarrah sleepers recently withdrawn from the Leeston-Southbndge line, after having been in track for 31 years, and which are still in a perfect state of preservation. Another interesting item is shown by a portion of a ]arrah pile, which has been in the Bunbury (W A ) harbour for thirty years being drawn m 1906. This pile has been sawn into halves, and shows no sign of decay.

Buy the best — poor raw material wastes the time of men, and it actually tends to discourage them in their work.