Logging and Lumbering in New Zealand.

Progress, Volume XVI, Issue 2, 1 October 1920, Page 42

Logging and Lumbering in New Zealand.

"The timber industry of New Zealand was never in a more prosperous condition than it is to-day," remarked James A. Gorrie, manager New Zealand Powell Wood Process, Ltd., Rangataua, New Zealand, on the occasion of his recent visit to the Pacific Coast where he spent several weeks in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California, visiting various lumber and logging operations. While in Portland he purchased a Willamette donkey engine for his camp, and was proceeding to London to purchase a locomotive of the Mallet type for use on his company's logging road. The Heisler, Climax and Shay locomotives are in use very generally on the New Zealand logging roads, as well as donkey engines manufactured in New Zealand. The princial lumbering operations are carried forward on the North Island of which Wellington and Auckland are the chief cities. On the South Island, Dunedin and Christchurch are the large cities. The population of New Zealand is, in round numbers, 1,250,000 of which 750,000 live on the North Island and 500,000 on the South Island.

"The elevation on the North Island in which the company is operating is about 2,700 feet above sea level, and is at the base of Mount Ruapehu which has a height of 10,600 feet and is snow covered. One of the principal woods manufactured is rimu (or Betts pine), which will run as high as 60,000 feet per acre. The trees will average 3to 4 feet, in some cases running up to 5 and 6 feet. This wood could be classified as a semi-hardwood, yet it has the characteristics of a softwood.

Other New Zealand Species.

" Matai is another species of timber which comprises from 20 to 25 per cent, of the stand. It will run from 2 to 4 feet on the stump and yields three 1 6- foot logs. White pine will run about 10 per cent of an average forest stand. In some cases pure stands of white pine are found. This timber will run from 18 inches to 4 feet and will produce from three to four 16-foot logs. This wood is very soft and white, odorless and highly prized for butter boxes and similar uses. During the war the New Zealand Government threatened to prohibit its export to Australia, but the latter country threatened to retaliate by not per-

mitting the export of coal. The embargo never became effective.

"Totara is one of the largest timbers New Zealand possesses. It will run from 3to 6 feet in diameter and yield four 16-foot logs. It is soft in texture and very durable when exposed to the weather.

"There are probably 100 logging roads in New Zealand with a gauge of 42 inches. This is the Government standard. It will be remembered all roads in New Zealand are operated by the Government. The donkey engines run in size from Bin. to ioin. up to ioin. x I2in., with two cylinders, double drums. The average yarding distances are 1300 to 1500 feet. The main lines are usually 7-8 and one inch, with 5-8 trip. The engines are usually mounted on a car, with ground yarding the common practice. There are only three high leads in use at the camps of Butter Bros., West Coast, South Island; Kauri Timber Co., Northern Wairoa, North Island and Powell Wood Process, Ltd., Rangataua, North Island. The average length of these sky lines is from 1200 to 2000 feet, generally single lines. The Powell Company utilise ij-inch double lines with wire core. The donkey engine is the Napier, built by the Vulcan Foundry, Napier. The frame is made of fabricated steel. A steam pressure of 150 to 160 pounds is allowed. The engineers are generally certificated men but on the smaller machines this is not necessary.

"On the sky lines we usually yard about 300 feet on either side. I have been looking for a practical self locking carriage for a sky line but have not been able to locate one on the Pacific Coast. Our carriage works pretty well most of the time, but occasionally it gives us trouble.

Outfut 1500 Feet per Man per Day.

"We get an output ot about 1500 feet to the man on an eight-hour basis. The roads have a length of 4 to 20 miles and cost about 8000 dollars per mile for construction. The average haul would be between four to five miles. The average logging labour cost would be about five dollars from the stump to the mill. The men are boarded on a basis of sto 5.50 dollars per 7-day week. Camps do not furnish bedding. Hot and cold water is generally provided. Men care for their own camps or huts as we call them. A hut is generally provided for each man who likes to be alone at night, reading his paper after the day's work is over. By working eight hours and 40 minutes for five days it permits of a Saturday half-holiday. "Wages will average in the industry about one dollar less than on the Pacific Coast.

"The sawmills are generally circular, with only an occasional band mill. The saws come almost entirely from the United States.

"The weight of the rail is usually from 20 to 40 pounds, with . locomotives running in weight from 16 to 55 tons v Roads are generally well constructed with 2000 ties or sleepers, as we call them, to the mile- The grade runs from 5 to 7 per cent. In

some cases we lower the logs on inclines and chutes are utilized occasionally. Motor Truck Haulage. “We are using in New Zealand motor trucks in the woods. The usual plan is to utilize big wheels eight to ten feet in diameter with a reach or tongue. The axle is arched, which gives a clearance sufficient to transport a 5-foot log. The clearance between the wheels is 6 feet. We estimate to carry twothirds of the weight on the big wheels or ‘jinkers’ as we call them, and one-third on the motor truck. We plan not to overload the truck but to give it only a sufficient load to insure traction. “Australia offers a better field for the exploitation of the motor truck in logging than New Zealand due to the fact that the timber is generally more scattered with no underbrush. The track-lay-ing tractor can be used with the big wheels or ‘jinkers’ successfully. Perham and Larsen, Ltd., Rangataua, N.Z., are using successfully a tractor on their farm. This company also operates a lumber plant. In some few cases bullock teams are employed in logging but they are getting rare. Some contracts are awarded for logging by the mills, more particularly on the North Island in the Kauri forests: This timber runs up to 8 feet in diameter, formerly water driven but now transported on railroads. “ Snow is with us on the other side of the equator in July, August and September to a depth of eight inches but remains only a short time. We have the sun almost every day—winter and summer. There are probably only six operations in New Zealand which operate in the snow. Making Log Ride Easily. “We find that by utilizing a piece of boiler iron to form what we call a “pan,” which is placed in front of the log being yarded, it helps naturally to permit the log to glide over obstructions and allows it to ‘nose over’ with greater ease and does away with the need of sniping. “Private timber holdings are pretty well exhausted and the bulk of the operators buy from the Government. The prices range from two to three dollars per 1000 feet. Payment is made on a basis of ten per cent of the value down, on the agreed estimate and the balance is by promissory demand notes payable as the timber is cut. The Government restricts purchases to 1000 to 1200 acres in one holding and does not permit of transfers except under certain conditions, imposed by the Land Board. Timber is sold generally by public auction, in some cases private tenders are accepted. Spark arresters are used in donkey engines which have horizontal boilers which can take 5 foot wood.

American gasoline Wade drag saws are used to cut wood for the engines. Unions are recognised by law. In the lumber industry we have three different unions to deal with. Collective bargaining is recognised by government. Compulsory arbitration has been found as a rule to work satisfactorily. "New Zealand lumber prices are not quite so

high as in the Pacific Coast states. We find the average efficiency of the men has gone down considerably since the war. "Shingles are used to some extent but principally tile and galvanized iron. The latter will last for 20 years in our climate.

Mr. Gorrie, while in California, was the guest of Manager Henry Stoddard, of the San Vicente Lumber Co., of Santa Cruz, who introduced him to redwood logging. The trip was a most enjoyable one. He was accompanied by the editor of " The Timberman." Mr. Gorrie will return to the United States in about two months. He visited Denver, Chicago, Detroit and New York. He desires to express, through "The Timberman," his thanks for the warm hospitality shown him by the lumber industry of the Pacific Coast.— The Timberman.