INFESTATION OF TIMBER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 78, 12 January 1949, Page 4

INFESTATION OF TIMBER

CONTROL EXERCISED ON IMPORTS (P.A.) _ WELLINGTON, January 11. The importance of strict inspections of Australian timber at New Zealand ports was emphasised to-day by the Director of Forestry (Mr A. R.. Entriean). Commenting- on an Auckland report of the activity of a flight of insects said to have emerged from a power pole, Mr Entrican said rigid inspections of Australian timber carried out on both sides of the Tasman reduced almost to nil tlie possibility of any further infested timber entering New Zealand, hut it was inevitable that a few cases would escape detection.

Inspections of imported timber were controlled by the State Forest Service, and specially trained and equipped officers were being appointed at tlie main points of entry. Timber was released only after it was certain that, there was no termite activity. There was no cause for alarm over the appearance of the Australian termite. This termite had been present in New Zealand for 20 years, and although it had made progress initially in Auckland and New Plymouth, the infestations could now be effectively controlled.