KAURI V. BALTIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 53, 16 March 1887, Page 2

KAURI V. BALTIC.

Meeting of Builders' Association

W_ continue our report of the proceedings at yesterday's meeting of the Builders Association, convened to consider the specifications of Baltic timber in tho contract for the new Custom-house •■— Mr Brabazon thought they had been on wrong lines from the start Tho question reaUy was whether or not they should havo an additional clause in the conditions of C °Tho C Cbairr_an denied this statement The question was merely as to a special clause for this particular Custom house con- *" Mr Brabazon maintained that it was a question of inserting a shrinkage clause or "°Mr Herbert did not understand Mr Mahoney to say that if Baltic pine wore u___ .he ouildor would bo relieved of liaconvinced of the valu-| .bto qualities of kauri, would bo 80 ry to see the Association commit llselt Dy illßisting upon its ueo in the CustomhoTse "contract. . In his "pinion there WM not. sufficient time to season it for the joinery work. TJie Baltic pine, of which he knew a good deal, was iu-t as liable to shrinkage. Ihe mbi merchants' ™ all moonshine (laughter). His advice was tn let tho specifications remain as they were and the builders stand upon their merits The companies should be able to Tfy outside. Thejoret ch*s of joinery work in Auckland wore the stock X and doors supplied from tbemilh, Mr Todd proposed, and Mr Julian seconded, " That this meeting is of opinion hat the.specifications for tho new Customhome should be loft as they are. Mr Julian would like it added " and does not fool aggrieved at Mr Mahoney having specified Baltic." The Chairman had wrongly said so Mr Brabazon proposed, as an amendmont "That the members of this Associate" do not think it advisable to add a shrinkage clause to thoir general condi-

' The amendment was subsequently with- i dr Mr n Curti v considered that the builders had taken uu a matter with which, as a body, they hid no concern They might as well make a stand against codar as against B The ""chairman thought the builders might well tako a broader view of the quoslioTi and treat it on public grounds. Mr Brabazon di.l not think tho Chairman should poao a_ a public benofactor, eeoing tlmt ho had dono the largest job in cedar Mr Wright pointed out that they might either regard tno matter from a political or from a selfish point of view. As true colonist', they should try to foster local industries by every means iv their power. As an old con! factor, ho know and fearlessly asserted that kauri could be made to servo, and servo as well a«, if not better, for budding or joinery purposes than any other timber that could bo imported. This was a Government job, and were thoy to stand idly by whilo foreign timbor was purchased for work for which kauri was thoroughly well adapted '.' In this matter, they should go hand in hand with tho architects -ana timbor merchants. I, ,!„..,. In answer to a question f.om Mr Pollard, Mr Wright said that he would not accept a "uaranteo from tho timbor companies Mr Carr challenged tho builders not to virtually slap Mr Mahoney in tho face, as their resolution would, but to declare the guarantee of tho timbor mercnants to he unworthy of ucccptanco. Tho guarantee had bcon formally proffered. Mr follard pointed out that Mr Mahoney had declined to accept a guarantee from tho timber couipanios. Mr Herbert (liko Mr Carr) looked upon the refusal of tho Company s oiiorod guarantee ue an unmerited slur upon them. , .. Mr follard said tho buildors woro quite willing to tako tho word of the timbor companies, but hilhoito tbey had not ollered it. , . . Mr Todd modified his resolution by proposing, " That this Association doclino to interfere with tho specifications for the Custom-house contract " At. tho invitation of the Chairman, Mr Monk also spoke. Ho expressed warm ap_ proval of Mr Wright's remarks, and said tho opinion of a man of exporioocs iiko him wa- wott'n that of fifty theorists. Many of tho local buildors were recently from Homo, ami had British prejudice?. Baltic pine required very cvrefui treatment to render it durable For instance, it needed three years' soasoning, otherwise it was liable to decay and dry rot, and would shrink and warp with every change of weather. _et, this material it was proposed to u=o for a public job, without any guarantee whatever Ho only ploaded for fair play for kauri, and only asked for it to be tried on its merits. If they would stop round to his office ho would give them abundant evidence of the treacherous character of Baltic pino, and if they would accompany him round the city ho would overwhelm with evidence as to the value and durability of kauri. Speaking as an outsider upon shrinkage, ho would welcome a shrinkage clause, for tho many who sold the good article or did the sound work would get a preference trade. Mr Brabazon eaid tho builders did not object to use kauri, but only the kauri supplied by the mills. Mr Gurrio maintained that the question wis foreign to tho interests of the builders, and should not havo been brought before them as an Association. If people wanted to protest against the uteof Baltic pino, the Mayor should have called a public meeting, and the builders could havo attended it as citizens. Mr C. S. Wright moved as an amendment, "That tho membersof this Association aro of opinion that kauii can be obtained that will produce sashesordoors equal to any timbor growo, and that if limber merchants are willing to guarantee that the kauri is properly solected and thoroughly seasoned, it is inadvisable to use other timber, but that the builders of this Association are not prepared to give a guarantee." Mr Pollard seconded. In answer to Mr Herbert, the Chairman ruled that tho representatives of the timber companies present had the right of voting. Several members painted out that the wording of the amendment was clearly opposed to such a ruling, and the Chairman therefore admitted his error. Tho amendment was then put and negatived, and tho resolution pledging the Association not to iutcrfere was carried.