NORTHERN TIMBER MILLING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 37, 12 February 1910, Page 11

NORTHERN TIMBER MILLING.

A BtG CONTRACT. (By Telegraph.- Own Correspondent.) DARGAVTLLE, this day. The timber industry in the Kaipara is still responsible for the employment

of a very large number of men, but one of the largest contracts at present in operation is at Awakina,- from where Mr. Thomas Hawkins is now installing wiat is probably the largest bush plant ever put into the bush North of Auckland, at a cost of about £4,000. This consists of four miles of rails, two miles of sfceei rails, and two of wood, and these will be utilised by three steam engines. One stationary engine will lift and lower for one mile over the hill. • The locbmbitve will, haul

timber for two further miles along the • from, when the second stationary engine will take tie ..timber a further, mile up, and over another hill to a. point where it is put into the creek. A steam log ; ha'ulef, is also engaged to draw the timber from bush to tram at various points. Mr. Hawkins is under contract to the Kauri Timber Company to deliver some ten million feet of kauri, and also fifteen million feet of rimu and kahikatea, from this locality. The contract extends over a period of

three years, and during that time tha money turnover involved will approximate £50,000.,,.THree/.aams .have been constructed by Mr. Hawkins, and since Christmas he has had several successful 'drives,' getting targe' quantities of-tim-•ber some miles down the' creek. • ■■■•la about three "weeks' time he hopes to have the tram working in full swing. The price secured for this contract by Mr. Hawkins is very' satisfactory, and ho has every prospect of good reward for his enterprise. ' ' '"'"