GRADING OF TIMBER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 108, 9 May 1928, Page 9

GRADING OF TIMBER.

SUGGESTIONS OF MILLERS. ADOPTED BY EXPERTS. BIG FORWARD MOVEMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The committee of experts appointed in April, 1927, to draw up improved grading and classification rules for New Zealand timbers, has adopted important suggestions made by the Sawmillers' Executive, which will have the effect of virtually merging the present terms and practices o£ grading timber, which differ to some extent in each province into a uniform system with minimum disturbances of the present practices. Before the proposed uniform system can be definitely adopted, however, it is the intention of the Timber Committee to consult immediately with the Timber Merchants' federation, and opportunity will be given to all millers, the Institute of Architects and the Master Builders' Federation, to make comment or constructive suggestions. These consultations will be arranged as quickly as possible. It is the intention of the Timber Committee to recommend that the new grading and classification rules, when finally completed, shall be adopted universally by all Government Departments as a basis for the purchase of the timber requirements for those departments and as a basis for uniformity in timber specifications for all buildings constructed by loan moneys advanced by the Government Departments. This is calculated to more quickly bring about complete adoption of new rules, and it will be a big factor in bringing about a wider and more complete use of New Zealand timber in preference to imported species. Sawmillers consider that the inauguration of uniform and definite grading and classification rules is probably the biggest step that has yet been undertaken to place the industry on a better footing, and that it is certain to lead to greater satisfaction to timber users generally and to a proper appreciation of the real merits of New Zealand timbers for practically all purposes for which wood Ts used. It is not anticipated that the new grading rules and collateral specific definitions of allowable defects in timber will be complete in all details or actually final when adopted, but the care and detailed work which has been put into their compilation ensures that nothing but minor or trifling alterations may be neccssary from time to time.