TIMBER MILLING INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22003, 29 January 1937, Page 12

TIMBER MILLING INDUSTRY

CONFERENCE ON WEST

COAST

SOCIAL GATHERING AT TE KINGA

Sawmillers and timber- merchants from various parts of New Zealand and other persons interested in the limber trade were the guests of United Sawmills, Ltd.. at a social gathering at Te Kinga, West Coast, yesterday. The gathering was the social part of a conference which the West Coast Sawmillers' Association has been holding in among the 160 persons present \™re many of the most prominent figures in the sawmilling industry in the Dominion. A special train left Cliristchurch at' 6 o'clock yesterday morning to take a large number of visitors from the city to Te Kinga. It arrived at 10 a.m., left again at 6 p.m., and had completed the return journey by 10 p.m. The weather at Te Kinga was gloriously fine and, warm, and the time passed quickly for the visitors. In the morning the mills at To Kinga and Mansons were inspected while in operation, and in the afternoon there were wood-chopping contests and other sporting events and launch trips on Lake Brunner. Several toasts were honoured at luncheon, which was taken in the hall at Te Kinga. After Mr W. R. Carey, chairman of directors of United Sawmills, Ltd., had welcomed the guests, Mr J. O. Coop proposed the toast of "The Visitors," this being responded to by Mr J. O'Brien, M.P. for Westland, Mr J. A. Bush, president of the Dominion Federation of Sawmillers, Mr E. S. Wilson, secretary of the Otago Timber Merchants' Association, Mr W. House, president of the North Canterbury Timber Merchants' Association, and Mr G. H. Bourne, manager of the Christchurch branch of. the Bank of New South Wales. Mr O'Brien spoke of the value of gatherings like the one being held, and said it was part of his duty to see that the sawmilling industry on the West Coast was carried on in a way which would allow fair profit to the miller and good conditions for the workers. Mr Bush spoke of the pioneering "'ork done by the West Coast Sawmillers' Association, a body now three or four years' old, in its present form, and especially of the tact and skill of its chairman, Mr D. Reese, who had done much to hold it together when times were bad. The toast of the State Forest Service was proposed by Mr G. H. man. and responded to by Mr A. R. Entrican. Speaking of the timber industry on the West Coast, Mr Entrican said that with proper management it should go on for ever. There were trees there in various size groups, and if selective logging could be instituted it should be possible to dispense with the old practice of hacking, cutting, and burning. To bring- thisr about was the object of the State Forest Service on the West Coast.

Other toasts honoured were:—"The Ladies." proposed by Mr D, Unwin. anrl responded to by Mrs W. R. Carey: "Directors and Management of United Sawmills. Ltd.." pronosed by Mr J. B. Reid, and responded to by Mr Carey and Mr T. N. Gibbs, managing secretary.

Mr Reese, who presided at the luncheon, made a presentation to Mr G Triopner. manager for Butler Bros.. Ruatapu. who is leaving the Coast 'shortly to take over the postion of peneral manager of the Kauri Timber Comnany, Auckland. In presenting Mr Trippner with a pair of field glasses, Mr Reese said he was goine to the biggest position in the timber industry in New Zealand. He had done splendid work for the sawmilling industry on the West Coast, and would be much missed there.