RIMU TIMBER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22376, 13 April 1938, Page 5

RIMU TIMBER

TRADE SLACKENS ON WEST* COAST

SAWMILLS IDLE AFTER EASTER

Because of a poor demand for rlmu timber in the New Zealand market, the sawmills of the West Coast will observe a longer holiday than usual this Easter. It is understood that all sawmills will close down on Thursday ( April 14, and will not reopen till Tuesday, April 26. The rimu market in the Dominion, said the chairman of the West Coast Sawmillers’ Association (Mr J. W. Callwell), had shown considerable slackening in the last two or three months and the supply was much in excess of the demand. The Government housing scheme, contrary to expectations, had not been of great assistance, though this was explained by the natural desire of the Government to help all productive trades, not only the timber industry. This desire, he stated, was reflected in the Government’s provision of tiled roofs on State houses, the large number of brick facings, instead of wood, and the use of plaster board, the production of which is also a New Zealand industry.

CLEARING SLIPS FROM

ROADS

COMMUNICATIONS ARE BEING RESTORED

On the road from Christchurch to Nelson via Lewis Pass and Murchison slips are being cleared and cars are able to make the journey with safety. Tlie slips between the top of the range and Murchison were not as serious as those on the Springs Junction-Reef-ton end of the road, and the cream lorry from Station Creek made the journey to Reefton on Sunday via Murchison with little difficulty. During Friday, Saturday, and Sunday provisions were conveyed to the men marooned at the Big Bluff on the Maruia road, and the men from Reefton were engaged on Saturday clearing the road beyond Crushington. Communication to Stevensons Flat is now available. '

FOOTBALL AT REEFTON

Playing at Reef ton on Sunday afternoon, the Waratah senior League football team beat Blackball by 13 to 8. The Inangahua Rugby League centre has been advised by the Westport Borough Council that its application for the use of Victoria square playing area for an exhibition game of League between Blackball and the Reefton League terms for Easter Monday has been granted. Proceeds will be given to the Holland Memorial Fund. The South Auckland Centre has also advised that the request for a representative game has been granted, and the game will be played at Huntly on June 4. t . . On Saturday at Reefton, a combined Senior Inangahua team won a Rugby match against Star, the score being 14 to 12.