Better use of native woods likely soon

Press, 23 June 1984, Page 2

Better use of native woods likely soon

Greymouth reporter

The better use of rimu and other native timbers may result from a Native Timber Promotion Board which will be started in the next few months.

The feasibility of developing a new timber grade for furniture manufacture was studied this week by Forest Service officers and representatives of the Canterbury furniture Manufacturers’ Association. The assistant conservator of forests at Hokitika, Mr G. P. S. Allan, said yesterday that he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting. He said that it showed a “strong determination” to set up a working party to investigate making better use of native timbers. The Promotion Board will consist of representatives of the Forest Service, the

Trade and Industry Department, Canterbury furniture manufacturers, the West Coast Sawmillers’ Association, and the West Coast Regional Development Council.

At present, all timber produced from logs was graded for either dressing or building and the Forest Service was trying to make manufacturers appreciate that a large portion of the building grade timber could be better used for furniture, Mr Allan said. He said that the Forest Service recognised that treated radiata pine was very suitable for framing and housing, and it was hoped that the amount of native woods now going into building could be reduced to allow timbers such as rimu to be used for “something better,” which would realise their distinctive features.