Suspect treated timber sold mostly in North

Press, 3 July 1986, Page 8

Suspect treated timber sold mostly in North

Most of the timber treated with an allegedly defective preservative was sold in the top half of the North Island, according to the New Zealand Timber Industry Federation.

Timber treated with the alykl ammonium compound, known as aac, was used for facia boards, decking, fence palings, and rails. After problems with the supposedly preserved wood rotting, the

Timber Preservation Authority withdrew its approval of the compound. The compound became controversial after the television programme, “Fair Go,” alleged that the authority, which is a quango, decided to ban it 10 months ago, but did not tell the public. The main Christchurch supplier of the aac' compound to timber merchants is Hickson’s Timber Impregnation,

Ltd. When “The Press” approached the manager of the firm, Mr Bruce Sutherland, he would not comment.

The general manager of Carter Holt, Ltd, in Auckland, Mr Tony Marks, said that South Island people should not be concerned about the compound. "To the best of my knowledge, the use of this particular treatment in the South Island was minimal,” he said.

The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation says that only 2.4 per cent of all timber treated in the last seven years was treated with aac.

The federation was trying to find where the final liability rested, but in the meantime anyone affected should approach their builder or supplier. The Minister of Forests, Mr Wetere, said he would make a statement soon.

He had sought a report from the Timber Preservation Authority, he said.