LOCAL TIMBER FOR FURNITURE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 288, 31 August 1929, Page 22

LOCAL TIMBER FOR FURNITURE

SHOW COMPETITIONS An interesting competition was held in connection with the recent Winter Show in Wellington for a cup donated by the Dominion Federated SawmlUers’ Association for the best exhibit of furniture made from New Zealand timbers. At the Canterbury Winter Show and Exhibition a similar competition was held. There were five competi. tors, and the duty of judging and awarding the cup was entrusted to Mr. F. Campbell, manager of Messrs. Scoullars Limited, of Wellington, and president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Association.

Mr. Campbell In awarding the cup to Messrs. T. Cocks and Sons, of Christchurch, congratulated all ths firms on the displays made. The timbers which were used in the competition were mottled kauri, puriri, hinau, rewa rewa, and beech. The judge remarked that the almost universal us». of beech by all the competitors proved a somewhat solid endorsement for its usefulness for furniture. The selection and judicious use of this timber for panel and drawer fronts was most marked, and some fine effects were produced. The workmanship in every case was pronounced to be good, and the competition must have been particularly close, as indicated by the number of marks awarded. The prizewinner scored 88 points out of a 100, whilst the lowest number of marks scored was 75. In considering his award 20 points each were the maxi-' mum granted under the following headings: Choice of timbers, design, workmanship, finish and harmony.

The Department of Industries and Commerce, which is associated with ail the industrial exhibition enterprises held throughout the Dominion, considers that the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association in donating a cup for competition is doing a signal service in demonstrating to the public the commercial possibilities of NewZealand timbers, the excellent workmanship displayed, and generally the ability of selected New Zealand timbers to compare most favourably with furniture made from imported timber. The Department also emphasises that in the competition special cosideration was given by furniture'manufacturers to the use of other supplies made in New Zealand. AU dowells, glue, springs, etc., were locally manufactured, and special consideration was given by the judge in his award to those competitors who used material that was all provided in the Dominion itself.