SILVER BEECH

Evening Post, Issue 2, 2 July 1932, Page 13

SILVER BEECH

MOTOR BODY BUILDING

ENGLISH FIRM INTERESTED

Provided negotiations with the English1 buyers can be brouglit'tb;'a"satisfactory conclusion, there is a .'possibility of a great growth -in New Zealand's exportation of silver beech (or birch), a wood which has attracted the attention of a largo firm of British motor .body builders. Should .tests.with the wood prove that it will meet the demands .of the motor body building trade, it is expected that the firm at present interested in the use of this timber will place an order in ]Sfew Zealand for about 9,000,000 feet1 of silver beech. ■ • ■■■. ; ■. •■■■

Negotiations between tho Southland miller and the English firm referred to are reported to be well advanced, says a southern report. A trial shipment of silver beech is to be forwarded to England by the steamer Karaniea this month, and a great deal will depend upon the outcome of the'!-firm's tests, although the local, growers are confident that the wood will do all that is asked of it. Several mills will be given work if the negotiations arc brought to a. satisfactory conclusion, and the prospects of increasing the overseas trade- are considered good at the .moment. . . .

Some time ago the annual production of the timber in New Zealand was about 8,000,000 superficial feet, representing 2.3 per cent, of the total timber production, and about 90 per cent, of timber cut comes from Southland and Otago.-Until recently the Dominion exported about 3,000,000 feet of; silver beech to Australia each year, and it is used extensively there for motor body building, although reports from , the Commonwealth indicate that there has. been a decline in this industry.