BUTTER BOXES

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1938, Page 7

BUTTER BOXES

MADE FROM RIMU TIMBER. OVERSEAS SHIPMENTS SENT. WELLINGTON’. June 14. Results of experiments on a commercial scale with hutter-hoxes made from sap rimii were reicrml to by me commissioner ul State Porcsts, the Hon. 11.I 1 . Laiigstonc, in an interview. He said r.iat seven a I thousand boxes had been shipped to Great Britain with more or less success.

The latest report, which related to a consignment ul S7g boxes shipped in February, confirmed the prenusin.r results of previous tests. Commercial shipments were being mwiiiged lor next season, when it was hoped some 20,000 boxes would he under observation on tTie overseas markets.

'•When it became evident in 1936 from numerous forest surveys and reconnaisaiioes that the available white pine forest resources were much smaller than previously anticipated, experiments with rimu hutter-hoxes, including commercial-size shipments to ureai Britain, were made,” said .Mr Langstone. "These tests included both tne Saranac or wire-stitched boxes and the so-called sub-standard boxes manufactured from gin. timber.

"Altogether, several thousand boxes have been shipped to Great Britain with more or less success. The principal lesson learned from these tests lias been the necessity for manufacturing boxes which are only just sufficiently large to contain the block of butter without any free air spaces, ns, where «uch free air spaces occur, it is found that the surface of the butter becomes tainted, probably as much the result of oxidisation, as of actual transmission

of timber taint. "White pine boxes give siniTTar trouble. "With the suli-standard boxes, some trou+Sle is also experienced in excessive splitting, but it is anticipated that, as a result of minor modifications in nailing and proper metal binding a satisfactory container of this type could be developed. A comprehensive series of tests designed to suit these modifications has therefore been authorised and will be undertaken immediately by the State Forest Service. ‘‘ln 'the meantime, however, cc/m----mercial shipments are being arranged for next season, during which it is hoped that some 20,000 boxes will he under observation on the overseas markets,” concluded Air Laiigstonc, ‘The last shipment upon which results are available was one covering 872 boxes shipped by the Cumberland in February last, the report on this cemfirming the promising results of all previous tests.”