THE CUSTOMHOUSE CONTRACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7896, 15 March 1887, Page 6

THE CUSTOMHOUSE CONTRACT.

BALTIC V. KAURI PINE.

1 Yestkrday forenoon a deputation—consisting of Messrs. Charles Rhodes, Brabason, Julian, and J. J. Holland, members of the Builders' Association; Mr. R. Monk, M.H.R., manager of the Mercury Bay Timber Co. ; and Mr. Herbert, manager of the New Zealand Timber Co.—waited on Messrs. E. Mahoney and Sons, architects for the new Customhouse buildings, in regard to the specifications, which required that Baltic pine should be used for sashes, doors, etc. They were received by Mr. Mahoney, jun., and the snbjeot was introduoed by Mr. Rhodes, as chairman of the Builders' Association. , , Mr. Rhodes said that the resolution passed at the meeting whioh had been held was not formal, but they all felt aggrieved that certain foreign timber had been specified for the Customhouse, and they had come to wait on Mr. Mahoney, to ascertain his reason for this provision. The whole thing was got up hurriedly, but they felt aggrieved that foreign timber should be imported when they had timber her* equally good and much cheaper, and he, therefore, asked Mr. Mahoney to state his reason for specifying the foreign article. Mr. Mabonkt said he would be very pleased to give them an explanation as to why he had specified Baltio timber in the Customhouse contract. Kauri was do doubt an excellent timber when properly treated and well seasoned, but, as it was usually supplied from the mills here, it was unfit for high class work when exposed to the tun. This wai well known to all of them, and some time ago when a dispute arose between the architects and builders the builders refused to be responsible for shrinkage, on the grounds that it was supplied to them in an unseasoned state, and they had not time in their oontraots to allow it to season. The result was that it shrunk and warped when exposed to the sun and atmosphere, and this was more especially the case with sashes, in regard to whioh it was a source of great inoonvenienoe, for after being exposed for a time the saihes would not open, and whea they were planed down to make them free again they shrank, and became too loose and rattled, and admitted draughts. As a superior class of work was required for the Customhouse, it was thought necessary, as the builders refused to be responsible for shrinkage, to specify material whioh would stand the sun, and Baltic pine was chosen, it being at all events seasoned when it arrived here, and not subject to warping. It was therefore decided to specify it for sashes and outer doers, but to use kanri for the rest of the work. The portion of the work for whioh Baltio pine was chosen was small, and only where kauri would not stand, but he would have no objection to use kauri timber; in fact, would be most willing to forward local industry, provided the builders would take the responsibility for any warping or shrinkage, and to replace any defective work. Upon this condition he would be only too pleased to substitute kauri for the Baltic pine, and to forward any local industry that he could, but something must be done to provide an improved class of workmanship, and prevent the use of timber snoh as was usually supplied here. Mr. Rhodes spoke as to the time allowed to builders here as being toe short—fifteen months for the Customhouse they all considered too short. Under the most favourable circumstance* it would take two months to pat in the foundations, and four or six months if they got; bad weather, and it might be wise to extend the time by at least three smooths. Then, again, in such a building as this there was quite a forest of plastering, and if a longer time was given the plaster would have time to dry, for kanri any other timber put into those while reeking would not stand the damp. The work to be good required a longer time to complete. If the architects combined to give the builders more time they would guarantee seasoned timber, and the companies must supply timber seasoned at least for two years. He would like to hear Mr. Mahoney's mind on the time generally given for contracts, for they must have more time for a better olaes of work.

Mr. Ma.7lo.vey said he was willing to extend the time three months, bat he might remark that many of the reasons urged by Mr. Rhodes would not interfere with the seasoning of the timber, for, while the foundations were being made, and the brickwork erected, they could season the joiner's work, bat the timber mast be seasoned at the mill, and a few months' extension of time would not make mack difference to it. Mr. Rhodes said if they rushed on timber while the walls were reeking wet, no matter how well seasoned the timber was, it would warp. Mr. Herbebt said be felt bis reputation was somewhat at stake. His company bad supplied the material for the Free Public Library, the doors of which were so mush complained about. They were eleven months in frame and nine months seasoned, bat they were requested to supply the joiners' work when the walls were reeking. Now, any timber could not stand under such oircumstances, and he maintained his contention then that the doors should not b<3 hung until three months later. No building bad ever been put np so rapidly as the Public Library, and the last coat of plaster was not on when the doors were hang; and was that, he asked, fair treatment for their magnificent kauri 1 This waa not mere rumour, it wu a fact that the doors did shrink, but that was no fanlt of the timber but of the ridiculous time in which the work was rushed through, therefore, be- thought builders were entitled to more time for completing large contracts. Mr. Monk said he waa very glad that Mr. Mahoney had taken the matter up, if not with the manner on which he had done so. He wished it had been taken up three years ago, and it would then give their magnificent kauri an equal chance with European timber. In Europe there was a penalty for cutting timber out of season, and even the great Napoleon did not think this a matter beneath his notice. If the authorities here determined that only a certain class of kauri, properly prepared, be used on public works, then preparations would be made for supplying this timber, and the conditions should be complied with. A great wrong was done in uting unsuitable timber on public works. The architect may not know when the tree was out, and a great deal depended on that. Some years ago he had seen gate posts put in at the Supreme Court, and although they were heart of kauri they rotted away in five years ; bnt depend on it the tree was oat at the wrong time. In Europe, when timber was cut at the wrong season, dry rot set in. But if the architects told him that the rule in future would be that they would only accept prepared and seasoned timber, he would be prepared to have the timber and give them satisfaction. He would cut it in the right time, and that ought to be provided for by legislation. Next, he would thoroughly wash oat the timber. He could supply in twelve months properly seasoned timber, bat that would be costiy. He shor.ld saw it, and then put it for a month in a running stream of fresh water, and tben stand it in a raok, and it would be better seasoned in eight months than in three years by the ordinary process. To go further, it was a matter of importance thiht it should be known that kauri was superior to acy known timber, for with its natural exesilenoe it had great durability, and how important it was then that it should not be branded with irregularity of result, as at present when some shrinks and some does not. If this wu the result of their carelessness, how essential it was ihat they should have some power to prevent them from causing this oharaoter for irregularity. It was true that gome kauri warped and shrank, and that others stood. He could tell the proper kauri when cutting the tree, and if the arohitecta insisted on having it properly prepared they wouid supply it. Mr. Mahoney said the matter was very simply settled. They were quite willing to specify kauri if the builders would undertake the responsibility, and he was also willing to extend the time, bat the builder mast be responsible for shrinkage and warping, and if they aooepted those oonditions he would alter the specification. Mr. Monk asked, would he also undertake that the doors and sasbss should not be pat in until the plastering was dry, otherwise the result would be unsatisfactory. Mr. Mahonky said he would agree not to allow the joiners' work to be put in until the plaster was sufficiently dry. Mr. Biubazon said they were there merely as a deputation, and were nob justified in agreeing to any oonditions or coming to any oonolusion until they held a meeting of the Builders' Association. Mr. M.ahonky said if they wished to take time to consult they could postpone this conference, bat he reminded them that tenders dosed on Wednesday.

Mr. RHoDKS.said they would call a meeting, and let him know the result next day (Tuesday). After some further conversation, Mr. Rhodes thanked Mr. Mahoney, and assured him that no blame was attributed to him by the builders. The deputation then withdrew, and it was at once determined to oall a meeting of the Builders' Association, to be held today at two o'clock.