MATAHINA TIMBER BLOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18761, 15 July 1924, Page 8

MATAHINA TIMBER BLOCK.

LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT. MAGNIFICENT RIMU FORESTIBX TELEGRAPH.—OWH CORRESPONDENT.] WHAKATANE. Monday. As soon as the title is put through in connection with the purchase of the Matahina timber block—and it is expected that this will be done 'frithin the next two months—Messrs. G, Syme and Co., and G. Syme, Junior, of Hawera, the purchasers, will immediately start the preliminary operations in connection with the sawmill's. First of all, an 11-mile tramline will have to bo constructed to link up with th* East Coast railway line to provide an outlet from the bush. When this is completed timber milling activities will commence in earnest. It is expected that some three or four mills will be working in the district as soon as the bush is linked up by rail. With an average mill about £700 is paid out each month, the money being mostly absorbed by the bushmen and mill workers employed, so that in the near future some £3000 per month will be circulating in the Whakatane district as a result of the establishment of a big industry. The Matahina bush consists mostly, of rimu and matai, with a sprinkling of totara. On the block purchased by Messrs. Syme it is estimated that there are about 80,000,000 ft. of timber. On the adjoining block, purchased some time ago by an English syndicate, there is a further 80,000,000 ft. The companies, it is understood, will co-operate *in various directions in the development of the industry. The rimu at Matahina is said to be the finest obtainable in New Zealand. Many of the trees are 80ft. in height. The tramline will open up farther fine timber country beyond Matahina. A deposit of £10,000 has been lodged by Messrs Syme Mth the Native Land Court at Botorua tind this will be paid out to the natives concerned as a first instalment of the purchase money of £38,316 as soon as the Land Court ratifies the deal.