LARGE KAURI LOG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19517, 22 December 1926, Page 13

LARGE KAURI LOG.

A TRE-IE 1600 YEARS OLD. THE TASK OF CUTTING UP. One of the largest kanri logs ever brought to Auckland was cut up for building purposes at, the Kauri Timber Company's mills in I'anshawo Street yesterday. The log was 13ft. long, anc'l after reduction to allow for more facile handling the girth measured 29ft. Bin. This makes a total content of £SBO superficial feet of timber. 'Hie approximate weight is 17 tons. The tree from which the log 'was cub is one of the largest in New Zealand, arid was growing in the Kauaerangu Bush, near Thames, where the company is at present operating, Tho height of the tree to' the first branch was over 1 50ft., and the girth was 43ft, It is estimated the tree contained 66,650 superficial feet of timber. Mr. A. B. Hammond, secretary to the company, estimates tho age of fee tree at 1600 yeairs. This is almost twice the age of the tre« from which a log was; s«snt to the Wembley Exhibition in 1924. The latter tree wais a sapling when William the Conqueror invaded England, and the exact age was computed by counting the rings in &, cross-section. It was impossible to transport the tree to Auckland as it was felled, so the trunk had to be divided into four parts. These were carried 14 miles by a. timber train to Parawai, and then raited and towed to Auckland- 'ins log dissected yesterday was too large to be cut by it break-down saw, and had to be " squared " to fit a 9ft. by 9ft. frame. " This is the largest log we have ever cut up," Mr. Hammond said, but wis are expecting «ome bigger fellows next year. At the present time there is a lajger log at Kauaeranga whi'ch cannot be squared for cutting owing io extensive wastage of timber. We have therefore decided to blast the huge trunk into four parte. This work is expected to be completed ! by February, when this legs will arrive in Auckland."