WEEVILS IN SLEEPERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22971, 24 February 1938, Page 14

WEEVILS IN SLEEPERS

RESULTS OF INQUIRY AUSTRALIAN OPINION " After examining the Australian hardwood sleepers imported for the South Island Main Trunk railway, I can only say that the reports of weevil infestation were 90 per cent exaggeration," was the statement made yesterday by Mr. P. J. Drew, representative of New South Wales timber exporters, who, together with Mr. R. Cook, forestry inspector of the New South Wales Forestry Department, has just concluded an investigation of a complaint made last December by the New Zealand Government concerning the number of grubs found in the timber imported for railway construction. "There were weevils in a number of sleepers, but of a type that is almost harmless," continued Mr. Drew. " As to their being a menace as borers, they could not eat their way out of a loaf of bread. The results of the investigation have been satisfactory to both sides." Referring to the white ant, Mr. Drew said he considered the danger of bringing it into the Dominion in imported hardwood was negligible. Attempts had been made in the South Island to acclimatise it for experimental purposes, but they had failed. Apparently New Zealand, unlike Australia, was not a white ant country. There were two kinds of white ant native to New Zealand which could do damage, added Mr. Drew, but they were not such a grave menace as the Australian species.