A TIMBER BOOM.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1191, 28 December 1894, Page 39

A TIMBER BOOM.

PROPOSED TRIAL SHIPMENT. The Department of Industries and Commerce is issuing a circular to sawmillers throughout the Colony on the subject of the exceptional demand at Home for woods suitable for street-paving. It sets forth ; the action which the Government have determined to take in the matter, and is accompanied by a reprint of the information recently given in the New Zealand Times, as well as copies of the Agent-General's reports :—(1) On the various woods required for carriage-build-ing ; (2) on the various woods applicable for street-paving and cabinet-making • (3) on the size the timber should be cut,' and accuracy in cutting. The secretary of the department, Mr A M. Smith, points out that the woods specially recommended are rimu, red birch, matai, kauri and silver pine; and he requests from each person addressed a statement as to whether he is in a position to ship either of these in any considerable quantity, and, if so, at what price per 100 ft superficial, f.o.b. at the nearest port (mentioning port in reply). The timber must be of the best quality, sound, straight, and straight-grained; sawn true and die square, and free from knots, shakes, barkseams, wavy-edges, sap-wood and other defects. The timber to be cut in the following dimensions.- Lengths, 10ft, 12ft, and lift,.in equal proportions; and to be 9in by 3in in section.

The intentions of the Government are thus stated :— " The Government will be prepared to take direct from the sawmillers, and make arrangements for the shipment of, 100,000 ft of either of the woods above-mentioned from each provincial district where sawmills exist, their desire being that a fair apportionment should be obtained from the various mills in each district. In asking you to state your price per 100 ft f.o.b. at the port of shipment, the Government wish you to understand that they are acting in this matter solely with a view to extending the timber trade, and thereby doing good to the community, and they therefore hope no excessive price will be named, the object being to ascertain whether a profitable business can be established. The Government; hope the sawmillers will co-operate with them in their efforts to make this trial shipment a reliable guide as to what it is possible to do with our timber. The Government expert at Home will be ordered to take charge of the shipment and conduct the sales in England; and, on the results of the sales coming to hand, due publicity will be given them in the interests of the sawmillers."