FOREST RESOURCES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11418, 15 January 1923, Page 3

FOREST RESOURCES

THEIR NATURE & UTILISATION AN INTERESTING LIST. The nature and utilisation of the forest resources of the Dominion was the subject of a, paper read before the Science Congress on Saturday by Mr A. R. Eintricnn (State Forest service engineer in products). Mr A. V. Richardson, president of the agriculture section, presided. After reviewing our forest statistics the speaker said that the New Zealand practice had hitherto been, in view of the general abundance of timber, to take only the best and leave the rest to waste, only 32.75 per cent, of the cut tree, or 30 per cent, of the log dealt with at the mill, being sent out in useful form. This was significant, when contrasted with the figures for imported timber products, which had gradually increased from .£500,000 in 1902 to £2,500,000 in 1920. Co-operation between the producer and tho consumer was the solution of this problem of waste. The forest services had established a Branch of Forest products *o promote economical and profitable use of our timber. Much waste was entailed by tli-j several cuttings, first at the mill and then elsewhere, <o obtain small sizes. Standard cutting dimensions should be adhered to. A wood waste exchange bad been established to develop markets and uses, to which saw millers were requested to supply information of any existing waste. The use of superfine material for ordinary purposes was another source of waste, while the structural strength of New Zealand timbers had not yet been arrived at with any degree Of accuracy. Much timber was used green, with a resultant loss in extensive decay. The treatment of timbers with preservative to prevent the depredations of the borer, tho chemical and wood pulp exploitation of New Zealand woods, and the uses of plywoods were also dealt with, the paper concluding with an exhaustive list of the uses of New Zealand timbers.