GREAT BRITAIN'S TIMBER ACCOUNT. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6383, 28 July 1882, Page 4

GREAT BRITAIN'S TIMBER ACCOUNT. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I think before starting to export our timber our merchants and sawmillers should combine together to prevent the indiscriminate felling of our splendid timber all the year round, which is carried on to such an extent that were a quantity of such timber as is to be found in many of our yards sent Home to the English markets, the verdict would probably be good for nothing." No one would imagine that good wood should be felled in summer. Now if a shipment which had been felled in winter, when the sap was down, was the first in the market, very different would be the result. Certainly we have splendid1 timber, and if felled at the proper time and well seasoned, it would hold its own with that of any country. Were it possible for the road boards to select such for bridges, $c, what a saving it would be to the country; indeed, for any purpose of building, the difference of time it would last would astonish those who have never tried the two methods; and how much neater the work when tho timber is seasoned than when it is warped and curled about, as so many of the boards in our buildings are. Trusting that this word of warning may deter some from rushing headlong into the export craze, without waiting to reflect on what is suitable for the' English market, and thereby injuring the reputation we may with a little care hope to gain,—l am, &c, R. J. Fermor Willson. George street north, July 24th.