THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 5

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

A BIG VENTURE. (Fuou Ouu Own CoaKKßroxDiNT.] WANGANUI, October 15

A matter of very great importance to the Natives, of interest to the timber industry, and bearing on the means of access to tne southern end of Lake Taupo, was up for consideration before the Aotta Maori Laud Board to-day. The Tonganro Timber Company, as it appears, has timber cutting rights over a large area of Native land between the Main Trunk line at Kakahi, on the Upper Wanganui, and L;ike 'i'aupo, and is applying to the board tor certain modifications of the agreement under which it holds the land, in addition to royalties payable, the company is under obligation to construct a railway line from the Government line at Kakahi to the mouth of the Karatau River, on Lake Taupo —a distance of about 40 miles. Tips line, when constructed, will open up a very large area of country capable of settlement, and also give a much-needed access to the southern end of the lake. The point at which it would strike the lake is about six or eight miles from Lake Tokaanu Village. The company desires certain modifications, which it is considered will be helpful to it in carrying out its undertaking. Owing to the parties not being fully prepared to sider the suggested modifications the matter has been adjourned to the 22nd inst., when the board will go into it with the Native owners, probably at Kakahi, where a number of them reside. The venture is one running into some hundreds of thousands of pounds, and fully 1000 million feet of timber will be affected by it. The main modification is a sug"ested deviation of the railway route where the country is considered more favourable for railway construction.

The Egmont Box Factory is interested in this great venture, also having timber rights over the Taurewa block, which adjoins, on the opposite side of the Wanganui River, the lands over which the Tongariro Company has rights.