NATIONAL PARK HOSTEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 79

NATIONAL PARK HOSTEL.

TIMBER FOR BUILDING. THE USE OF OREGON. WELLINGTON, November 29. With reference to the statement at Timaru by Mr Herbert Hall, architect, for the hostel at Tongariro National Park, denying that considerable quantities of American timber are to be used in the hostel, Mr J. A. Bush, chairman of the Main Truck Protection Guild, who was in Wellington to-day, said that he wished to make certain matters plain. There was no mistake in stating that Oregon timber was being used on the job, as he knew that at least 10,000 feet of flooring had already arrived. A member of the guild hiving verified the fact, while a member had also stated that an order- to him for 10,000 feet O. B. lining had been cancelled, and that he had been informed that Oregon was to be used it its place. As to the statement that New Zealand timbers could not have been available in time that was totally wrong, because the present known requirements of flooring and lining could have been supplied immediately 100 times over. One million feet of seasoned matai or rimn flooring and lining were ready for forwarding. “We are glad to have the assurance that New Zealand timbers are to be used in the building of the main hostel,” said Mr Bush, “ and are grateful to the Prime Minister for having used his influence in that respect.” Mr Bush said he wished to point out that in his letter he had not referred to the main hostel specificially, but to the work in hand, and the fact remained that the statement of the guild that Oregon had been taken to the job was accurate. The guild’s protest against the use of foreign timber for this particular job was thoroughly justified.