TIMBER MARKET

Otago Witness, Issue 4085, 28 June 1932, Page 7

TIMBER MARKET

USE OF SILVER BEECH FOR MOTOR-BODY WORK NEGOTIATIONS WITH ENGLAND. Provided that negotiations with the English buyers can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, there is a possibility of a great growth in New Zealand's exportation of silver beech, a wood which has attracted the attention of a large firm of British motor-bodv builders. Should tests with the wood prove that it will meet the demands of the motor-body building trade, it is expected that the firm at present interested in the use of this timber will place an order in New Zealand for about 9,000,000 feet of silver beech. Coming at a time when the New Zealand timber industry is suffering severely as the result of the depression, the opening up of a large market even for this wood alone will mean much to the millers. The silver beech occurs chiefly in Southland, but it is found in other parts of the country, and its proved qualities for various types of work indicate that the Dominion has in it a profitable commodity for overseas marketing if buyers can be induced to accept shipments. TRIAL SHIPMENT ARRANGED.

Negotiations between the Southland millers and the English firm referred to are reported to be well advanced. A trial shipment of silver beech is to be forwarded to England by the steamer Karamea this month, and a great deal will, depend upon the outcome of the firm s tests, although the local growers are confident that the wood will do all that is asked of it. Several mills will be given work if the negotiations are brought to a satisfactory conclusion, and the prospects of increasing the overseas trade are considered good at the moment. There are five varieties of beech in New Zealand, and the silver beech is one of the best known and most common of the species. It is light, but in spite of thi s it is stronger than many heavier woods. Its strength will be a great asset in the consideration of its potentialities bv the English buyers, and in addition it is stated to be about 30 per cent, lighter than the woods at present being used in the building of bodies in England. Each of the beech timbers has its own individuality and uses, but it is pointed out by experts that the silver beech alone is suitable for a variety of uses for which the others are not adapted, and there should not be any confusion between the species in considering the possibilities of an overseas market for beech. The silver beech is typically an inland tree, and it does well on poor land, favouring dry soil, generally being found on inland mountain slopes, ridges, and River flats. Its range extends from South Auckland to the extreme south of the South Island. *1 he present main commercial areas occur in Southland, but it is stated there are good prospects of a trade developing in other parts of the Dominion, notably on the West Coast of the South Island and at Mamaku, near Rotorua. The available supplies of the timber are large and, under correct management, it has been stated that they will last indefinitely. PRODUCTION FIGURES.

Some time ago the annual production of the timber was about 8,000.090 superficial feet, representing 2.3 per cent, of the total timber production, and about 90 per cent, of the timber cut conies from Southland and Otago. Until recently the Dominion exported about 3,000,000* feet of silver beech to Australia each year, and it is used extensively there for motorbody building, although reports from tlm Commonwealth indicate that there has oeen a decline in this industry.

The uses of silver beech are extremely varied, and its strength ami the ease with which it can be worked, in addition to the excellent finish that can be secured. ar e increasing its popularity, in industry. It is used extensively in the building trade, for farm implements, box-making, and other things, and recent tests indicate that it is highly suitable for the manufacture of rifle stocks.