THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10526, 29 November 1905, Page 4

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

OPENING OF NEW TJIUDGK

An important- event in connection with the establishment of the timber industry in this district took place yesterday, when, at the invitation- of the East Const Timber and Trading Company, some foity townspeople, representative of banking, commercial, and building interests, journeyed out from town to Tapuihikitea, whore the company's mill lias been for some little time in operation. The trip was made in three of Messrs Redstone V brakes, and though the roads were somewhat dusty, the outing proved thoroughly enjoyable, much admiration being expressed at the fertile and picturesque appearance of the country at the prosecit time. Tapuihikitea was reached shortly after 1 o'clock, and the party being met by Mr Druinmond, the works manager, proceeded to an inspection of the mill, which contains a most complete and uip-to-dalo plant. The 'process of breaking down the huge ka.hikitea. logs into baulk timber, and the conversion of the huge pieces of timber into boards of various sizes, was watched with interest, the whole being operated easily on a gravitation principle by men who appeared to be thoroughly proficient in the irork. The timber turned out was of excellent quality, being smooth and even in texture, and it was said that the species of pine that is being cut is a yellow pine much superior to the ordinary white pino. There is also a large quantity of excellent matai, which is very largely in demand for building purposes. From i the mill the party were conveyed by tramway to the site of the new bridge, half a mile or so distant. Timber trucks, which had been comfortably seated for the occasion, were the carriages, and four strong horses provided the motive _ power. After passing through a cutting the track emerged on to tho bridge, the size and stability of which excited, most favorable comment. It is slid to be the longest bridge in Poverty Bay and strong enough to take a railway train. The bridge, which yesterday was decked with Hags and ferns, crosses the Waipaoa river and gives access to the timber in Rangatira o.vl, where the mill is now operating. It was constructed in about three weeks by Mr John Soimrveil, tramway and bridge only costing £7CO. The work stands as a. remarkable tribute to economical construction and to private enterprise. The visitors were conveyed to a picturesque .spot- on the edge of the bush, where hampers were unloaded and their liberal stock of provisions >et out to satisfy the keen appetites of the holiday-makers. A capital luncheon was partaken of, and the party then proceeded on by tramway some distance- into the bush, where log-hauling O2>eratio«i6i were in progress. At tlie end of the tramway a powerful stationary engine is located with winding gear, anil by means of a stout steel hawser threequarters of a mile in length, the logs are hauled from a portion of the bush ait A placed on trucks. Whilst the visitors were -witnessing with much interact the work, the directors proceeded through the bush ti> inspect a proposed route for the extension of the tramway to another bush about a mile distant. There are a number of patches of fine timber extending along the valley of the Waipaoa towards Whutatutu, over which the company holds timber rights£*"and on -which it is proposed to commence operations. As showing the importance of this industry, even in its present stage, it may bo mentioned that the labor employed leads to the circulation of £100 a week in wages, and when the company gets in full going order, with a second mill at work, it- is expected that its labor sheetwill show £500 a week. The value of the industry to the district is more titan that, however, for it means the utilisation at last of our timber areas, cheaper building material for the people of the district, cheap firewood, and it is hoped the oxpoit trade will lead to cheap coal and gas.

On returning to tlic picnic ground at tile edge of the bush, the Hon. J. Carroll was called on by Mr W. L. Reos to declare the bridge open, whicli ho did in an •eloquent speech. '.Ho complimented those who had been instrumental in initiating the industry. It would mean the distribution of many benefits over u largo area of humanity. It meant the employment of many people, a reduction of the prices of timber; it meant encouragement to many, the piomotion ot activity in business, and a robustness in the commercial life of the district. They "would be contributing their part as a district to the general volume of business which ill itself helped to make the progress of tlie colony, (treat 'praise Avas diiic to the promoters of the company, and to those in whose hands was entrusted tlie carrying into effect of tlie arrangements, if they had' not export i science, experience, labor, and capital, such enterprises could not succeed, aud an industry liKe this meant such a tromeucious lot to ull. It was in au industry like tliisj that they could look upon the splendid results of the combination, ol capital and labor in producing liar- 1 mouious effects and adding at the ■.same timo to the wealth of our country. He only hoped, there was enough in storo of the raw material to keep the industry going for years to come, and once they had the work fairly stalled, lie trusted the intelligence- ujid foresight, of those who had laiige areas of timber would show them the possibilities of conserving the timber for milling purposes. Mr Bees and many of those Avho had in view tho potentialities of this district liad striven, liaid to removfe obstacles whicli had stood in the way W the -progress of the district, and whatever they might say of Mr Rees and many of those who were with him — he had bem termed a visionary— (laughter)— his efforts had boeii in the right direction. (Applause.) His perspective had been right, and only "wanted actual practical experience to carry into effect his ideas. He referred in praiseworthy terms to those who had worked hard and made sacrifices to bring about the initial .result that they had witnessed that day. There was, he coiir tinued, a bright future before tlie district. No one had any need to be pessimistic about the district; they should not waste so muck tune in sneering at one another and in petty internecine Avarfaro, but should come together and chart out a courso upon whicli they should work for the future development and upbuilding of the district, either tluough the agency of politica, or anything else. He had great pleasure in being present ;uul in declaring the Waihopi bridge open. Ho called for three cheers for the success of tho bridge. Cheers were heartily given also for Mr W. L" Rees, Messrs Drummond Bros., ami for Panapa Waihopi, after whom the bridge was named.

Mr Reos ref erred to the good work ■dono by Mr John Homervell, the oociImctor for the bridge. He auged that they should all do Hum 1 best in every way to develop tho resources of tlio district. Ho thanked tlio Hon. Mr Carroll for his attendance, and railed for cheers for him, whieh were, given with enthusiasm.

Panapa Waihopi spoke, expressing the pleasure lie felt at having the bridge named after him. He was an old man and would soon 'pass away, but. it- was gratifying to know that his naniej would be associated with, the bridge for evermore.

Tlio party Ml- Tapiitliikilra .shortly after 4 o'clock, and reUftncd to (own al" 7.