NO SHORTAGE OF POLES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19700, 4 August 1938, Page 8

NO SHORTAGE OF POLES

AUSTRALIAN HARDWOODS REPLY TO MR. SEMPLE (Pnr Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. A statement lias been made by Mr. C. E. Critchley, Australian Trade Commissioner, in regard to the reported statement of the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, to the Banks Peninsula Power Board that a type of reinforced power pole had been evolved which was expected to supersede the hardwood pole from Australia, and the Minister’s incidental remark that the supply of nardwood poles was so depleted that Australia was said to be two years behind with its orders and, in fact, hearing the end of its own supplies. Mr. Critchley stated that while delays had occurred in deliveries only in a few instances had they been as long as two years, and many orders were delivered within specified times. The delays had given considerable, concern to the forestry authorities in Australia and the position had been recently the subject of investigation and conferences between the New South Wales Forestry Department and the timber suppliers. Some of the causes were found in the systems of cutting timber and, at times, the delays had been due to shipping difficulties. Steps were now being taken to remove these causes, and arrangements were being made which, it was expected, would ensure that New Zealand gets its requirements readily and assuredly over a continuous programme of years. "There are ample supplies of poles available in Australia for many years to come, not only of ironbark, commonly used in New Zealand, but of other hardwoods acceptable to Australian engineers, and with the steps being taken by Australia to remedy the difficulties at that end, and if New Zealand would assist by standardising its requirements, the delays should disappear entirely,” sdid Mr. Critchley. "There is no shortage in Australia and New Zealand will then be assured of supplies of poles which, in many conditions, are more suitable than concrete and which, in general, cost considerably less.