Chips & Sawdust.

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 16, 19 July 1902, Page 11

Chips & Sawdust.

(By “ Rata.”)

TIMPAMY'S. The above mill is situated on the Seaward Bush Railway, about 18 miles from town. The bush area was acquired by the firm of Timpany Brothers on the opening up of the Seaward Bush railway. Mr H. Henderson is the leading bushman, and associated with him are Messrs Sinclair, Young, J.- Faulkner, H. Shand, and A, B. Munroe. M. Dooley drives the hauling engine, and he gets the logs on the bank in fine style. Bill Perriam is the log trolleyman, and as he is wellknown I need say nothing as to his abilities. Mr R. Riordan is the engine-driver in the mill, H. Ackers length breast bench sawyer. His mate at the tail end of the bench is Bill Smith, who is one of the best tailers-out in Southland. I must not forget to mention that Jack Hamilton also plays a conspicuous part in the converting of logs into timber. Alex, Moncur is the yardsman, and has a capable assistant in Duncan McKenzie. P. Hamilton is the machinist. Mr IST. Timpany is the senior partner, and Mr Robert looks after the mill, which is situated alongside the railway, thus facilitating the prompt delivery of orders, but in the grain season there is difficulty in procuring trucks. Messrs Timpany Bros, have also mills at Pahia, and another is to be erected shortly at Groper’s Bush.

Mr Young, of the Excelsior Timber Company, is erecting a mill beyond the Waiau. Bob Mitchell and W. Gill are the assistants. I bear that the firm do not intend to push matters until the Orepuki line is extended. The distance from the railway at present is about 14 miles, and the timber will have to be ‘ punted ’ across the river.

* * * Messrs Cross and Fortune’s mill is situated about three miles this side of the river, about ten miles from Orepuki. The timber is carted to* the siding at the latter place by waggon. * * * Snowy Stanway has left Bush Siding, and is now working at Tisbury. He is an ardent cyclist, and rides to and from work daily. * The Arbitration Court will not sit again for another month owing to the illness of the Court’s member, Mr Slater. At present the Court is fully six months behind with its work, so with this farther adjournment the work will go still further back. * # * A case in which the local Union is proceeding against an employer for not complying with the award, fixed for hearing on the 12th June, was adjourned until the 21st June, then until the sth July, and now an intimation has been received stating that the case ‘ has been adjourned, and no date as yet has been fixed.’ * # * Owing to the spell of dry weather at Kamahi it was necessary for the hands to sink a well to obtain sufficient water, Alf, Dawson was chosen to do the work, and was fortunate enough to strike a four feet seam of lignite. After toiling away for some time the water finally disappeared, and now all hands are thinking seriously of forming a syndicate to work the lignite. * * It will hardly be credited that there is in Southland a family of 13 children who can neither read nor write. The father is a well-to-do farmer, and can well afford to allow them to go to school, but as they are four miles from the nearest school, it is not compulsory for them to attend. The father gives as his reason for not sending them that he had to get on without schooling and so will they. This is a fact. The family resides not many miles from Gore.

1 Our genial friend J. Lopdell had rather a trying experience lately. He left Kamabi for Woodlands by the 6 p.m. train en route for Woodstock. On arriving at the former place his lantern refused to burn. Those who are acquainted with the roads in that quarter can well understand the state he was in on arriving at his destination. But after all it is rather a handy way of getting a load of soil for the garden. * * *. A. R. Wallis’s mill having cut out all the bush area at Woodstock, is closed down indefinitely. * * * A very large order for totara was received by a local firm from the North recently, but they could not touch it. * * * • m Joe Coombs was passing the Town Hall at Orepuki when he noticed a pair of gum boots sticking out of a box. On making a close scrutiny he found Sandy was on the other end of them. It appears that he was waiting for the young lady, and was anxious to keep his feet dry, # * * Mr Pape, secretary of the recent Axemen’s Carnival, has communicated with all the principal axe and saw manufacturers of England and America with a view of getting trophies for competition at the next carnival. Moat of these companies do an extensive business with our local firms, so that the"application is a reasonable one, and it is to be hoped it will have the desired effect. # * * Great excitement was caused at our mill last week (writes Spectator from Waicola) when our taller out, L. McLachlan, who comes from Gatlin’s way, challenged the slabby, E. Ferguson, who hails from Orepuki, to chop an eighteen inch block for the sum of £1 upwards. All hands (bar the cook) went up the bush and soon had the logs in position. Mack, being the heavier, was the favourite, but it was seen when both*,started on their respective logs that there was little to choose between them. McLauchlin turned first, but the steady slogging of the Southlander told in the second side, his block falling a few seconds 1 ahead of his opponent. He was promptly challenged again and accepted, amidst the applause of the spectators. As both lads are training for the event, some good time is expected to be put up.