SILVER BEECH

Southland Times, Issue 22471, 6 November 1934, Page 6

SILVER BEECH

A LARGE SHIPMENT 90,000 FEET FOR LONDON MARKET CAREFUL GRADING The new Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s motor ship Waiwera, which arrived at Bluff yesterday, will carry 90,000 feet of Southland silver beech timber to the London market. Along with this very large consignment will go 20,000 feet of turnery squares, used in the manufacture of a multitude of articles. Further shipments will be despatched later in the month. “When it is realized that the London timber market demands the highest quality the world can offer our efforts in securing an assured place in the Homeland for Southland silver beech are placed in an entirely new light,” said Mr R. Bauchop, who lias been associated with the trade since its inception, to a Southland Times reporter yesterday. “The barriers surrounding the London timber trade are extremely difficult to break down. Merchants there have been in the business for generations, and only buyers with a genuine and really worth-while article can obtain a hearing. Two billion feet of foreign timber is purchased every year, so it will at once be apparent that competition is hard and keen. “Great precautions are taken with imported timber,” continued Mr Bauchop, “and every plank in our order, which represents six car loads, is inspected and graded down at the Kew yards by the Forestry Department. We realized at the inception of the trade that some standard would have to be adopted, and so the American hardwood grading rules were used. It is interesting to note that as far as New Zealand is concerned we are the pioneers in this direction. Working under these rules we have had no regrets, and have been complimented by those at the London end on the excellent grading of the timber.

“Southland silver beech is retailed to the trade in England by J. Gliksten and Son, a firm that has been in- the industry for a great many years,” w T ent on Mr Bauchop. “These people are big operators, and do a huge business with all parts of the United Kingdom. This firm’s method in dealing with the timber trade in all its branches is the most efficient I have yet come into contact with.”

Mr Bauchop stated that later in the month a consignment of silver beech would be despatched to Hull. There it would be used to make heels for ladies’ shoes. “The Southland product is ideal for this purpose,” added Mr Bauchop, “for it is light and extremely tough.” Yesterday afternoon long lines of trucks were manoeuvred close to the Waiwera’s side and the loading of the beech commenced. Operations proceeded slowly as the timber proved difficult to secure in the slings. From the ship’s deck the care exercised in the preparation of the product for the London market could be appreciated—every plank was perfectly turned out. It will be no fault of the exporters if this new Southland industry does not develop into a matter of national importance.