METHODS IN USE OVERSEAS

Southland Times, Issue 25746, 9 August 1945, Page 8

METHODS IN USE OVERSEAS

SAWMILLING INDUSTRY Some idea of the methods used in the sawmilling industry in the United States of America, Canada, England and Sweden was given by Mr Norman J. Dolamore, conservator of forests, Rotorua, in an address to the Southern Sawmillers’ Guild at Invercargill yesterday. Mr Dolamore recently returned from a visit to these countries. Mr A. V. Poole was chairoaan and representatives from all sections of the industry in Otago and Southland were present. Mr Dolamore said that he had gone overseas to investigate the methods of other countries. His scope of investigation had been fairly wide and he had secured as much data as possible that was likely to be of use to the forest service in this country and the sawmilling industry. He had gone first to America, then to Canada, England and Sweden. From Sweden he returned to England and then back to America, where he toured the southern states before returning to New Zealand. He had travelled fairly constantly for about 10 months. USE OF CHAIN SAWS A method of felling which was widely used in America and Canada was the use of chain saws. One unit weighed 8001 b and was moved about the bush by various' means. It appeared to be sure and efficient in every way and did a very good job. They could not get such good direction in placing the tops, but that did not seem to concern them greatly. The chain saWs saved a lot of hard work and could cut down as low as 18 inches in some places in big timber. In the southern states of America he had seen the circular treefelling saw, which was mounted on two wheels, in operation. This saw was extremely efficient on fiat ground. It cut stumps to ground level. Planing mills he had seen were much faster than anything they were likely to see in this country, Mr Dolamore said. But if any millers were contemplating shipping pinus insignis to Australia they would have to consider these methods. They had to remember that they would be competing with other countries which turned out a much more attractive job. The American product, although poor timber, was dressed, square-timbered and stencilled with the trade mark. Everywhere in the United States thin end-matched flooring in choice hardwoods was used, said Mr Dolamore. This was also being used in Sweden. He thought that New Zealand beech would be suitable for this type of work. A lot of timber now going into the box could be used for this work. In America and Sweden they used far more wooden floors than in this country. There was no waste at all. TRAVEL DIFFICULT

Travel had been very difficult in England while he was there, the speakeb continued. Rocket bombs had been falling all the time and one could not get about without being a nuisance. However, the Ministry of Supply had placed a car at his disposal one day and he had had been able to look over one of the biggest mills in England. In Sweden he had travelled from the south to the north looking over sawmills and factories. There was no wood waste in Sweden at all. They made the finest doors he had ever seen and they also produced a high grade endmatched flooring. He hoped that some*one in New Zealand would take up this work of end-matched flooring. Also, the sorting tables used in. Sweden might be used in New Zealand as well as the breast bench. Mr Dolamore answered several questions at the end of his address, and said that he would be pleased to answer any inquiries at any time. . In answer to one question, ne said that in America there was a tendency to put the mill in the towns and cities and to haul the logs to it. He thought the days of men living in the bush were over. He did not think it could be avoided. Bushmen earned high wages in America, said Mr Dolamore in answer to a question about wages and the cost of living. On Vancouver Island bushmen earned 14 dollars a day—about £4—• and considered they were underpaid. The cost of production there was cheaper than it was in New Zealand because of the many mechanical devices used.