THE TIMBER MISSION.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12501, 30 March 1909, Page 4

THE TIMBER MISSION.

. z [United Pbess Invercargill, March 29. At the sitting of the Timber Commission to-day, Mr W. H. Brent, sawmiller. stated the trade was suffering "mostly from the present depression, but the importations of Oregon pine accentuated matters. Wages had oreased- during recent years, and timber had to be procured further back in the country. _ Six years ; ago his compariv laid a tramway down at a cost of £1200, and owing to the bush being now inaccessible they had to give it up, and the tramway was not worth half, a crown. Some of the finest, bush in Southland had been destroyed, because it was too far from a railway to be milled. The cost of production in hilly as compared with level country was fully, two shillings per 100 fe^t more: '"-Last year Southland produced 27 million feet of timber, being two million feet less -than the /production' of 1904, although the number of sawmills had .increased. Oregon pine was lighter, but more durable than red pine. Oregonv pine could bo landed at' Dunedin at 10s 6d per 100 feet. - Ho thought the duty might be increased on the small pieces of Oregon -timber, and lightened > on the large pieces, as the latter sizes Were not produced here. .Andrew Bain, the president of the Builders', Association^ stated that the rise in the -price of timber had made :a r di#ereric<v/of at least £50 or £60 in the cost of a four or -five-roomed cottage. During the last _ ten years -rough rimu timber had risen in price from 3s 9d tb. 10s' 6d per 1Q0" feet. Builders got Oregon pine ." seasoned, arid it was impossible to get red pine not green, also tho Oregon timber was more durable. Tlio builders stoiitly imposed any increase on Oregon pine. He contended the vSawmillors' ' Association had boen formed to raise the prices of timber, and had done so. -Two other witnesses were examined.