OREGON TIMBER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14275, 16 August 1910, Page 6

OREGON TIMBER.

NOW OUT OF THE MAISKET. 'A from Auckland to tha Wellington "Post" -.:,vr.:— •A surprising statement in regard to the importation o! Itreeon Invib.-'i" to Auckland was, made in Parliament the other nay by'.Mr T. E. V. Scdd.-m. M.i". He said that the .steamer Confurv. which recently called at Auckland brought 3..j1)0,()0()t't. of Oregon,' and that the West Coast sawniiller< were calling upon the Goveiainient to increase the duty on the foreign timber, in order to protect the local market. Enquiries made from the local timber merchants elicited the fact that the steamer Century did not land any timber at Auckland, and that the only timber that she brought to New Zealand were some plaster laths for Chri.stchurch, but she took a largo quantity of Oregon limber to Australia. It is supposed that this was responsible for Mr Seddoirs statement, It is stated that no great quantity of Oregon is now coming to Auckland, and that, what is coming is not for ordinary building, but only for special purposes, such as those in which long lengths, unobtainable in local timbers, arc required. A builder who was seen on the subject said that he believed some important jobs would have been stopped were it not for the fact that the special sizes of Oregon were available for particular purposes. It was stated that the price of Oregon in America has lately increased appreciably, and that, therefore, it cannot now be brought in to any large extent. Its landed cost makes it equal to the eost of rough heart or medium kauri, for which timbers it is sometimes substituted. A large quantity of rimn however, is now being brought in from the King Country, and this it is stated, is sold from 2s to 3s Od loss than the cost at which the. Oregon can be landed. Therefore, it is profitable to use the local rimn than the imported article for purposes for which" both are suitable.