PINUS INSIGNIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23319, 1 October 1945, Page 2

PINUS INSIGNIS

Use In State Houses (IT.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. Widely regarded as unsuitable for buildings, pinus insignis timber has been used in the construction of State houses in New Zealand. It has been used as an experiment at a time when the authorities regard the production of native timber as insufficient to meet the demands of the large building programme, and when the use of alternative timber must be examined. The timber has been used in State Houses ip Hutt Valley, Auckland, Hamilton, and Christchurch. Pinus insignis was used for the construction of six houses in the Hutt Valley. In five cases it was limited to the interior framing only, and in the sixth house it Was used for both the interior and exterior framing. The timber was kiln-dried, which is a fairly expensive process. In Auckland the timber was also kiln-dried, and was used in prefabricated wall panels and roof trusses. In one house it was used in the roof. In Hamilton the timber was used for a similar purpose, but was treated with preservative to increase its durability. At Christchurch the timber is being used in the construction of a doubleunit house for the framework about the floor level. The timber is unseasoned and untreated.