TAUPO TOTARA TIMBER COMPANY.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIX, Issue 2979, 12 September 1905, Page 4

TAUPO TOTARA TIMBER COMPANY.

AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY. { Concludi'd.) Onk of the most interesting exhibitions is that given by the steam hauler, with which tho logs are drawn from the bush. It has three cylinders, two of which are used for drawing logs from either side and the third for lifting thorn bodily on to the trucks. Tho work is done so quickly and easily that one can scarcely imagine that tons and tons are being handled without the slightest trouble or inconvenience. The engine will haul logs from the bush on either side over almost any country for a distance of ten chains. With a single purchase it is equal to 20 tons, but by using the double purchase its power is easily increased. A similar, but more powerful, hauler is being fitted up, and this will operate in another portion of the bush. These machines entirely do away with jacking and its attendant dangers to life and limb, besides doing tho work of loading in a fraction of the time. Four locomotives are in use on the line—two Hoislers, one Climax, and one smaller, direct coupled. Ono of the Hcisiera is in dock at the present time, but the other is doing service in running timber through to I’utaruru. She is exceedingly powerful, and will draw 100 tons over the steep grades referred to in the first part of this article. About 200,000 test were sent down the 'first week, and tho quantity will be gradually increased until the maximum haulage quantity is reached. The mill is fitted with electric light to enable shifts to be worked if necessary. There is also afire pump and an organised lire brigade in case of an outbreak, while watchmen are going night and day in order to, if possible, prevent such an occurrence. The aim of the company is to ultimately produce twenty million feet a year, and judging by their elaborate plant and facilities tor getting in logs from the bush, they should have no difficulty in doing so. High wages are paid to energetic men, and no arbitration award is necessary as the amount paid exceeds considerably that enforced by tho Court. The country, though poor, contains a great deal of flax, minerals of various descriptions, hot springs and geysers, while splendid fishing can be obtained in the Waikato river, so that there should bo great possibilities ahead in the near future. The settlement is built in a flat which is very limited in area, and the company has already taken steps with regard to sanitation. An accommodation house is sadly required for travellers, although the company at the present time dispense hospitality with a liberal hand to all and sundry. Tho butcher is the only private individual in business there, tho store and tho cookhouses where the men are fed being in the hands of the syndicate. Those are run with the view of making life as comfortable as possible for the men, rather than as money-making concerns, and everything is cut to the lowest figure. It is their intention to erect at an early date a large hall, billiard-room and library, which will, no doubt, have the effect of brightening tho lives of those who, just now, find time hang somewhat heavily in the evenings. Right in the heart of the settlement is the football ground on which the cap matches were played this year. Three teams were entered, mill hands, bush hands and Maoris, and victory rested with the first-named team. Many of the players are firstclass exponents of the game, culled from Auckland, Wairoa, Rotorua, and other teams, and a “ rep ” team from Mokai would, we venture to say, startle some of tho older teams in Waikato and elsewhere. The only other diversion appears to be a dance, which is held in the cookhouse every Saturday night. The fair sex is in the minority, and their only cause of complaint is, perhaps, an overdose of partners. However, families are constantly arriving, and the bachelors are looking forward to better times in the days to come. Is is already known, the company has purchased Wairakei, which is situated only eight or ten miles distant, and, judging from the present extensions, everything points to the intention to connect this favourite resort by line in the near future ; but this is a subject upon which the manager is inclined to be reticent. It is evident, therefore, that the syndicate do not intend to rely solely upon timber for a return of the great amount of capital invested. It is, we understand, more than probable that before many months are past another lino will bo commenced from i'utaruni to Waotu, to tap another buah there. The Government might well follow the example of the company in the construction of the Main Trunk Line ; twenty-six miles a year is not a bad average, and though the rails are somewhat lighter than those used by the Government, tho extra number of sleepers employed (about one-third more) it is claimed, make the line just as reliable for heavy loads and fast travelling as the Departmental railways. If the company had carried out their line at tho same rate as the Main Trunk Lino is being constructed, they would assuredly have had to wait a long time for a return of their money.