WAIMARINO.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12857, 19 December 1912, Page 6

WAIMARINO.

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY

The Powell Process Company at Rangataua 'is utilising a vast a^i'int of birch timl>er, which is being cut into blocks and treated at the works. The blocks aro to be utilised for wood paving, and the company's mill land works are kept busily engaged. There is a very largo area of .birch forest to draw supplies from, as it extends a long distance eastward of the railway. The country ja level, and no great difficulty is experienced in regard to tramlines, 'etc. The process works are si7;oplied by the company's mills, •iom which the sawn timber is conveyed over a steel tramline by a powerful locomotive. The process works are kept going continually, and men are employed on day shifts and night shifts-. The activity being displayed at present suggests that there is a good demand for the Powellisod timber. A feature of this .big firm's operations is that it is using up a timber which has hitherto been regarded as not worth the trouble of felling and cutting. The birch areas extend lip to the foothills of Mount Ruapehu, and it will be a good many years before the supply is exhausted.

The Rangataua Timl>er Company's mill is keeping up a steady output, and for a single-bench mill, it is generally acknowledged to bo one of the best in existence in Waimarino district. Perham and iLansen's and Bennett and Punch's mills have been in constant motion for some time past, but as tho mf?l hands at- the former mill are due for their annual holidays, operations have been suspended until after the New Year. Overtime bias been worked at most of tho mills for several weeks past, and lit is expected tbat all nrgeM orders will be cut by the time the mills all close down for the holidays.

An average of about 30 trucks of timber per day has (been railed from Rangataua during tho passt month. A shunting engine is kept constantly employed making up the trains and shunting rakes of "empties" into tho sidings. -Lost Thursday 36 "empties" vvero distributed amongst the millers railing timber from Rangataua. All tho trains for the south are heavily loaded with timber, and tho trains from the south bring in long rakes of empties, which are distributed among all tho sawlriiltens between Taibape and Ohakune. The prosperity of the industry is having; a marked effect on businesss at Rangatnua, where a movement .is on foot for the establishment of a town board.