THE PRICE OF TIMBER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160796, 2 November 1920, Page 3

THE PRICE OF TIMBER.

ANOTHER RISE IN SOUTH. 20 PER CENT.”IN SIX MONTHS. CHEAPER HOUSES FAR OFF. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 30. There has been another rise in the cost of building timber, and the dav of cheaper houses seems further off than ever. The latest quotation list, inspected to-day, shows that merchants have put another 1/- on every 100 sup. feet of ordinary timber, 1/3 on halfinch lining, 1/3 on flooring, 1/9 on T. and G. lining, and 1/- on selected timber. This, according to one builder, makes a 20 per cent, increase in the past six months and well over 100 per cent, since 1911. “I see no chance whatever of reducing the cost of building houses,” said the /builder. ‘‘A house which cost £750 to erect six years ago, now means an expenditure of between £I3OO and £I6OO, according to location.” A striking ‘ example of the increases in. timber was given by a contractor who furnished details as follows regarding an estimate for 100 links of fencing (rimu rails, black pine posts, and lialf-iach red pine boards)On June 18 last he contracted to do the job for £ll 10s, on October 14 for £l3 14s, and on October 22 for £l4 2s.