H.—24.

696

[C. HUTTON.

pay 2s. for a sleeper in this country than 3s. 6d. for one that they get from Australia. Do you not think we should keep the money in this country and employ our own workers when the depression is making itself felt so keenly?—l certainly do. I dare say that the New Zealand sleeper would not last as long as the Australian hardwood sleepers, but it could be got a good deal cheaper, and I think the difference in the cost would make up for it. 85. Two of them would last as long as the Australian one?— Yes. And there is no telling how long the New Zealand sleeper would last if it were thoroughly tested. 86. Mr. Ell.] You are aware that in a few years there will not be very much forest left about Taihape, I suppose, in view of the way they are cutting it out?— Yes, it is disappearing. 87. You are aware that from any one of the high hilltops we visited while there, as far as the eye could reach, the timber has been cut out or burnt out I —A great deal has been burnt out. 88. You are aware that Bennett's mill lias now got men employed cutting down dead trees on a settler's land, and carting the logs into the mill to be cut?— Yes. 89. So there is no standing timber handy to the mill now?—l did not take particular notice what the timber was like around there. 90. How many acres are there in the bush that you are working? —Two hundred and sixty in the block. 91. How long will it take you to cut it out, going full swing?—We should have been cut out now. 92. Is there any hush in the immediate neighbourhood that is available?— Yes, we have 2,000 acres at the back. 93. What timber is standing on that land, principally?— White-pine. 94. What demand is there in New Zealand for white-pine, outside of butter-box requirements? —I could not say. 95. You are aware, of course, that white-pine is not used for building-purposes? —Yes. 96. Is it not a fact that it has been used almost entirely for boxes?—A good deal of it is used for that. I dare say that some goes into very cheap buildings. 97. But it is generally admitted that it is not a desirable building-timber?— Yes, I quite believe that. 98. Then, the chief uses to which white-pine is put are for boxmaking, and for export to Australia for a similar purpose?— Yes, I think so. 99. Is it not a fact that there is a, duty on white-pine in Australia ? I believe there is. 100. Has the export trade fallen off lately?—l could not say. 101. You know that you are not shipping so much away?— Our company practically use all their white-pine for their own factory. Ido not know whether they sell to the outside market or not. 102. So far as the 2,000 acres are concerned, the Oregon would not affect you, because the timber there is white-pine, and Oregon does not come into competition with white-pine?—No, but it affects our hardwood ; we cannot get rid of that, and I dare say the Oregon has a lot to do with it. 103. Do you mean your rough rimu?—Yes, and matai. 104. With regard to the question of unemployment, you must know that our New Zealand native forest cannot last us for very many more years —that is, in some districts? —Yes. 105. And you know that the present population of this country requires a large amount of timber annually? —Yes. 106. As we only have 9,400 acres planted, do you not think it would be a good thing for the Government to do much more planting for the future needs of the country? —Yes, I certainly do, provided it is on land that is not fit for settlement; and I think there is plenty of that to be had. 107. You know where we have thousands of acres of sand-covered country in New Zealand : trees might be planted there?— Yes, I should certainly advise that. 108. Do you know the country round about the Waiotapu district? —No. 109. Do you know any of the pumice country at all? Have you been there?— Yes, right through from Auckland to Raurimu. 110. There is a lot of poor country there?— Yes. 111. And it has been shown that pumice country will grow trees?— Yes. 112. Do you think it would be a good thing for the Government to put men on to plant trees, and thus find/employment for those wanting it?— Yes, I think it would be a good step. 113. With regard to the cost of living, what rent do you pay for a four-roomed house? —I am not paying rent now, but last year I was paying Bs. for three rooms in Ohotu, near Utiku. 114. What do you pay for firewood there? —I could not say; I have not bought firewood where I have been living. People in Taihape have to buy it. 115. What do they pay for it? —Ten or eleven shillings a cord, I believe. 116. That would compare favourably with about £3 a cord in town, would it not?— Yes. 117. What do you pay for a loaf of bread in the country?—Ninepence. 118. What do you pay for meat, all round?—l pay 7d. for beef, and I think it is 6d. for mutton. 119. What do you pay for butter? —At present I think it is Is. 3d. 120. How much for sugar?— Thirteen shillings and sixpence a 501b. bag. 121. At Taihape?—Yes, or at Utiku. 122. Mr. Arnold.] How long have you been in the milling industry?— Practically all my life. I have worked in Western Australian and South Australian mills. I have been nine years in New Zealand. 123. Do you know anything of the price of timber ten years ago?— No. 124. Can you explain why there was such a large increase in the price of timber between ten years ago and, say, twelve months ago? —I should say it was because the timber was a lot harder to get, and rougher country had to be worked. I never saw a log-hauling machine until I came to New Zealand.