53

H.—24.

F. L. VICKERY.]

well figured. It is a very pretty and very valuable timber. In fact, in any part of the world you would not find a better timber in appearance. 12. Do you not think we should have full liberty to import Oregon, not altogether from the effect it would have on the sawmiller, but with a view to conserving the Dominion's interests and use of its own natural products? Should we not do all we can in that direction by using foreign timber where we can get it at the same or a lesser rate? —I think so. Of course, we must take into consideration our industry a little, but I think it would be wise to import Oregon and conserve the red-pine, as it is getting very scarce; and if building goes on at the rate we had during the last two or three years the local millers will not be able to supply us except they stick on a high price and go further for it. I think it is essential to the building trade of the colony to import Oregon. 13. With regard to the so-called injury to our interests, do you think this generation has a right to use up all the timber without any consideration for the future? —No, I think we should look to the future. 14. Do you not think it would be wise to protect the sawmillers against themselves by not allowing them to destroy the industry within the next thirty-five years? —I think it would be a wise thing to conserve some forests for the future, and not allow the whole of them to be cut out. 15. Would you bo in favour of a policy which would insure replanting on some scientific and systematic plan?— What would you replant? 16. I am not saying what to plant, but that would be a matter to be decided by those competent to determine. Would you be in favour of taking immediate action to secure a constant and permanent supply of timber for this Dominion and within the Dominion itself?—l would. 17. Mr. Morris.] Have you had any experience of the conversion of logs into sawn timber? - -No ; I have seen it. But my opinion is that if Oregon was imported free in bulk or junk it would keep the labour in the country. 18. Then, of course, you have no idea as to whether our native timber would answer for the purpose Mr. Clark is anxious to conserve this timber for?— No. 19. I am leading up to this question : What is the sawmiller to do with the whole of the timber that comes out of the log if you want to restrict him to the sale of stuff fit for dressing purposes only?— Well, the sap-wood is wanted sometimes for inside work, and it sometimes makes very good moulding, but would not do for polished work. 20. You should know that the cleanest part of the timber is next to the bark? —Yes, and the sappiest, too. 21. What percentage would turn out marketable for present purposes off of a log?— Well, I suppose it depends on the kind of log. You get hold of some that would produce more than others. I suppose you would get about 50 per cent, out of a good log. 22. You would be lucky to get 50 per cent, altogether?—Kun it into mouldings—the sapwood. 23. I think about 30 per cent, is as much as you would be able to 'work up. Then, what are you going to do with the balance?— There is a great demand for second-class timber at the present time from the farmers, and the millers get good prices for it. The farmers prefer second-class stuff. 24. You admit that we have to sell it somewhere? We cannot cut the outside off the trees and leave the rest?— The sawmillers will find some means of selling it. 25. Some members of the Commission were advocating the use of rimu for inside work : that is the only place you can dispose of the rough timber of the rimu. It is all contained in the centre of the tree, and is the best timber for bottom plates?— The timber used here for that purpose is totara or black-pine. 26. You made considerable reference to the difference in price now and some years ago. Do you think the Sawmillers' Association in this district is responsible for the rise in price?—lt is to a certain extent. 27. Why not buy from a man not concerned with the association?—l am told that a good many not in the association are under the association. 28. Then, they are in the association? —No, but the association members buy their output, and in a good many cases they are men of small means and are anxious for the cash. I have heard of such being the case, but, of course, 1 do not know for a fact whether it is true or not. 29. Is not the usual experience that when trade slackens prices come down?— But the timberis not coming down. 30. Is it not evident that it cannot come down much more and leave any margin of profit for the man working it? —I suppose they have got some reasons on their side, but on.the other side, if it were to come down, it would increase our building trade. . 31. After the evidence that we got from Mr. Wilson as to the improved quality of the buildings in recent years, do you attribute the cause to the increase in the price of timber? —Not altogether. The price of bricks has gone up, and also of labour. In addition ironmongery has slightly gone up. 32. Is it not very largely due to the fact of the increased conveniences put into houses built to-day as compared with ten or twelve years ago?— There is something in that. Houses now have hot and cold water, wash-tubs, and under the sanitary by-laws of the town we have to put in inspection-chambers. . All these, things add to the cost of a building. Of course, it is much better for the owner and occupier, but it adds to the cost. 33. Then, this bogey that is put forward that the increased cost of buildings is due to the increased cost of the timber is not quite true?— Not altogether, that stands to reason. 34. Is it not more largely due to the improved style of the buildings?— But the cost of the timber is the biggest item.