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IG7. Considering that Oregon is taking the place of kauri, which is difficult to get, do you think it fair that Oregon should be kept out and that those who are erecting buildings should be penalised to that extent? —We do not sell it. As a timber-merchant I believe in buying as cheap as I can—l would rather use Oregon than kauri; as a private individual I would keep it out. 168. Do you think it fair that any one who wants to erect a building should be penalised i o the extent I have indicated either through the expenditure of capital, if he builds the house for himself, or in rent if he is a tenant, by keeping Oregon out?—lt is not fair. 169. Mr. Ell.] You said you thought that brick buildings coming into competition with wooden buildings would act as a check on the price of timber? —1 think brick would act as a check. 170. Would the use of briok for building purposes lessen the demand for timber? —Yes. 171. Are you aware that, notwithstanding the introduction of steel, cement, brick, and stone, and all other substitutes in place of timber, the demand for timber is greater in the world to-day than it has ever been before?—l can only suppose that there is more building going on. 172. Mr. Barber.] A far greater demand than ever in the history of the world?— There is more building going on. 173. What kind of timber do you use?— Red-pine principally. 174. For building purposes?— Yes. 178. With regard to the manufacturing branch?— The bulk would be red-pine and kauri. 176. For what purpose do you use red-pine in manufacturing?—ln making casings for window-frames, wardrobes, &c. 177. You manufacture furniture?—No; but in every house there is nearly always a wardrobe. 178. How do you find the rimu serves you as a finishing-timber? —For finishing I prefer figured red-pine; I think it is most durable and ornamental. 179. Is there any imported timber equal in beauty with red-pine for finishing-work, at the same price?—l do not think so. 180. There is no imported timber likely to compete with rimu for such purposes?— No. 181. Seeing that this timber is a product of the country, and that we require it not only for finishing but for furniture-manufacture, do you think it is desirable to have some set aside for the future?— That is a matter of sentiment. If I had a timber bush I would cut it as quickly as I could. 182. And leave the country to import all it wants?— Yes. LB3. Seeing that America now- is turning her attention to the conservation of her own forests for her own needs, and that different other countries are doing the same, do you not think it desirable to conserve our own timber for our own needs?—l suppose our own timber will be wanted —we cannot import everything. 184. Is it desirable that we should have reserves set aside for future woodworking industries? —It would be desirable certainly to preserve a certain proportion of our forests. 185. With regard to Oregon, you are in favour of a duty on Oregon, and yet you say it is absolutely necessary for certain building purposes —that you cannot readily get native timbers to take its place?— J said I would favour a duty simply as a means of giving employment to our own workers. 186. Supposing the sizes necessary for our work are imported free, and we place a duty on the smaller timber, so as to constrain the workers to do the sawing, would not that conserve the country better? —Of course, it all depends upon how much you put on. If it was not too big it would pay better to pay the duty than to cut'it up. 187. Mr. Stallworthy .] You would be in favour of putting obstacles in the way of the future being up to date?—l am in favour of the present. 188. Mr. Mander,] Do you find any difficulty in getting lengths up to 30ft. in red-pine?— It is difficult to get red-pine in those lengths. 189. Is there any other timber?— The only other timber in New Zealand is kauri. 190. Can you not get them in totara down here? —No: it is a very scarce timber. 191. Do you not think the duty should be taken off the long lengths only and kept on the smaller sizes, or increased on them?—lf the duty was taken off the long sizes that would have a tendency to stop the smaller from coming in. That would be a good idea. 192. Do you think that Oregon is likely to reduce the price of building-timber —rimu?—No, I think not. 193. You say that there should be an export duty put on kauri ?■—l do not know whether I did or not. 194. Do you think it would be fair for the Government to sell kauri to private individuals at 3s. per hundred, and expect private owners to hold their timber for an indefinite period?— As I stated, if I had bush I would cut it down straight away. 195. There are very big reserves of kauri timber? —Yes. 196. Would it not be wise for the Government to say that the timber should not be let out of New Zealand?—l do not think that there is a demand for all the kauri in New Zealand. 197. With regard to what the State holds at the present time, would it not be wise to say that it should be sold for consumption in New Zealand?— That would be a wise idea. 198. You are aware that there is already ss. duty on kauri logs exported and 3s. on flitches? —No, I was not aware of it. 199. Do you think that that is a sufficient handicap?—l think it is. 200. Are people likely to put Oregon into ordinary buildings at a cost of 19s. when they can buy rimu for 13s. ? —No.