H.—24,

140

[F. W. PETRE;

of the timber : pressure-caps were put on the end. That has been abandoned :it was too expensive. Then the next move was a pressure bath in which the timber was packed, and the creosote forced in by a force-pump ; that is obsolete now. 53. Do you know what timber has been used in the house in Stuart Street, opposite the Wesleyan Church? I was in one'of these houses nearly forty years ago, and it appears to be in as good condition to-day?— There is a large house there, but it has been repaired a good lot. 54. They were getting a rental in those days of £1 10s. per week, so it must have been a good investment?— But the £1 10s. for this class of house is gone. 55. I think you answered the difference between a brick house and a wooden one? —From 12 to 14 per cent, in a plain building. 56. Mr. Field.] You have been a leading architect here?—l have been a long time in practice. 57. Do you come here to voice their opinion?—l was asked to do so. Of course, I have given you my own views also. It was more confined to the inadvisabilitv- of an import duty on foreign timbers and an export duty on kauri. We are all agreed that to prevent foreign timbers coming into New Zealand is a mistake, and that something should be done to prevent the exporting of kauri. These are two points we are agreed upon. 58. Now, you said the cost of a four-roomed cottage had gone up in Dunedin from £250 to £300 or £400?— Yes, from £250 to £260. I had in my mind certain cottages. 59. How many feet of timber would there be in those cottages?— They vary. I suppose, taking the timber all round, in a cottage of that size there would be 6,000 ft. of timber in it. 60. The timber in that case is only about £30?— Yes, from £30 to £50; but that does not include the joinery. The quantity of timber and joinery is comparatively small in proportion to the cost. 61. What proportion does the timber bear to the whole cost of the cottage —what fraction of the total cost including the joinery?—l should say that it is perhaps from a quarter to as much as three-fifths. 62. I thought Dunedin was a fairly cheap place, and that materials were much cheaper than in other places?—lt is the cheapest building-place of the four cities. 63. Would you be surprised to know that I had a five-roomed cottage built with 7 ft. verandah, double chimney, bathroom, scullery, and outhouses for £250?— Yes, in Wellington. I have always been impressed with the cost of buildings in Wellington as compared with the other cities. You must have had some favourable circumstances. 64. What do you think is the increased price of undressed timber in the last ten years?—lt got to Bs. about twelve or fourteen years ago. It rose then gradually about 6d. a time, till it stood at 11s. 6d., and then went up to 12s. 6d. and 13s. 6d. 65. Then the evidence we had that it had increased 2s. in ten years is about right?— Yes. 66. That would mean that in a house containing 5,000 ft. of timber the increase would only be £s?—Yes. 67. What do you think has been the increase in the cost, so far as the timber is concerned, in dressed and undressed?— Labour, mostly. 68. In a house containing 5,000 ft. of timber the cost has gone up £5 in undressed: what has dressed timber gone up?—lt is hard to say, because the joinery is a largo part of the labour. A. builder could tell you that. In my contracts each item included everything such as waste, labour, and contingencies of all sorts. One does not trouble to cut out the different items. 69. Now, in regard to Oregon pine, did you notice in last night's paper there was a ship here with 4,000,000 ft. of timber on it ?—I was told that was so. 70. That indicates that Oregon pine is coming in hei-e in fairly large quantities?—lt will, I dare say, providing it is not throttled. It will come in for some years, but we cannot look to them for the real trade because the Americans will want all they have got; they will be running short of timber very soon themselves. 71. Do you think Oregon pine is likely to go up in price because the Americans will want it themselves? —I think so, in the very near future. 72. Are you aware it is being used in the northern part of the Dominion for outside work? —I have heard it has been used for flooring and weatherboarding. It is a very good timber for weatherboarding, but very poor for flooring. 73. You have heard it has been used for framing?— Yes, I have heard so. 74. And that means, practically that the whole building can be made of Oregon pine?— Yes. 75. Do you think it is fair that timber from a foreign country should be brought in here to compete with our timber—it is, of course, competing with our timber?— Yes. 76. Do you think any disaster is likely to result?—No, no disaster whatever. 77. I understand you to say that you are in favour of conserving our timber? Yes. 78. Supposing you are the owner of 500 acres covered with timber, and you cannot mill it profitably because the people are building their houses of Oregon pine, what are you going to do with it—is there any option open to you?— No. I should suffer for the good of'the country. I should be a bit of a martyr. 79. What form would your martyrdom take?— Seeing my forests there unutilised. 80. What about the mortgagee?—He would be another martyr. 81. Do you not think he would probably sell it for what it would fetch?—He may. 82. And then if it got into the hands of a person not like yourself he would cut the timber down and put it m grass ?—I do not know. If it was good timber country it would not pay him to put it in grass. 83. But it is being done every day?—l think the best timber is taken our first. 84. Oh, no?— Well, I think they are very wasteful people. 85. What else is there for him to do?—lf he cuts it down he utilises the ground, and he becomes a farmer at great cost to himself.