21

C— 3.

The trend of regional timber-production for the period 1886 to 1928 is shown in the accompanying graph. Auckland and Rotorua Regions, combined with Gisborne (i.e., Auckland Province), maintained the premier position, although decreasing 11 -9 per cent, in cut compared with 1927. The positions of the other provinces remained the same as last year, but it is to be noted that Wellington again decreased proportionately more than the other major provinces, and that Southland now almost rivals it in timber-production. The latter province, indeed, produced more timber than during the boom year .1926 ; but this factor denotes a building-up of stock rather than any increase in sales. With the exception of insignis pine, which reported a slight increase, the production of all species for the year ended 31st March, 1928, was less than that for the preceding period. Rimu again reported the largest absolute decrease, amounting to 15 million feet b.m., although this amounted to only an 8-per-cent. decrease in the cut of the species. The largest proportional decrease was in totara, with a reduced cut of 3J million feet b.m., or 25 per cent, of its previous production. The average f.o.r. mill value per 100 ft. b.m. (all species) for the year ended 31st March, 1928, was 18s., compared with 19s. 2d. for the preceding year, and represents a decrease in value of over 2s. per 100 ft. b.m. on 1921-25 returns. 2. Manufacturing Technique. In the field of logging and sawing', manufacturing technique showed little improvement. Accumulated stocks from .previous years of over-production, the necessity for curtailing current production, and the prevalence of price-cutting have all combined to curtail monetary returns to the millers, with a consequent lack of capital available for improved machinery or equipment. Methods of conditioning and merchandizing timber, however, continue to steadily improve. Millers are appreciative of the air-seasoning practices recommended by the Service, and their keen interest is apparent in the manner in which they have allowed the Service to carry out air-seasoning studies at their mills and to erect model piles. Insanitary yards, poor drainage, and low foundations still remain, and represent the most serious defects in the present methods of seasoning timber. Further progress has been made in artificial seasoning, and an operator who installed the only modern scientifically controlled kiln in New Zealand expresses complete satisfaction with the results obtained, as a steady increase in trade has resulted. Marketing of timber was also investigated, and grading and classification rules were developed to improve the standard and conditions under which native timbers are cut and marketed. It is considered that these new rules will place native timbers in more equal competition with the imported product. 3. Exports. The export trade in timber for the year ended 31st December, 1928, was the lowest since statistics have been collected, and in totalling only 35,029,000 ft. b.m., valued at £377,480, represented a decrease in quantity of approximately 2 million feet b.m. and in value of £49,000 compared with the preceding year. In accordance with decreased exports and overstocked yards, competition for orders was keener, and all-round decreases in values were reported.

TABLE 12. Exports of Sawn Timber and other Forest-produce. (From information supplied by the Comptroller of Customs. All figures refer to the years ended 31st December, 1926-28.)

Only 1,670,000 ft. b.m. of kauri, valued, at 425. 9d. per 100 ft. b.m., Was exported during the year, compared with 2,476,000 ft. b.m., valued at 465. Id. per 100 ft. b.m., during the previous year. The high price of this species debars it from any but special and luxury uses, and no considerable trade in the species can be expected.

1926. | 1927. 1928. It em . j —i j —: : 7 —i - Quantity. Value. Quantity. j Value. Quantity. j Value. ~ r j r j Ft. b.m. £ | Ft. b.m. £ Ft. b.m. £ White-pine . . .. 31,768,000 356,860 1 27,802,000 289,980 25,439,000 262,390 Rimu .. .. .. 4,008,000 35,840 3,841,000 | 36,180 4,867,000 42,290 Beech .. .. .. 2,393,000 33,100 2,581,000 I 37,330 2,246,000 29,780 Kauri .. .. .. ! 1,987,000 46,320 2,476,000 57,090 1,670,000 35,700 Other (New Zealand) .. ' 310,000 3,510 i 464,000 4,870 750,000 6,850 Other (foreign) .. .. 1,488,000 14,620 j 17,000 j 480 57,000 470 Totals .. .. 41,954,000 490,250 j 37,181,000 ! 425,930 35,029,000 377,480 Tons. j £ 1 Tons. £ Tons. £ Kauri-gum .. .. 4,877 • 332,770 4,674 298,630 4,394 240,140 Tanning-bark . . .. 99 j 1,130 38 650 43 580 Fungus .. .. .. 87 | 11,250 : 141 20,310 12 1,270