C—3

The experimental pressure cylinder was brought into operation in July, and 145 charges were treated during the year. A commercial pressure treating plant is now being installed, and with the information obtained from the experimental plant it is hoped that full-scale production will be possible immediately the main plant is ready. 2. Hanmer. —This plant again operated well below capacity, the reason being insufficient labour to cut an adequate supply of round produce for seasoning*. Production details are shown in the following schedule :

Relevant figures for sales and stocks on hand for the same five-year period are as. follows :

3. Conical Hill. —Owing to the unsatisfactory condition of this plant, no new material was delivered for seasoning and subsequent treatment, operations being confined to treatment of seasoned stocks on hand. During sixty-seven days' operation the plant treated 2,100 posts, strainers, &c., 36 poles, and 34,600 board feet of timber,, a total of 7,100 cubic feet of produce, with a consumption of 5,876 gallons of creosote. All produce treated is being used by the Forest Service ; and treated stocks at the end of the year consisted of 29,000 posts, strainers, &c., and 500 poles. National Sawmill and Pulp and Paper Project During April-May, 194.8, two representatives of the Rust Engineering Co., of" Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, which firm had been engaged by the Government to report upon the economic and engineering aspects of an integrated pulp and paper projectat Murupara, visited New Zealand to critically examine the proposed plant sites, to gather data, and generally to familiarize themselves with local conditions. Owing to unforeseen delays, the Rust Engineering Co.'s report was not received until just afterthe end of the year. For the design of the large sawmill to be intergrated with the pulp and paper mill the Government engaged the services of Mr. W. H. Rambo, Industrial Plant Engineer,, of Portland, Oregon, who is widely regarded as the foremost sawmill consultant in North America at the present time. During the year, two senior officers of the

44

Year Ending 31st March, Posts, &c. Poles. Miscellaneous. Total Volume Creosoted. Creosote Used. Cu. ft. Number. Number. Cu. ft. (Approx.) Gallons. 1945 500 2,100 12,000 8,000 1946 2,000 2,000 ioo 14,600 11,500 1947 100 800 400 1948 *700 1,100 1,300 12,400 6,000 1949 2,800 1,300 600 7,100 3,800

Year Ending 31st March, Sales or Transfers. I Stocks on Hand at 31st March. Posts, &c. Poles. Treated Posts. Untreated Posts. Treated Poles. Untreated Poles. Number. Number. Number. Number. Number. Number. 1945 1,000 3,000 6,900 2,000 2,200 2,100 1946 1,900 2,100 7,000 2,100 100 1947 2,000 800 4,900 1,400 700' 1948 2,600 1,500 3,100 2^600 900 1,300 1949 4,500 900 1,500 16,900 1,300 1,900