Fiji Timber

Important Concession on Vanua Levu

IN the search for good timber, which has been going on in the Pacific Islands during the past two or three years, a win seems to have been recorded by Mr. P, J. Turner who, it is announced in the “Fiji Times”, has secured a con cession of 20,000 acres of timber country between Natewa Bay and Buca Bay, in the large, undeveloped and partly un known island of Vanua Levu.

Mr. T. A. Drysdale, who represents important plywood interests in Melbourne, recently visited the area and has brought to Australia some Kauri logs, and a few specimens of Vesi. This is called a trial shipment, but everyone seems satisfied that the Kauri of the newly-discovered timber area will be admirably suited for plywood manufacture.

Mr. Drysdale stated that, at first glance, it appeared that the timber on the low hills at the back of the bay re ferred to was difficult of access; but ac tually. with suitable plant, it was easy to get the timber from its location to the waterfront. He expressed the opin ion that there was at least 2,000,000 ft. available within 300 yards of the water, and very large quantities behind that.

There was a large quantity of Kauri, a large quantity of very big timber in ad dition to the Kauri, and a great deal of secondary timber. The climatic con ditions were favourable to logging, and there were plenty of natural assets in the shape of waterways, and land suit able for a mill.

For ten years, the “Pacific Islands Monthly” and the “Pacific Islands Year Book" have been directing attention to the magnificent timber resources of various Pacific Islands, and the great and valuable timber reserves of Fiji have been especially mentioned. The timber position in Australia and New Zealand has greatly altered during the last two decades, and the men who have had suf ficient vision to get in early and secure Islands timber concessions are almost cer tain to make fortunes.