Timberrr! A Visit to the Downs

To most people, the logging industry is represented by huge trucks which pound their way along our roads, often delaying traffic. Where do the logs come from and where are they bound? The industry is worth millions of dollars annually to Nelson and district. Timber, once almost entirely used for building, has numerous by-products and Nelson is contributing to the nation's wealth by supplying both logs and wood chips to overseas countries, particularly Japan. With Cable Price representative Darryl Marshall we took a visit to Golden Downs, a major source of export timber.

A tall tree takes the first step on its way to Japan. Standing back watching his victim crash down is Alan (Mookie) Mant

Trees stand straight and true. It took many years to get them this way but it takes only a few minutes to cut them down. Reforestation plays an important part in the timber industry

Alan Mant shows how it's done

Hopping aboard a Tree Farmer is Butch Beveridge

This log skidder, the Tree Farmer, is worth $30,000 and for that much it should be able to drag those giant logs around

The powerful Allis Chalmers 545 loader makes light work of these logs. This machine is worth $17,000

Big machinery, big trees. The wheel of the Tree Farmer log- skidder indicates the size of the gear which must be used in the industry

Once felled, logs must be cut into lengths suitable for trucking. Leo Nesbit operates the chain saw

A small tree for the chip plant at Richmond is trimmed by Vern Tuck

Members of the Kotua gang have a spell. They've earned it too. From left: Sam, Roly, Graham, John, Leo, Tag and Nookie (back to camera). Pretty shy mob — wouldn't tell us their surnames

The final stage of the journey from New Zealand — logs being loaded at Port Nelson

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The Nelson Photo News

No 131 : September 18, 1971

Timberrr! A Visit to the Downs