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Nelson is well known for many of its products, not the least of which is its pinus timber, The climate here is particularly suitable for this species and growth is more rapid here than in most parts of New Zealand. But as each year passes it is becoming increasingly difficult for millers to find more land for timber blocks. This problem is being overcome by H. E. Baigent and Sons by the simple expedient of mechanising the timber milling to the stage where timber production can keep pace with tree growth and the land utilised over and over again. At Wakefield, the company has Just finished the first stage of what will, upon completion, be the most modern timber mill in the South Island and one of the most up-to-date in the country. The whole timber milling procedure, from the time the logs arrive at the mill, until they leave it as rough-sawn planks, has been mechanised. At this stage, the larger logs will be sawn. Ultimately it will produce 30,000 super feet of timber a day, compared with the usual mill figure of between 6000 and 8000 ft. The above picture shows the mill as it is today. It stands in 34 acres of land which will later be used for extensions and stacking grounds.

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The logs arrive at the loading ramp and are snigged on to the endless chain which will carry them into the mill.

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They then drop down to another conveyor chain which takes them through the twin trimming saws.

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Two different views of the logs being trimmed.

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Les Johnston, mill saw doctor, replacing the 17 saws used in the breaking down saw machine.

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A modern saw sharpener, adjustable to less than a hair's breadth, quickly puts an edge on the big circular saw

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The breaking-down machine cuts the logs into the planks of required thickness

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At the end of the process all planks pass through special wash

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The planks emerge and next pass through a final trimming process

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Waste sawdust and slabs go by conveyor belt to the dump fire

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Fred Quaife, with a load on board prepares to move off

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The mill staff, Sandy Walker, Phil Amberger, Fred Johnston Pete Marshall, Cyril Ridele, Leo Inwood, Noel Jarrett (mgr), Kelly Te Hana, John Kelly, and Paul Bryant.

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A fire burns constantly, disposing of the rubbish