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log scaler
DCHP-2 (Jul 2013)
Spelling variants:scaler
n. — Forestry, especially British Columbia
an occupation in the lumber industry of someone who measures cut logs to estimate the amount of lumber each log can produce (see Image 1).
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — Though the occupation of log scaler is not unique to Canada (see Chart 1), it bears special significance in relation to Canada's long economic dependence on forestry. The term is most frequent in British Columbia (see Chart 2).
See also COD-2, s.v. "log scaler", which is marked "Cdn", and OED-3, s.v. "scaler" (n.3 (2), which is marked "Lumber-trade", DAE, s.v. "scaler" (1), which is marked "Lumbering", DA, s.v. "scale" (v., 2), which is marked "Lumbering", W-3, s.v. "scaler" (2a).
See also COD-2, s.v. "log scaler", which is marked "Cdn", and OED-3, s.v. "scaler" (n.3 (2), which is marked "Lumber-trade", DAE, s.v. "scaler" (1), which is marked "Lumbering", DA, s.v. "scale" (v., 2), which is marked "Lumbering", W-3, s.v. "scaler" (2a).
Quotations
1895
J. W. Bell, foreman of A. Haslam's sawmill and factory, has been notified of his appointment as official log scaler for Vancouver Island. So far Mr. Bell has received no further instructions.
1903
A farmer was down from Fire Valley, a miner from the Silver King, a hotelkeeper and farmer from Creston, a log scaler from Salmo, a lawyer from Ymir, a ranchman from Willow Point, a merchant from Trail, a prospector from Hall siding, and a sprinkling of miners, ranchmen, and prospectors from other places.
1907
A FIRST-CLASS LOG SCALER OR lumber inspector wants position in Ontario; used to hard and soft woods best of references. Apply to Box 440, Globe.
1936
On the Coast, official scalers are now charged with the work of grading logs under the provision of the "Forest Act" . . . an Official Scaler holds the balance between logger and manufacturer.
1950
Government log scaler John W. McDonald who was in command of the provincial forestry launch A. L. Bryant at the time of the crash, drew "severe censure" for his default.
1963
All timber cut for commercial use in British Columbia must be "scaled" (measured for wood volume) immediately by an official or licensed scaler. From the "scale" is determined the amount of tax "stumpage" or "royalty" to be paid to the Government. The official scale of timber in British Columbia is recorded in cubic measure.
1977
After his marriage Bigg underwent job-training in Vancouver in log-scaling. He has lived continuously ever since on the Sunshine Coast as a log scaler employed by Gorret Log Services.
1983
Both sides continue to bargain, with the threat of a mid-November walkout by 200,000 other public sector workers hanging over them. Already there have been ripple effects; members of the International Woodworkers of America respected picket lines set up at several sawmills by striking Forests Ministry log scalers.
1992
Steve Osborne, a 24-year-old log scaler from Ketchikan, has travelled at least eight times to Smithers over the past 10 years.
2000
\"We had seen a cabin earlier that day. We hiked around the beach for a couple of hours until we got there,\" said Balle, who is studying to be a log scaler.
References
- DA
- OED-3
- W-3
- COD-2
- DAE
Images
Image 1: A log scaler measuring a log. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Photo: Rvannatta
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 15 Aug. 2012
