NEWS BRilEFS

After some ups and downs earlier this year, new housing starts did an up-upand-away in September, rising to the highest level in 2% years. . the 1,814,000 units were 18% aboye the Aug. figs. and topped the year earlier by a whopping

39%...

The big gainer was in the previously weak multifamily sector, which popped up a remarkable 46% over Aug. to the highest rate since May '74.. . bldg. permits were ll% aver the previous mo. and 3l% ahead of the year earlier.

The single family starts component of the 1.8 million rate was 1,295,000, the strongest showing for singles ever, except for '72, when heavy fed. subsidies hyped that sector to 1.5 million. . mobile home shipments also maintained a strong pace in Sept. . ..

The over all trend in housing this year is now clearly skyward: 1.4 million starts in the 2nd quarter, 1.6 million in the 3rd quarter with Sept. bldg. permits indicating a 1.7 million pace for the last quarter of '76...with continued fed. bolstering, gains in multifamily starts look very bright for at least the first half of '77.

Southern California continues as the nation's hottest hornebuilding marke t; arecord I 30,000 starts for the entire state is indicated for '76; some months lending institutions handle nearly 3O% of all U.S. mortgages, home values are appreciating three times as fast as in the Northeast. buyers are literally standing in line to secure a new home..

Modular homes, which flopped in'69-70 are an idea whose time has come again, says Advance Mortgage Company's latest sur- vey; a marriage of mobile home technology and tract builder know-how can bring them back as the big factor in the thinlysupplied under $30,000 market.

Reasons incl. ( I ) code-complying units can be built on existing assembly lines and meshed in with mobile home production, (2) HUD's uniform nt'I. code now exists, (3) costs between mfg'd. and stick-built homes have increased, (4) transport is no longer as significant a cost factor, (5) manufacturers have increased quality, some now qualify for 30 year loans- .

Lauisiana-Pacific has agreed with FMC Corp. for L-P to buy its 50% interest in Ketchikan Pulp Co. in Alaska for $46 million in cash; besides pulp and sawmills, L-P acquires a 50year cutting contract on 800,000 acres of prime timberlands with 4.9 biltion bd. ft. of timber.

North Paciftc Lumber Co. Portland, is reportedly in nego' tiations following charges in court July 16, by former employee Les Oliver that alleged, in part, "Plaintiff has required its employees. . . to engage in illegal, immoral, fraudulent, unethical, deceptive and corrupt trade practices.. . " according to a story in Willamette Week, issue of Aug. 2, 1976... North Pacific's atty. will only sy, according to lilillamette Vteek, 'The company is denying totally the validity of the claims".

Georgia-Paciftc has named T. Marshall Hahn, Jr. as new pres. to succeed Robert E. Floweree. who moves up to chairman and chief exec. officer; Floweree succeeds Robert B. Pamplin, who retires.. .Construction contracts in'77 will total $l 14 billion, up l2Yo frorn '76, fiorecasts F. W.

Hueh M. Iiloods Co., Denver, has opened its 5th store, W. 104 Ave. at Zuni, in Thornton, 22,500 sq. ft. under cover. . Evergreen Lumber, Inc. Port Orchard, Wa., plans a Nov. 26Dec. 4, Grand Opening for their new facility. the Robt. A. Razo family plans a mini home center in Boyle Heights (t.:A.) Ca. Bisbee Lumber Co., Sierra Vista, Az., has closed down due to zoning regulations.

Payless Cashways is bldg. a new store in Sacramento, Ca., new units in Bakersfield and Modesto are planned to open lst quarter '77, Ffesno to bow in 2nd quarter '77. 84 Lumber Co. had a grand opening recently for its new Sparks, Ny-, storg. Inyo Lumber Retail Div., Bishop, Ca., has been sold to the Bud Jarvis family for an undisclosed amount; new co. name: InyaMono Lumber Co. .

Diamo n d In t erna t io nal is building a new store/warehouse on its present site, Ukiah, Ca., comple- tion slated for Dec. Lindberg Lumber, Calpell4 Ca., has been sold to the Wm. Neeses and Floyd Roveras of Redwood Valley. .

Solana Lumber, Solana Beach, Ca., has been sold for cash (amt. undisclosed) to Don Cole, 32, of Detroit, who does not plan an active role; Herschell Larrick remains pres. Pope & Talbot is test marketing a redwod version of its successful Woodstrip d-i-y item in Sacramento, Ca., initial product was (is) made of Western red cedar. . t -.;,;,',,. ,l t4ryrrhorrrer has moved its district offices from their L.A. facility to their Anaheim Customer Service Center. - Roy Forest hoducts has moved from Sherman Oaks, Ca. to Colton Home Lumber, Mountain Home, Id., recently had a Grand Opening for their enlarged store Houston Lumber, Farmington, N.M., is due to open their newly expanded home improvement center.