Sawmill This is a typical example of the portable sawmills found in the surrounding area timber berths. They were in use from the 1920's through to the 1950's and supplied many a farmer with winter income. This mill was manufactured by "Coutts" and uses a 48 inch blade. About five men were required to run the mill and additional crews to do the falling and skidding the trees to the mill yard. The average wage for a long cold day in the 1920's was two to three dollars.