Sundri wood chips were subjected to a mild chemical pre-treatment by soaking them in 1,2 and 3% solutions of NaOH and Na2SO3, individually as well as in mixture, for 24 hours at atmospheric conditions. Hardboards made from pre-treated chips were tested for determining their strength and water resistance properties. It was observed that the boards made from the chips pre-treated with NaOH alone and in mixture with Na2SO3 were stronger than those made by simple steam softening of the chips prior to refining. Also the strength of the hoards increased with an increase of the concentration of the pretreatment solutions. Pre-treatment with NaOH alone produced stronger boards than with the mixtures. Any such effect on the strength property of the boards, however, was not obvious in the pre-treatment with Na2 SO3 solutions. AU the pre-treatment methods adversely affected the water resisting properties of the boards.