NEW ZEALAND WOODS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1027, 3 December 1872, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND WOODS.

Having been bom and bred by parents both belonging to a long lino of ancestry of timberinen, it was natural for me to follow their steps and occupations, and, being of a rather, speculative character, I had during my stay at Home, and about 20 years of Colonial experience, tried to benefit myself and future generations by several successful trials on New Zea-. land trees and other products. Several years ago I built a wooden cottage on rimu or red pino piles, and being compelled to make an alteration four or five years afterwards, I found some of those piles as sound as when put in the ground, and others completely rotten ; and knowing that all the piles came from the same tree—cut near the cottage—l examined tbe piles moro particularly, and ascertained the following fact: —That all tbe piles sunk into the ground in tbe way they were grown were rotten, and those that were turned upside down seasoned in tho ground, and I have no doubt stand yet. Tho same facts I found in other kinds of wood fencing, more particularly in kauri wood. About 100 miles from Auckland I had a sawmill which was built about five years Leforo I came into possession; and, having to do some repairs in a dark

and wot place close to the ground, I found on some kauri posts 12 inches square a lot of spongy growth, and on removing some of the sponge I found that I could put my walking-stick into them, being completely rotted; and by a careful examination I ascertained the same resultß as I found in the Middle Island. Therefore I came to this conclusion, that the trees or logs, after being deprived of their roots, and put back iu the same position iu the ground, will feed through their natural resources, and this will make tho wood rot quicker than when put upside down. New Zealand has only a short period for the proper season to fell timber or logs j for timber in the

part where I came from we had three mouths, and here wo have only six weeks, The best time to fell is June, but the last week in May and Ist in July will do. If this was properly acted upon, kauri and totara would be equal to, if not better than any European or American timber. I have found that trees cut down in June will not shrink in length or width as the wood will do at other months, and the worm will not destroy it. I have on several occasions cut out of a house or office a scantling on which I heard the worm working or eating, and found always that tho tree was cut out of the proper season where the scantling did come from (that any experienced bushman can tell by smell or taste). I also found that there was not tho least sign or hole where the worm could have gone from, tho outside, but by dressing the four sides and cutting the two ends I did come to a hole, and worms like my little finger in size, so that the tree must have bred the worm through the untimely death of the tree. I have taken out of old deserted buildings timber in this country completely perforated by worms, and by careful examination, I found that the worm had deserted or died in it, and the adjoining piece was good and sound. I believe that there is only a certain time when the blood or sap of the unseasonable wood will give food for tho worms, and, if tho same piece is attached to a seasoned piece, the worms will not enter the good wood. I also took notice that amongst the mill and bush hands there was more sickness during the time we were compelled to work this unseasonable wood. This is a matter of great importance, and should be looked into by the proper authorities.— C.N. in ' Southern Cross.'