47

a—B.

Timber Export. The following table shows the gradual development of the export trade and its present position : — Sawn and Hewn Timber. Superficial Value. Feet. £ 1871 ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,214,742 14,200 1875 ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,225,627 26,914 1881 ... ... ... ... ... ... 13,180,280 65,119 1888 ... ... ... ... ... ... 43,474,434 177,877 1889 42,568,600 176,608 1890 . , ... ... ... ■ ... ... 42,098,863 181,689 1891 ... ... ... ... ... ... 42,824,365 182,431 1892 .. ... ... ... ... ... 22,860,551 87,581 1893 26,718,046 101,082 1894 ... .... ... ... ... ... 31,901,415 116,116 1895 ... ... ... ... ... ... 38,297,905 141,892 1896 34,984,414 133,511 By far the greater portion of exported timber consists of kauri, the proportion of other timbers being almost insignificant. Thus, in 1887 the quantity of kauri exported was 30,230,084 ft. superficial, valued at £124,347, and of all other timbers 1,104,380 ft. superficial, valued at £4,475. The export of rimu and kahikatea is, however, increasing, though not very rapidly. Up till now the greater part has been shipped from the Bluff, but the recent completion of the Hokitika to Greymouth Eailway will lead to considerable shipments from the latter port. Figured rimu, which is plentiful in the Westland forests, could be placed on the London market at a low price, either in selected board or in logs, and if shipments were regular would command a ready sale. The remarkable falling-off of the export trade in 1892 was caused, of course, by the terrible commercial depression that year throughout Australasia. Kauri Besin. Gum-digging employs nearly seven thousand persons, including Maoris and aliens. In the fossil state it is found in lumps, varying in size from that of a walnut to 1001b. weight. It is used in the manufacture of oil-varnishes, and is exported to England and the United States. In 1860 the export was only 1,046 tons, valued at £9 per ton. In 1894 it amounted to 8,338 tons, valued at £48 10s. per ton. The following statement, taken from the Customs returns, shows the quantity exported in each year from 1884 to 1894 with the total value and average per ton: — Quantity. Total value. Average per ton. £ £ s. a. 1884 ... ... ... ... 6,393 342,151 53 10 4 1885 5,875| 299,762 51 0 3 1886 ... ... ... ... 4,920f 257,653 52 7 1 1887 ... ... ... ... 6,790 362,434 53 7 6 1888 ... ... ... ... 8,482 380,933 44 18 4 1889 ... ... ... ... 7,519 329,590 43 16 8 1890 ... ... ... ... 7,438 378,563 50 17 11 1891 ... ... ... ... 8,388 437,056 52 2 1 1892 ... .. ... ... 8,705 517,678 59 9 4 1893 ... ... ... ... 8,317 510,775 61 8 3 1894 ... ... ... ... 8,338 404,567 48 10 5 1895 ... ... ... ... 7,425 418,766 56 7 11 1896 ... ... ... ... 7,126 431,323 60 10 6 The digger's equipment is of a simple character. A gum-spear is used to test the ground, and when found beneath the surface the gum is dug out with a spade. The total area of the gum-fields is variously estimated at from 1,500,000 to 1,800,000 acres. For statistics specially prepared for my use at the close of my tour through the colony by G. Mueller, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, see Appendix A, at end of report. MINING TIMBEE SUPPLIES. In New Zealand the question of supplies of timber for mining purposes is not as yet a burning one, as in Victoria, inasmuch as mining in the first-named colony is chiefly confined to hydraulic sluicing, in connection with which the demand for timber is not great, On those fields, too, where timber is a matter of expense and difficulty, mining-props may readily be grown at comparatively small cost. The blue-gum thrives in both North and South Islands, and no better tree could be selected for plantation in places where mining requirements are likely to be large and permanent. This question of permanency, I may mention in passing, is one of the greatest importance where State forests are concerned. Blue-gums can be grown to Bin., 10in., or 12in. props in a number of years equal to the diameter measurements — i.e., approximately, lin. in diameter for each year. Under these circumstances, it is quite feasible for any company with spare land round their claim to grow blue-gums for their own use if native timber be not available. In large mining centres, of course, such private planting would not be sufficient, and Government should start plantations to keep up the necessary supply of timber. So far as I was able to observe during my recent tour, mining as stated above is principally carried on by sluicing; but if at any time there is extensive demand for mining timber the Eucalyptus family will be found of great value, and has the special advantage of being a rapid