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The extensive forests contain many timbers of which the durability and strength are of established reputation. Of these the kauri, which is indigenous to the district, is greatly valued. The trees often attain gigantic size, and the vast groves create a profound impression upon those who view them for the first time. The great demand for this timber still continues, whilst rimu (red-pine), kahikatea (white-pine), and totara are also much used for building and other purposes. Most of the timber is disposed of in New Zealand, but during the year ended the 31st December, 1907, 63,015,330 superficial feet of hewn or sawn timber, valued at £276,401, was shipped for export at Auckland and Kaipara. Sawmillers mostly convert the following timbers in the order named : Kauri, kahikatea, rimu, matai, totara. The smaller mills occasionally cut limited quantities of tawa, birch, tanekaha, and tarairi. With the exception of the last four, large stocks are always on hand. Puriri, pohutukawa, maire, miro, rata, kowhai, pukatea, hinau, titoki, rewarewa, towhai, kohekohe, and other kinds of trees found in the forests, although of value for special purposes, are not stocked by sawmillers, and are only cut to " special order," as the demand is only occasional and at all times limited, whilst ordinary sawmilling plants are not adapted for cutting hard woods ; consequently production of some of the abovementioned woods to order is costly and subject to delay. Census returns compiled in 1906 furnish the information that there were in the Auckland Provincial District 83 sawmills and sash and door factories employing about 3,618 hands ; but the number of persons engaged in bushfelling and other occupations in connection with the timber industry must be approximately between four and five thousand. The quantity of timber sawn in 1905 was 163,592,619 ft,, and the value of all the products of the mills was £1,078,233. The logs are brought by rail or along the coast to Auckland, where it is sawn into various sizes. Several large mills and woodworking establishments have been erected in the city, and also for a considerable distance along the harbour frontage. With the view to preserving specimens of the various timbers and clumps of forest for scenic purposes, the Government have made extensive reserves in various parts of the district. Varieties of Timber Trees, and their Uses. 1. Kauri.— Used for building. Royalty, Is. to 2s. per 100 sup. ft. Also used for joinery, furniture-making, and all general uses. Is only found growing in the northern portion of the Auckland Province, extending from Ahipara to Kawhia Harbour (or between the 35th and 38th parallel of south latitude), although there is evidence of the growth in past ages of kauri north and south of the places named. The girth of marketable trees now ranges from 4 ft. to 30 or more feet, the general average is about 12 ft., and the contents about 3,000 ft. Planks for special purposes have been sawn up to 100 ft., and boards up to 8 ft. wide free from defects. Special lengths now range from 40 ft. to 60 ft., and ordinary trade widths from 1 ft. to 3 ft. There is no pine in the world superior to kauri for general uses, and it has no equal for all-round purposes. It is utilised for house, ship, yacht, and boat building, wharves, bridges, railway and other works ; large quantities are also used for mining purposes (kauri timber is much too valuable for the last-mentioned work, and is also too good for sleepers, posts, &c). ■Kauri is best adapted for high-class joinery, internal fittings, furniture, turnery, carvings, &c. Of New Zealand timbers in general use kauri is the most buoyant, and is often floated two hundred or more miles before it reaches the sawmill. Mottled and figured kauri: Kauri-trees more or less mottled are found occasionally. There are several kinds of mottled—viz., plain, figured, bird's-eye, and fern-leaf. There are also several varieties of waved, dappled, feathered, and figured kauri. When converted into veneers it is highly prized, and is utilised for cabinet and other high-class work. Some of the specimens are extremely beautiful. 2. Totara.— Used for building. Royalty, Is. to 2s. per 100 sup. ft, Also used for piles, very lasting in damp places. It is found in quantities more or less all over the province. It is very durable, and, of New Zealand timbers, it is the best for resisting the ravages of the teredo, and prior to the advent of reinforced concrete was largely used in the construction of wharves, bridges, &c. It also lasts well in contact with the ground, and is utilised largely for general building and joinery purposes, and if carefully selected no timber is superior for window-sashes. It is also utilised for telegraph-posts, railway-sleepers, fencing-posts, &c. Mottled and figured totara, of which the supply is limited, is much sought after for panels, furniture, inlaying, &c. Totara is easily grown from seed, and forms a beautiful tree. 4. Matai.— Used for building. Royalty, Is. per 100 sup. ft. Very heavy timber, short-grained, will not float. Is found sparsely scattered in the north, but grows in greater profusion in the south of Auckland. Matai is only second to totara for durability, but is inclined to brittleness. It is used generally for house-building, especially for weatherboards and flooring, also for small bridges, with satisfactory results, and is largely utilised by settlers for fencing, &c. 5. Kawaka.— Not plentiful. Known locally as a "bastard totara." Scattered, scarce, and seldom used. 7. Manoao. —Not utilised at present. Found chiefly on high, rough country, East Coast. 9. Westland Pine.— Uses not known locally. Found on high land ; short and stunted growth. 11. Puriri.— Used for bridge-stringers, railway carriage and truck frames. Royalty, Is. per 100 sup. ft. Very hard and tough ; makes good sleepers and posts. Is found throughout the province, and amongst hard woods is the most durable and valuable. For work requiring strength and stability it is superior to British oak. It is used largely for railway-works, and is well adapted for framing railway carriages and wagons, and also for many purposes connected with ship and coach building, machinery, &c, Puriri is much too good for the many purposes for which it is commonly

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