C—4.

11. Puriri. —Splendid specimens of this valuable tree abounded along the coast belt from the Wairau Survey District to the northern limit of the province. It has now all been used up. Exceedingly durable timber, both in and out of ground or under water. The timber is very hard, and nearly black. It can be used for bridges and structural work requiring great strength and durability. The supply is practically exhausted. . Used now only for furniture, for which it is an excellent timber, being of a dark colour", and polishing very well. None of this timber is milled in this province now, it having been all cut out. It is entirely a coastal tree, as the botanical name implies. 38. Titoki.— Found in limited quantities throughout the district. The finer growth is confined to the middle and southern portions. Very tough. It was used for oxen-yokes and dray-poles by the early colonists, but is not durable in the ground. At the present time it is used very little, being superseded by Australian timber. 45. Kohekohe.— Grows along the whole extent of the Taranaki coast belt. Fairly durable. Used for fencing-posts and furniture-work ; it takes a fine polish. Timber-dealers only sell this timber for furniture-work. 5. Kawaka — Growing on the middle slopes of Mount Egmont.—Exceedingly durable ; culverts put down in 1875 on the ranges at National Park Reserve are now in a perfect state of preservation. This timber cannot be used outside the National Park Reserve, where it is protected by law from being cut or destroyed. Although a most durable timber, it is most brittle and short in the grain. 64.* Kotukutuku.— Grows all over the district. Durable timber. Used as house-blocks, posts, and strainers ; also for fencing in bush lands, as posts are very hard to burn. No price quoted by dealers, as they do not handle this timber. In bush lands it is only used for fencing purposes. Smaller Trees and Shrubs. There appears to be no special commercial uses to which the smaller trees named below are put. Many of them are used in the ordinary way as firewood, whilst others are used for ornamental treeplanting, such as the tarata and allied species, the puka, karaka, huio, ngaio, and a few others which do well in the open. The karaka and ngaio are especially serviceable in forming shelter along the coastbelt, standing the salt-laden winds off the sea without damage. Another valuable tree amongst the smaller growths is the ake, now practically cut out by the settler in search of maul-heads, for which purpose it is always in great demand. It was from its deep red heart (almost black) wood that the Maori of former days made all those beautiful weapons of waf—the taiaha, tawhatawha, too, patu, &c. It was considered—and rightly so—by the ancient New-Zealanders as the strongest, heaviest, and. best of all the timbers for his weapons of offence and defence. The heartwood retains its strength, heaviness, and quality in a remarkable degree, much more so than any other of our timbers. Its drawback as a commercial product is its smallness, it seldom exceeding 12 in. in diameter. It grows freely on sandy soil, and also in the shingle and gravel of old river-beds, and is singularly easy to propagate. Tawhai raunui.— Not plentiful. Scattered about district. Tawhai rauriki.—Rather plentiful. Scattered about district on high lands. Maire.— Not plentiful. Scattered throughout the province. Maire (Narrow-leaf).— Not plentiful. Scattered throughout the province. Manuka rauriki.— Fairly plentiful in the north. Maire tawhake.— Not plentiful. Scattered throughout the province. Miro. —Scattered about the district here and there. Pokaka— Not plentiful. Grows in northern parts of district. Titoki.—A limited amount all over the district. Porokaiwhiri. —Small trees scattered all over the district. ] Horopito. —A fair amount round the base of Mount Egmont. Tarata. —A fair amount in the central district. Tawhiwhi. —A fair amount in the central district. ' ; Huoi. —Scattered all over the district, along the banks of Btreams. Wharangi. —Scattered all over the central district. Kaikomako— Not plentiful. Grows in the middle of the district. Scattered about the bush margins in the centre and northern parts of the district. Karaka. —Small patches along the coast. Putaputa weta— Small quantity in central district. Kumarahou— Scattered about north of the province. Manuka.—Large patches in northern district Ramarama. —Scattered in the middle of district. I Rohutu.—A small quantity near New Plymouth. Horoeka. —All over the district. Papauma. —All over the district. Puka.— All over the district. Makes fine shelter-hedge plant. Yellow-wood. —Small shrubs dotted about the district. Neinei.—A limited quantity in the north of the district. Two. —Mostly on the ranges around Mount Egmont. Mapau.— Scattered about the middle of the district. Ngaio. Grows freely near the coast, particularly at Cape Egmont. Stands the salt-borne winds of the coast. Is used in the French Riviera for coast-planting. Houhere. —Grows along rivers (fairly plentiful) all over the district. Makomako— Grows on all bush-edges and in clearings all over the province.

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