C.—4

32

12. Tawhai ruanui (Tooth-leaved Beech). —Habitat: North and South Islands. This is a fine tough wood, very hard, and, if properly seasoned, very lasting. It is used mainly for fencing and firewood. It grows at altitudes of from 500 ft. to 3,000 ft. or 4,000 ft. on all our wooded ranges. In the Waimarino south and west of Ruapehu it is very plentiful. In the Te Tuhi, Ahu Ahu, and Puketotara Blocks, where the spurs are sharply defined, it is the chief tree. It is little used at present, and has no commercial value, but will no doubt be used for many purposes as other timbers decrease and it becomes better known. The bark is rich in tannin, and may also contain medicinal properties. 13. Tawhai rauriki (Entire-leaved Beech). —Usually called " black-birch." Is very commonly spread over the whole district, at high altitudes. It is used chiefly for firewood. It is a fine tough wood ; very hard to work when seasoned. Its drawback as a timber tree is that.it warps badly. The bark is rich in tannin, and may contain medicinal properties. In the past it has been used for tanning. 14. 15. Tawhai, and Tawhai (Blair's Beech). —Mr. F. A. Thompson writes, "I am not clear about the distinction between these two beeches. They add much to the beauty of mountain landscapes from 1,000 ft. to about 3,500 ft. altitude. Found in most localities at that height. Chiefly useful as a beautiful and ornamental tree. Tawhai (Silver-beech). —Common on all the higher ranges throughout the district. It is readily distinguished from the other beeches by its cherry bark, leaves, and salmon-coloured wood that cuts like cheese. 16. Maire raunui. —Found in small quantity in most parts of the district, but is most plentiful in the Waimarino. It is a very hard and durable timber, but as yet is not used for .many purposes— mainly for straining-blocks in bridges, bearings, rollers for mills, and any other purposes where hard wood is required. It lasts well in and out of the ground. It makes a splendid fuel, giving out a fierce heat. As this timber becomes better known, it will be used for many purposes, such as cabinetmaking, &c. It is, however, subject to a borer-worm. Narrow-leaved Maire. —Found mostly in high parts of the country. Is very hard, but generally too small for timber. 18. Northern Rata. —Habitat: North Island and northern parts of the South Island. This is usually found on hill-tops and dry ridges ; it is very tough, and when not in contact with the ground, durable timber, lasting about fifty years ; it is little used, however, owing to its being generally twisted and knotty. It is mainly used for arms for telegraph-poles, knees for vessels, firewood, and wheelwrights' work. It has been used for purposes requiring bending, such as for shafts and hockey-sticks. Many of the trees are very large, but, as it develops from a vine, the trees are frequently hollow. 22. Manuka raurika. —Habitat: North Cape to Otago. It grows mostly on ranges, sometimes forming a good part of the forest, and sometimes in small clumps. Trees of 40 ft. in height and 2 ft. in diameter are not uncommon. The timber is very hard and durable, with a strong fibre. It is easily worked, and is much used for tool-handles, for which purpose it is specially adapted. It has otherwise no commercial value at present. 23. Maire tawhake. —The only mention of this timber is in Mr. F. A. Thompson's report. He says, " Sometimes also called Whawhakoa. I found a little of this at Levin, near the Ohau River." 24. Kowhai. —Habitat: North Cape to Southland. Generally on river banks and flats. ~ It is found all over the district. It is a very durable timber. Mainly used for fencing, tool-handles, and wheelwrights' work, and occasionally for buildings. It has no present commercial value. Mr. F. A. Thompson refers to three varieties —viz., tetraptera, microphylla, and prostrata. He says, " The former variety is plentiful in most parts of the district; the latter on scrubby mountain sides and gullies. The variety grandiflora I have never seen." 25. Rimu (Red-pine).—Habitat: North Cape to Stewart Island. Generally all over the district. This is the most plentiful tree in the district, Mr. J. Stevenson estimating the proportion to other trees in the Waimarino Forest as —Rimu, 66 per cent. ; matai, 17 per cent. ; miro 12, per cent., &c. —and it is equally abundant in other parts. It is a fine tree, growing from 70 ft. to 100 ft. in height. It lasts very well out of the ground when properly seasoned, and is the principal building-timber of the Dominion. It is principally used for buildings, bridges, and cabinet-work. For the latter purpose, and also for lining and panels, it is in great demand, owing to the beauty of the grain and the fine polish it takes. Its royalty-value is Is. per 100 sup. ft., but after working, its value at mills, on truck, is Bs. 26. Kahikatea (White-pine). —Habitat: Monganui to Southland. Grows in low-lying damp or swampy ground, but occasionally on high ground in very sheltered basins, in all parts of the district. This is a good timber for inside work if felled at the right season and properly seasoned, but it is subject to dry rot unless so treated, and sometimes even then. If exposed it will only last about ten years, except when it is creosoted for sleepers. Properly treated, it has been known to stand perfectly sound for inside work for sixty years. It is a soft easily worked timber, and is much used for making butterboxes and packing-cases. It is also used for wood-pulp. A considerable quantity is exported to Australia. 27. Miro toromiro. —Habitat: North and South Islands, from Mongonui to Stewart Island. Found all over the Wellington Land District, mostly at low altitudes on dry flats, but sometimes at fairly high altitudes. The timber lasts well when not exposed to the weather. It is fairly strong, and is used for buildings, bridges, cabinet-work, runners for bush-trams,'&c. The bark contains medicinal properties, and the gum —a very strong adhesive —is used by bushmen for healing cuts. Royaltyvalue, Is. per 100 sup. ft. 33. Pukatea. —Habitat: Monganui to Westland. Found in damp ground and low altitudes, gene rally near the coast. The timber is strong, with a tough fibre, very hard to split, and would mak good fencing material. The heart is durable, and is used for cabinet-work.