C—4.

56

wounds. Locally known as " pepper-wood." Is grown and flourishes in gardens. Not used for any commercial purpose. 47. Tarata. —ls reported as only occurring South of Arawata River ; fairly plentiful in Arawata and Cascade Valleys, and sparsely down to Big Bay. Does not grow on the high lands. Discarded by settlers, as it rots rapidly. The tree is from 20 ft. to 30 ft. high, with barrel 5 ft. to 8 ft. Not grown as a garden-shrub. 49. Tawhiwhi. —Occurs throughout the whole of the district; not found on the high lands, but is chiefly confined to swampy country ; also grows on dry river-flats, where it attains a greater size than that on wet lands. Maximum height, 20 ft. ; diameter, 8 in. Not commercially used. It is a very fine shelter-tree for gardens, and also grows into ornamental fences, which are very close, and stand trimming. p 50. Mahoe. —Grows throughout the district. Is found on the low lands from the seaboard across to the mountains, and is frequently seen 1,000 ft. above sea-level. It is the chief feed for cattle, which fatten easily.when placed in it. This scrub rapidly recovers after being fed off and trodden down if the cattle are kept out of the bush. It is grown in a few gardens as an ornamental shrub.. Maximum size, 30 ft., and 1 ft. diameter. Settlers, miners, &c, never use this wood. 51. Huoi, or Manatu. —Found all over the district. There are two prominent varieties—the smallleaved kind grows usually on deep loamy country, is always an indication of good soil, and sends out a mass of small white flowers. The large-leaved sort (probably Plagianthus Lyalli) grows wholly on the mountains from near the base, generally up to within a short distance of the " grass line," and in some localities quite out on to the open high lands ; is almost always found in damp shady hollows and on slips, where it is easily noted by the bright green of its foliage in spring, its masses of lovely white flowers in summer, and its yellow leaf tintage in autumn. Both varieties are deciduous. The mountain shrub makes a beautiful garden plant, and is extensively grown. Plenty of seedlings ; transplants readily. Maximum size (low-country variety), 35 ft. high, with diameter of 2 ft. ; odd trees, 35 ft. and 3 ft. through. Mountain variety —18 ft., and 8 in. in diameter ; maximum, 25 ft. to 30 ft;, and 9 in, through. Has been sawn into planks, and used for white-wood furniture, also for panelling ; but is utterly useless for any outside purpose, as it decays very fast, and is only considered a fair timber for temporary use. It is reported that this wood and bark would make good paper. 52. Wharangi. —Found only on the limestone hills behind Greymouth and along the seaward faces of the hills between the Grey and Pororari Rivers ; nowhere else in Westland. 53. Kaikomako. —Cannot positively identify this tree. 56. Putaputa weta. —Grows all over the lowlands ; more plentiful along river-banks ; not found inland, among the mountains. Size, 30 ft., and 1 ft. through. Very little used ; not, considered durable ; cracks when drying ; never used here for handles of any description. Would suit as a sheltershrub for gardens. 57. Kumarahou. —Found from extreme north of district down to Cascade Valley ; fairly plentiful on low lands and on outer spurs of inland mountains. Has been seen 30 ft. high and 12 in. in diameter. No use whatever made of it in Westland. Occurs amongst small bush and as undergrowth in main forest; also as a thick " second-growth "in clearings. ~.. 59. Manuka, or Kahikatoa. —Met with throughout Westland, but only in the low lands. Generally occurs as dense scrub which fringes the margins of shallow lagoons and swampy open lands where it has the needed air and sunlight, for it does not exist as an undergrowth. Comes up as a " second growth" in abandoned clearings in different places, but not invariably; no continuous broad areas occur. A bushman cleared about 2 acres of heavy scrub (20 ft. by 3 ft. 8 in.) on the margin of Okarito Lagoon for firewood, and on revisiting the place forty years afterwards found the new.growths up to old size. Is not durable. Used for hammer, &c, handles, sheep-hurdles, fascines, and canoe-poles. Good firewood when at full growth. 60. Ramarama. —Cannot positively identify this tree; but fairly certain of its occurrence in West land. 62. Rohutu. —Found throughout the low lands ; usually amongst the bushes on shrub-covered lands in lower river-flats. Grows generally on good soil. Height, about 10 ft. Have never heard of any use being made of it. Horses and cattle crop the smaller branches and leaves in time of heavy frost. Is not esteemed as an ornamental shrub. j »,.- 63. Rohutu. —Cannot positively identify this tree. | .ff 64. Kotukutuku, or Kohutuhutu. —This tree is found in all parts of Westland. Demands air and sunlight; hence generally growing on land-slides on mountain, hill, and terrace sides. Creeps up to 3,000 ft. on slips in beds of gullies. Frequently overhangs inland river-banks, where it stretches its main trunk and branches out laterally a few feet above the boulders which mark the flood-level. Deciduous, and usually intermixed with ribbon-wood. Streaks the higher mountain-faces with lovely autumn leafage. The bare russet branches and stems also beautiful in winter. Grows a nice luscious berry, which is much appreciated by birds and humans. Makes fine slippery skids for all kinds of bushhauling or boat-landing. Very dense and sodden wood ; would not burn green ; have never seen it dry, except an old dead branch (of a living tree), fully exposed to sunshine. Some few settlers have used Fuchsia lor house-piles and fencing-posts, with satisfactory results. Have met it 30 ft. high, and 1 ft. 6 in. through. Does not grow a straight stem, but is full of twists, bosses, and shapeless branches. Prefers stony ground, and drainage. 65. Horoeka (Lancewood). —Grows throughout Westland. Fairly plentiful, but for one mature tree there are quite forty younger ones in all stages of development. Mainly confined to low country or inland valley-floors. Utterly discarded by settlers and miners, who give it a bad name for durability. Sends up very clean straight stems, and is met 40 ft. high. The young trees make (while green) excellent fishing-rods, whip-handles, and sheep-hurdles,