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similar character to those previously mentioned, though there are patches of black and red tawhai, and some totara, which would form suitable milling-timber were they more accessibly situated. At the head-waters of the Selwyn River lies what is known as the " Thirteen-mile Bush," comprising about 5,000 acres of tawhai timber, a small portion of which could, if more accessibly situated, be used for milling. \ In the upper watershed of the Rakaia River and its tributaries —the Wilberforce, Avoca, and Harper Rjvers—there are approximately 20,000 acres of scrubby tawhai forest, very inaccessibly situated ; the only use to which it might be applied would be for props, fluming, &c, in the event of any mining operations being conducted in the locality. Nearly all of these forests have been proclaimed State forests, but in almost every dry season some portion of the forest is destroyed by grass-fires, and a larger extent of shingle-slides is exposed. The pastoral occupation of the surrounding country renders it almost impossible to preserve isolated areas of forest, and no evidence as to the originators is forthcoming when any damage to the forest occurs. At the head-waters of the Rangitata River and its tributaries there are some patches of inaccessible tawhai forest similar in character to those previously mentioned. In South Canterbury there are three small blocks of bush situated at Raincliff, and near the headwaters of the Pareora and Hook Rivers ; these are partly on Crown and partly on private lands, and comprise an estimated total of a little over 1,000,000 ft. of milling-timber, as shown in the schedules. The other scattered patches of bush in South Canterbury are too small to be of any value except from a scenic point of view, with the exception of a large tawhai forest in the vicinity of Lake Ohau and its feeders, the Hopkins and Dobson Rivers ; this probably contains some millions of feet of millingtimber, but at present it is too remote from any means of communication to be available for use.

Approximate Quantity of Milling-timber.

E. C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Varieties of Timber Trees, and Uses. North Canterbury. 2. Totara. —Grows on Banks Peninsula and in the Oxford district. Prefers volcanic soil and moist alluvial situations. About 150,000 sup. ft. in district. Durability depends on age and where grown. Matured timber will last thirty years in proximity to the earth, and twenty years in salt water if the bark is left on the piles when driven. Used for house-blocks, studdings, and plates, piles and struts for bridges and wharves, fencing, furniture, railway-sleepers, and telegraph-poles. Value, £1 7s. 6d. per 100 sup. ft. From observation, South Island totara does not appear to have the stability of that grown in the North Island ; the tensile strength seems even less. The totara can be easily grown on volcanic land. Alpine Totara. —Grows in mountain forest, North Canterbury. Used for fencing where other timber not available. Not procurable in market. Is of stunted growth. 4. Black-pine (Matai). —Grows on lower altitudes of remaining forest in Oxford, Ashley, and Waiau districts, and Banks Peninsula. About 100,000 sup. ft. in district. Free of sap and of mature age, one of the best timbers (native) for flooring, framing, decking, and all studdings. In exposed situations, twenty years' life ; under cover, fifty years. The sap is only fit for boxes and packing-cases. Used

Locality. Riniu. Kahikatea. Totara. Matai. Tawhai. Miscellaneous. Total. On Crow, m Lands. Near Waiau Sup. ft. Scattered trees Ditto 300,000 200,000 Sup. ft. Sup. ft. Scattered trees Sup. ft. Scattered trees Ditto 50,000 Scattered trees Sup. ft. 1,000,000 Sup. ft. Sup. ft. 1,000,000 Near Mount Grey Near Mount Thomas and Glentui Oxford Bush 50,000 75,000 50,000 1,000,000 11,000,000 7,000,000 1,000,000 11,400,000 7,325,000 Kowai District Banks Peninsula 50,000 50,000 100,000 50,000 1,000,000 30,000 (puka) 1,000,000 280,000 Alford Forest Peel Forest .. ... Raiucliff, White Rock, and Hook .Bushes 100,000 600,000 500,000 300,000 250,000 300,000 100,000 800,000 900,000 1,200,000 850,000 550,000 1,375,000 700,000 500,000 21,800,000 24,955,000 30,000 Near Waiau On Private Lands. 50,000 50,000 Scattered trees I 1,000,000 1,100,000 Near Mount Thomas and Glentui TCowai District Alford Forest Peel Forest Raincliff, White Rock, and Hook Bushes 50,000 1,000,000 200,000 2,000,000 1,050,000 200,000 2,010,000 1,930,000 300,000 10,000 1,214,000 150,000 298,000 100,000 418,000 50,000 j 1,424,000 398,000 468,000 4,200,000 6,590,000 100,000 I