C—4

64

The trunk is usually clear and straight, and the wood soft, with an even grain. It is not by any means plentiful, and it is very little used. The timber is white in colour, and is sometimes used for shelving, boxmaking, &c. It is not supposed to be durable, and it is hardly plentiful enough to provide material for further uses. 43. Towhai, or Kamahi, or Kamai is exceedingly plentiful in the Catlin's Forest, where it is looked upon with much disfavour by settler and sawmiller alike. It grows to a height of 40 ft. to 60 ft., and, though the younger trees have a nice appearance, the older ones are very often gnarled and crooked. The wood is looked upon as valueless, except for mining-props or other uses that keep it away from the sun. When cut, the roots exude a dark liquid that poisons any adjacent vegetation, which gives one the impression that it might be used for tanning,purposes. Towhai is difficult to burn, and hence it is an obstruction to settlers in making their clearings. If left standing during bushfailing, it is killed by the subsequent fire. It may then stand for a year or two, during which time it rots, and is blown to the ground by the heavy wind. Standing, it is a continual menace to stock, for it may fall at any time ; and, fallen, it is a nusiance to the settler, as it will not burn. There is a large quantity of this timber in Catlin's —in fact, there are extensive areas containing nothing but towhai or kamai. The amount used as mining-props is comparatively small, and, if any other possible use could be found for it, there is any amount of material to work on. It might be well worth while to try it for papermaking, and. if it proved suitable, large quantities could be got within easy reach of a railway. 46. Horopito (Pepper-tree) is very plentiful in Otagp, and is generally found on the outskirts of the forest or on the edge of a bush clearing. It rarely attains a greater height than 10 ft. to 12 ft., with a diameter of 3 in. to 4 in. The bark is dark or black in colour, and the wood of a reddish colour. No particular use is made of the wood, though it would appear to be suitable for inlaying in ornamental work. Its leaves have a hot and rather bitter taste, and it is often used as an ornamental shrub. 47. Tarata (known generally here as " turpentine ") cannot be said to be plentiful, though there are a fair number in the Otago bush. It has a very handsome foliage.-but the trunk is usually crooked and branchy. The bark contains a resinous liquid which emits a very pleasant odour, and the leaves are of a light, soft green. It does not grow large enough to be of any use to the sawmiller. The wood is tough and elastic, and it might be used to a small extent for making tool-handles. 49. Tawhiwhi (Black-maple) grows sometimes to a height of 20 ft. to 25 ft., though it is rarely found of this height. The wood is strong and elastic, but it is not supposed to be very durable. It is used chiefly for fencing-rails. It is not by any means plentiful. 50. Mahoe, or Hinahina usually grows in areas that do not contain any other timber. Its foliage is of a pale green, and the trees are branchy, and not high. The wood is nearly white in colour, and the leaves are relished as feed by cattle. This tree is looked upon as an indication of good sharp soil. It is not sufficiently plentiful to be of any commercial use. 51. Huoi, or Manatu grows in the different forests of Otago. Under favourable circumstances it is a handsome tree, occasionally reaching 30 ft. to 40 ft. in height. The wood is white, tough, and springy, but is not looked upon as durable. Some species produce a mottled wood that can be used for inlaying-work. It is not sufficiently plentiful to be of much commercial value. 56. Putaputa weta (White-maple) is not very common in Otago, except in the vicinity of Dunedin. It grows to a height of 20 ft., but might be classed more as a shrub than a tree. The wood is not durable, but is elastic and strong. It is sometimes used for making tool-handles or light rails. 59. Manuka, or Kahikatoa. —Manuka scrub is very prevalent in many parts of Otago. It does not usually grow to a size that would be useful for any purpose whatever. It comes up very densely, and spreads quickly if unchecked by fire or cultivation. This useless scrub is destroying many acres of pastoral land in Otago —land that would successfully graze sheep well, but that is not quite valuable enough to warrant its being cleared. Kahikatoa, is not used for any purpose, but might prove suitable for papermaking. 64. Kotukutuku grows to a height of 20 ft. to 25 ft., and occasionally attains a diameter of 2 ft. The wood is very sappy, and takes a very considerable time to dry. It is very hard or nearly impossible to burn it, owing to the length of time it retains the sap. Fuchsia, though for some time looked upon as being absolutely useless, has proved itself to be very lasting in the ground, and it is therefore much used in bush fencing. It is difficult to get it anything like straight, as the trunk has a strong tendency to grow crooked and gnarled. It is not very plentiful, and, with the exception of material for fencing, it does not appear to have any other use. 65. Horoeka (Lance-wood) has a very striking appearance. In its younger growth it consists of a straight slender stem with a few leaves growing at the top. These leaves grow downwards, and they are 18 in. to 2 ft. in length, with a breadth of \ in. to f in. As the tree or shrub grows older its leaves turn upwards. When maturity is reached, the trunk measures up to 6 in. in diameter. The timber is tough and elastic, but is rarely used for any other purpose than making fencing-rails or walkingsticks. 67. Papauma (Broadleaf) is very common in the various bush lands of Otago. It grows to a height of sometimes 40 ft. to 45 ft., but as a rule it is low and branchy. The trunks are crooked, gnarled, and hollow ; but the Wood is very durable. From the settlers' point, of view broadleaf is one of the most valuable of our timbers for fencing, and all the available supply will be used in time for this purpose. The wood retains the sap for a very long time, and hence it is very difficult to burn. 70. Mikimiki (Yellow-wood) is not very common, except on the outskirts of the bush. The wood is yellow in colour, and is very tough and elastic It is used for making tool-handles, and also for making the cross-pieces of light sheep-gates. 77. Inaka, generally known here as the grass-tree, is not at all common, and it is more of a shrub than a tree. It has rather a peculiar appearance, owing to its long spiked leaves. It is too small to be of any use either as timber or fencing-material.