C.-4.

31. Black-birch.— This timber is not plentiful in Southland. It lasts well in fencing, and is suitable for rough buildings, but twists badly when sawn and exposed to the weather. 32. Brown-birch.—lt is now being introduced into the market by sawmillers, and has been used for all purposes in buildings, and, so far, there has been little or no complaint. It is now used both m Invercargill and Dunedin for cabinet-work, and, as it is cheaper than rimu, it is being used to some extent as a substitute for that timber in this class of work. It looks well when stained and polished, and can be got up to closely resemble walnut. _ 43. Kamahi.— This timber is generally called birch in Southland, and it resembles black-bircn, inasmuch as it twists and splits when sawn and exposed to the weather. * It was used at one time for railway-sleepers, but was found to be not durable enough for that purpose. It is suitable for fencing, but it is not so durable as black-birch or black-pine. It makes excellent firewood. 67. Broadleaf (Papauma).—This timber is becoming scarce. It is very durable, and is most valuable as a fencing-timber, for which purpose it is nearly as much sought after as kowhai. It is also good firewood. It splits readily, though very crookedly. It will sometimes shoot and take root when put into the ground. It also will stand trimming in the shape of hedges. 37 Pokalca.— This is an inferior kind of timber, decay setting in at an early stage of its growth ; consequently, a sound tree over 2 ft. in diameter is rare. The timber is sometimes used for studs and joists of buildings, but it is mostly used by sawmillers for tramway purposes. 59. Manuka.— This tree seldom grows over 1 ft. or 1 ft. 2 in. in diameter m Southland. It is sometimes used for fencing-rails, but its chief use is for firewood, for which it is very suitable. It is very tough, however, and will stand a heavy twist or transverse strain, and should be suitable for spokes. 10. Rata, or Ironwood.— This is a very strong and durable timber. It has been used m a few instances for props and beams in large stores, and occasionally for spokes of dray-wheels, but its chief use is for firewood, and as such it commands a high price. _ - 24. Kowhai.— This may almost be classed as a dead timber, as there are few growing trees m Southland. It is said that some forty-five years ago an insect attacked and killed practically all the trees in Southland. There are a few small trees or shrubs growing along the banks of creeks and rivers. The heart-wood which is now left on the ground is very durable, and commands a high price for fencing material, for which purpose it is solely used. It is one of the best lasting trees in the South Island, unless split too small, in which case the coating of dry-rot which invariably accumulates round it after lengthy exposure to the weather is apt to penetrate too far, and so impair its strength. The large trees (dead), which rarely exceed 2 ft. in diameter, are generally hollow, or have at least one big longitudinal shake. The timber is very hard and heavy, and of great transverse strength, though it splits freely It steams readily, and is suitable for ribs for boats, and for any bent-wood work. 51. Houi, or Houhere (Ribbon-wood).— This is a deciduous tree in Southland. The timber is white, with a mottled grain, somewhat like honeysuckle. It is very easy and even to work, and, though it shrinks, does not appear to crack or split unduly. It could doubtless be devoted to some practical or ornamental use. The tree will survive when the underscrub is cleared away, and is a very ornamental ' The other shrubs mentioned, such as black, red, and white mapau, milk-wood, fuchsia, makomako, horse-chestnut, &c, are only used in Southland for firewood and temporary fencing. The wood of a large number of the smaller timbers—such as pepper-tree, honeysuckle, mapou, and others—is very ornamental when used in the shape of veneer for cabinet-work.

Schedule of Estimated Areas and Quantities of Timber.

Note.—ln addition to the above there are estimated to be 1,397,400,000 sup. ft. of timber which is not suitable for miffing. r r Commissioner of Crown Lands. Jas. Collins, Crown Lands Ranger.

67

Number on Plan. Area. Red-pine. White-pine. Black-pine. Miro. Totara. Birch. Total. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 .. On Grown Lands (including Reserves). Ac- Sup. ft. Sup. ft. Sup. ft. Sup. ft. Sup. ft. 4 |up oo ,t ooo 494 140 76 700 000 11,400,000 7,650,000 23,050,000 3,270,000 50,165,000 172,235,000 ■' 88 400 54475 000 33,892,000 5,210,000 10,150,000 1,490,000 10,030,000 115,247,000 :: 37o;ooo nwoo 2,000,000 .. 1,500,000 100,000 2^000 Total . 12,860,000 34,700,000 . 4,860,000 112,595,000 354,482,000 Timber within Sounds National Parle. 1 /. .. | 800,000 | 203,000,000 | 43,000,000 | 10,150,000 | 17,000,000 | 2,750,000 [ 334,100,000 ] 610,000,000 On Private and Native Lands. 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 .. ,V 9on " " " '.'. 25,000,000 25,000,000 154 600 39 900 000 17,100,000 9,000,000 13,000,000 4,000,000 52,000,000 134,100,000 " 186 900 94 000 000 17 000,000 5,213,000 20,985,000 2,500,000 15,000,000 154,698,000 ii 3L2O0 LOOWOO 50,000 2,500,000 150,000 1,600,000 16,300,000 Total .. 36,485,000 6,650,000 93,600,000 330,098,000