C—4.

(C.) TIMBERS SUITABLE FOR COACHBUILDING AND WHEELWRIGHTING. Kauri. —A most useful timber for panelling, more especially the white variety. When cut on the quarter, can be readily bent for curved panels, wing-boards, &c. Have found that timber felled during the winter months gives the best results. (Vide photographs opposite pages 16 and 17.) Rimu. —Have used this timber for inside work on tram-cars, &c, with good results. When used in roof-linings and dados, alternated with kauri, when varnished, the effect is very pleasing. Pohutukawa. —One of the finest timbers for wheelwright's work. Makes first-class hubs and felloes. Requires to be cut between May and July to get the best results. That grown in sheltered positions is much better than that grown in exposed places, as it is more uniform and the heart is nearer the centre of the tree. When required for hubs it should be cut into suitable lengths, and a hole put through the centre. This enables it to season without splitting. Seasoning in a dark place also prevents splitting. It is beneficial to get the tree as near to the size of the hub required as possible, as it is hardest nearest to the outside. (Vide photograph opposite page 56.) Manuka, or White Tea-tree. —Another useful timber for making spokes. It is a timber easily worked, and a good finish can be got on it without a great deal of labour. If the right class of timber is selected, cut at the proper time, and seasoned, first-class results will be obtained. During the past twenty-five years, have obtained good results from it, and for some classes of work prefer it to imported timber. It also makes good light cart-shafts, where pliability is required. Also useful for pickhandles. (See photograph of manuka opposite page 48.) Yellow Kowhai. —A very useful timber for bending purposes, and makes first-class rims for wheels, equal to anything imported. Is not procurable in any quantity in this part of the Dominion, which is unfortunate, as it could largely take the place of imported hickory. Have seen it used in wheels with most satisfactory results. (Vide photograph opposite page 49.) Mangeao. —A very useful timber for inside work in buses, trams, and railway-carriages, some of it being very beautifully figured. Requires to be cut at the proper season, otherwise it is useless. If cut when the sap is up it will rot very quickly, and if cut into boards it will go black and decay when each fillet is placed between the boards whilst being seasoned. When cut at the proper season this trouble does not appear. Have seen this timber used with good results in violin-making. It produces a good clear tone. H. J. Cousins, Auckland.

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