ON THE HUON PINE, &c, 155 
cut to proper sizes, were rolled into the river, with hand.spikes 
or levers. The next process was to fix a hundred or more 
of these logs together, in the form of a raft, the outside logs 
being attached to the centre ones by iron chains. The raft 
was towed to the settlement by a launch or two. Sometimes 
in bad weather the chains gave way, and the logs drifted 
about in every direction. Such accidents always occasioned 
much trouble ; and indeed it seldom happened that the whole 
number of logs was recovered. When the raft arrived at 
the settlement, the unfortunate prisoners’ severest test began : 
for they had to wade to their middles for hours at a time with 
hand-spikes, to roll the timber up. The logs were piled in 
stacks, sometimes thirty feet high: Whenever the men were 
so employed, the Commandant used to allow them to receive 
a small quantity of spirits. We recollect seeing one of these 
logs, which measured twelve and a half tons. The best of 
the logs were shipped to Hobart Town; some were cut up 
by the sawyers, of whom there were constantly nine or ten 
pairs at work, into boards, also for Hobart Town; the re- 
mainder were either reserved for use in the settlement, or, if 
too short, or otherwise objectionable, they were thrown in to 
fill up the quays and other places. Many a log have I seen 
thus employed, which would now be of the greatest service 
in the Government timber-yards, but at that time they were 
considered of little or no value. Gum, myrtle, and other 
woods, which would not float, were brought to the settlement 
two at a time, lashed one to each side of a large launch. - 
There is also a tree which grows on Philip's Island, called 
the *Hard Wood, which would answer many of the same 
Purposes for which Lignum Vite is now used. Huon Pine, — 
however, is the staple commodity of McQuarrie Harbour, — — 
and no doubt, if thrown open to the public, would not only _ 
: nri ch speculators, but prove a general benefit to the colony: 
it is a wood much sought after for its quality, and is far supe 
rior to the pine imported from New Zealand ; and for man: 
. Purposes to the cedar of New South Wales. Al hough an 
immense draught on the stock of Huon Pine at McQuarri 
