l78 NEW ZEALAND WOODS. 



further experiments being made of their respective properties (as dye- 

 ing, tanning, etc.), as well as of their relative strength. 



Specimens should, whenever possible, be of the dimensions recom- 

 mended, viz. not under 5 feet 6 inches in length, by 3 X 2 inches in 

 scantling. — By his Excellency's command, E. W. Stafford. 



REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS ON NEW ZEALAND WOODS. 



The following woods from New Zealand have been tested as to their 

 capability of bearing pressure applied to the centre while supported at 

 the two extremities. 



Native Name. Scientific Name. 



No. 1. Kauri Dammar a australis. 



2. Totara Podocarpus. 



3. Rata Metrosideros robust a. 



4. Rimu Dacrydium cupressinum. 



5. Hinau Dicera dentata. 



6. Miro ......... Podocarpus ferruginea. 



7. Manuka, or Tea-tree .... Zeptospermum scoparium. 



8. Mangaia 



9. Rewa-Rewa Knightia excelsa. 



10. Kohe-Kohe Laurus Kohe-Kohe. 



11. Mapau Suttonia australis. 



12. Tawa Nesodaphne Tawa. 



13. Tawiri 



14. Kahika Podocarpus excelsa. 



15. Towhai Leiospermum. 



16. Matai Dacrydium. 



The above woods were sent from New Zealand, having been selected 



and forwarded to this Colony at the request of the Governor- General, 



for the purpose of experiment. Of the first four on the list, three 



specimens were sent ; of the last three, one specimen ; and of the re- 

 mainder, two. 



The first experiment was made with a view of obtaining a rough ap- 

 proximation to the value of each description of wood. The second was 

 conducted with more care. Those woods of which specimens could 

 not be obtained of greater scantling than 1 T %- inch square were sub- 

 jected in the first place to a strain of 3 cwt., applied at the centre point. 

 After an hour the weight was removed, and the eifect of the pressure 

 on the elasticity, if any, was noted. To those woods which the first 

 trial had indicated to be superior, an additional 28 lbs. was now ap- 



