Stewakt. — On Growth of certain Native Trees. 375 



the increase of growth from that time in other than a general 

 way. 



As forty years have now elapsed since these trees were planted 

 by Mr. Chalmers in 1865, it was thought to be a good time for 

 further inspection, and I undertook, at the request of the Council, 

 to measure and locate for future reference the various trees in 

 the plantation. This work, on examination, proved to be one 

 of more magnitude than was anticipated. The plantation ex- 

 tends in a nearly north and south direction almost an eighth 

 of a mile, and occupies a width in the valley of 50 ft. to 60 ft., 

 excepting at the southern end, where the trees are more scat- 

 tered. A dense undergrowth (since cleared off) rendered the 

 work of survey all the more troublesome. In all, the positions 

 of ninety-six pines and two rewarewas were fixed by systematic 

 survey, and their girths measured at 2 ft. above ground. The 

 heights of fifteen of these were accurately measured, all as ex- 

 isting on the 1st June, 1905. 



The situation is in a comparatively sheltered valley in which 

 is a small but permanent stream. The surface soil is dark and 

 heavy, and is partly alluvium from the volcanic basins forming 

 the upper levels of the domain. The subsoil is a hard yellow 

 clay. The conditions, on the whole, are very similar to the 

 more fertile forests, such as Waitakerei, where kauri and mixed 

 bush are found in perfection. The trees, without exception, 

 present a healthy appearance, and have been for forty years in 

 the normal conditions of the " bush." 



On the plan herewith is recorded the position and species of 

 each of these trees, and their girths in feet and inches. A series 

 of totara pegs, numbered 1 to 9, are placed, from one or other 

 of which the distance in feet and direction of every tree is shown. 

 The magnetic bearings and distances of the traverse pegs are 

 given, and the whole of the observations have been plotted on 

 strong mounted paper, enclosed in a tin case, and deposited in 

 the Auckland Museum. This record should, in the future, and 

 from time to time, enable any of these trees to be identified, 

 their dimensions compared, and rate of growth determined. 



The trees shown on the plan consist of — totara, 12 ; kauri, 

 18 ; rimu, 36 ; miro, 8 ; tanekaha, 15 ; kahikatea, 7 ; and 

 rewarewa, 2. The only pine not represented is matai. The 

 heights of the fifteen, as measured, average— kauri, 41 ft. 8 in., 

 girth 3 ft, 1 in. ; rimu, 44 ft., girth 2 ft. 6 in. ; totara, 40 ft. 

 8 in., girth 3 ft. 1 in. ; miro (one only), 32 ft. 10 in., girth 2 ft. 

 4 in. ; kahikatea (one only), 43 ft. 3 in., girth 2 ft. 11 in. ; rewa- 

 rewa, 43 ft. 2 in., girth 3 ft. 



It will be observed that, allowing for the probable size when 

 planted, the average rate of growth for the first forty years in 



