^5 REPORTS OF MEETINGS. 



[tpxU tf §\uih\p. 



GEN ERAL 



THE first evening meeting of the year was on January 6th, 1876. 

 Mr. C. Dunn read the followirig paper on " New Zealand Woods." 



The native woods of any country add to its prosperity : they form a source 

 of wealth, and oftentimes of health. The native woods of New Zealand are 

 possibly not generally known, so that a few minutes spent in going over one 

 of the most complete collections of polished woods ever sent from the shores 

 •f New Zealand vsrill not be lost time,* 



The collection of woods before us are from the Province of Auckland, and 

 the description given was for the main part written on the spot, at Arewa, 

 where the timber was felled and the specimens prepared and polished. 



No. I. — 'KatMTi ( Dammara Australis.) The Dammar pine; natural order, 

 Coniferae. "King of the Forest." — This tree grows to perfection in the 

 Province cf Auckland: 180 feet in height, 12 feet in diameter, and 36 feet 

 in circumference. Every house in the province is built of this wood; and in 

 Government contracts no other is allowed. Deck planking is cut 80 feet 

 long and 3 feet wide. This wood possesses superiority over all others, 

 whether British or foreign, because it is without a knot, and is easily worked 

 with plane or saw. Nos. 1 and 2 are used for building purposes ; also for 

 fencing, which will last good for 25 years without a sign of rot. These 

 trees furnish the finest masts in the navy, and ship-loads are annually 

 •xported to supply spars for the Eoyal dockyards. Kauri resin exudes from 



* This collection is now placed in the Bristol Museum. 



