AUSTRALASIA. 



NEW ZEALAND. 



NATIVE WOODS. 



The principal woods are here mentioned in the order of their useful- 

 ness and value. It has been ascertained beyond question that certain 

 native timbers possess greater durability when grown in particular sit- 

 uations than in others. For example, north of the Auckland isthmus 

 a native tree, known as hinau, affords a small proportion of heartwcod? 

 and is therefore considered of little value ; in the province of Welling- 

 ton the proportion of heartwood in the same tree is large, and the tim- 

 ber is highly valued for its durability. The Northern rata (Metrosideros 

 robustd), one of the most useful woods in New Zealand, when grown in 

 moist places produces timber of an inferior quality to that grown in 

 ordinary situations, being liable to dry rot; in fact, the fungus is often 

 found on this timber, grown in moist places, before it is cut down. It 

 is well known that kahikatea (white pine), grown in dry places, affords 

 more durable timber than when grown in swamps; although, at the 

 same time, inferior to much of the swamp timber for bearing transverse 

 strains. This rule applies pretty generally to nearly all the native 

 woods grown in swamp lands here. 



In view of the importance of having in all cases suitable timber for 

 public works, it is advisable that it should be cut down under the 

 direction of some competent person, so that unsuitable timber, whether 

 defective from having grown in situations not naturally adapted for the 

 particular kind required, or from not having arrived at maturity, might 

 be rejected at the outset, thereby insuring against poor material and 

 guaranteeing the most satisfactory results. 



The names of the different trees herewith, falling as far as the order 

 could be maintained, are given as follows : English names first, native 

 names second, and botanical names third. In most cases the English 

 and native names are the same. 



Kauri (Dammara Australis). The kauri is certainly the finest tree 

 in New Zealand, and produces by far the most valuable timber. It is, 

 however, restricted to the northern part of the north island, and does 

 not occur in any quantity south of latitude 38, although solitary trees 

 are met with a little further south. It attains a height of 120 to 160 



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