120 AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 



Large vessels are not often built in this country, the shipbuilding 

 being practically confined to large- sized schooners and the smaller craft 

 generally. 



Eailway building is very limited at present and has been since the 

 colony has ceased to borrow. There are no new lines projected, nor is 

 there any likelihood that there will be for some time to come. There 

 are, however, several extensions in course of construction or comple- 

 tion, but even these are not being pushed very vigorously, being largely 

 utilized for the purpose of affording work for the real needy and deserv- 

 ing laborers found in the ranks of the unemployed. 



EXTENSION OF LUMBER TRADE. 



I regret my utter inability to offer any practicable suggestions as to 

 the best means to be adopted to promote the sale of American lumber 

 in this colony at present. As already stated, there is a little demand 

 for Oregon pine, spruce, hickory, and ash, but I can not at present see 

 how sales can be increased unless the manufacturers of such timbers 

 are prepared to establish a general agency for the colony, and even 

 then they must be prepared to sustain a loss for a time. The woods 

 above mentioned are well known and their superiority fully appreciated, 

 but I question whether the establishment of an agency here, in conse- 

 quence of the limited population of the colony and the small demand 

 for such supplies, would pay. I merely offer the suggestion, but do not 

 recommend it. 



JNO. D. CONNOLLY, 



Consul. 

 AUCKLAND, February 24, 1894. 





NEW SOUTH WALES. 



NATIVE WOODS. 



The following list embraces, I think, the entire catalogue of what are 

 now recognized as the commercial timbers of New South Wales, classi- 

 fied by competent authority. The first is the botanical, the second, in 

 parenthesis, the vernacular name : 



Avicennia officinalis, Verbenacae (mangrove) : An erect, low branching tree ; timber 

 is valuable on account of its inlocked fiber; used for knees of boats, stone- 

 masons' mallets, and bullock yokes. Habitat, tidal estuaries, New South Wales. 

 Height, 20 to 30 feet ; diameter, 20 inches. 



Banksia integrifolia, Proteaceaj (honeysuckle) : Timber coarse grained and tough ; 

 used for knees and ribs of boats, bullock yokes, etc. ; takes a good polish. Hab., 

 open and scrub forests, northern and southern coast districts, New England, etc. ; 

 plentiful. Height, 40 to 50 feet; diameter, 1 to 2 feet. 



Casuarina glauca, Casuarinae (swamp oak): Timber tough and strong; used for 

 shingles, staves, and fence posts. Hab., interior and coast districts; usually in 

 damp situations; plentiful. Height, 60 to 80 feet; diameter, H to 2 feet. 



