142 



T replied expressing doubt lest an odorous wood, of the nature of Rose- 

 v ood, would affect the bouquet of wines stored in it. In reply, Mr. Bawden 

 wrote : 



With regard to the Rosewood for casks. I have the assurance, in addition to 

 my own large experience, of one who has heen engaged in wine-making in this 

 district for the past thirty years, that the wood does not give any taste to the 

 vine. Might I suggest an experiment of a small piece of seasoned Rosewood 

 placed in a bottle of wine for a few months? Should the Rosewood turn out 

 as I believe it will, there are large quantities of it in this district. 



I venture to express the hope that those who have tried Rosewood for 

 v/i ne-casks will relate their experience, and that tho.se will test it who have 

 facilities for so doing and have not yet done so. It is high time that, such 

 mi important matter was settled. I should also like to see exhaustive tests 

 made of the Red Bean (D. Muelleri), which may be described as a scentless 

 Rosewood. 



Drawbacks to the Timber. 



1. Its Oily Nature. A drawback to this undoubtedly valuable timber is 

 tho circumstance that it takes glue with difficulty, owing', perhaps, to some 

 oleaginous substance in it. 



It is unsuitable for instrument cases. The following report sent in to the 

 Public Works Department explains the matter: 



A 5-inch theodolite was sent in for repairs, supply of some parts, and new 

 case, from Lands Department. New case was made of well-seasoned Colonial 

 Rosewood by Government Architect's Workshop, the new parts of the instru- 

 ment were bronzed and lacquered in the usual way. the other portion of the 

 instrument merely cleaned, and delivered to the Lands Department on < V-/ r >~'- 

 After about three months the whole of the instrument was observed to be 

 sticky, and was subsequently returned to be cleaned off, rebron/.ed and 

 relacquered, which was done accordingly, and returned to Lands Department 

 on 5/7/05. Then again, it was reported to be sticky on the 2S/S 'Or>. becoming 

 similar to what it was before. A small box was made of a piece of the same 

 vyood, and a piece of brass tube bronzed and lacquered was placed in it on 

 30/8/05, and after about three months it was found to be quite sticky. 



A similar thing has happened to another 5-inch theodolite, for which a new 

 rase was made of Colonial Rosewood for tjie Public Works Department on 

 35/3/05, and after lying in store was noticed to be the same on 1/5/00 (original 

 lacquer affected). 



Also on a parellel ruler that was placed in a Colonial Rosewood case. 



Rosewood belongs to a group of plants called the Meliacca?, certain of 

 Vihich contain an essential oil (in which is dissolved a resin) in their timber. 

 At the ordinary temperature of the air, and more readily on the application 

 of heat, this 'solution of resin in oil evaporates and the resin is condensed 

 on any cool surface, preferably on metal or other conductor of .heat. 



King George HI had a valuable watch which caused his watchmaker a 

 pood deal of trouble, when it was found that His Majesty often put it in a 

 drawer made of odoriferous wood, the resin contained in which clogged the 

 works. 



The subject is worthy of exhaustive investigation which, so far as I am 

 n-.vare, it has not yet received. Meantime, so far as Rosewood is concerned, 

 instruments should be kept in Red Cedar boxes. 



