xvi FORESTS 161 



steps have been taken by them to develop their con- 

 cession, if concession there be. It is by no means 

 improbable that no definite proposals have ever been 

 put before them to accept or decline. They appear, 

 however, to answer the same useful purpose as Mr. 

 Jorkins in choking off others who are genuinely anxious 

 to develop. Some two years ago there was a some- 

 what foolish and quite impracticable scheme for floating 

 logs, or, rather, apparently sawn timber, down into the 

 Tana ; and at this time a local syndicate was 

 approached with the offer of a concession. Since 

 then it is understood that further negotiations with 

 other parties have taken place. Mr. Jorkins, however, 

 still hovers, Sphinx-like, in the background. It is 

 seriously hoped that in the near future a definite 

 understanding may be arrived at with one or other of 

 the interested parties, and that work of some sort may 

 be initiated. 



The following are the characteristics of our principal 

 timbers : — 



Podocarpus Thunbergii and P. gracilior, the 

 former of which is much the more common, are hardly 

 distinguishable from the yellow-wood of South Africa. 

 It is first-class wood for house building, and also, when 

 creosoted, for sleepers, while it is unsurpassed as a 

 flooring board. It must, however, be treated to last 

 out of doors, and is not a resistant to white ants. 



Cedar (Juniperus procerd) is probably the most 

 valuable tree that grows naturally in the Protectorate. 

 It is first-class for house building, floors, roofs, &c. 

 It lasts both indoors and out, is disliked by all insects 

 and more especially by white ants. It is easily worked 

 and is splendid fuel. As, further, it is practically 

 indistinguishable from the cedar that supplies our 



M 



