T. Kme, On the Utilization of New Zealend Timbers. 461 
per cubic foot, and might expect to obtain from one shilling and sixpenco 
to two shillings per foot cube. Freight to England would cost another 
shilling, so that while yielding a handsome profit to the settler, the rewa- 
rewa could be sold in London at rates equally low with those of other 
woods of similar or even inferior quality, Buta still higher rate of profit 
might occasionally be obtained; in all ornamental woods exceptionally 
figured planks fetch higher prices than the ordinary forms, and this would 
often be the case with rewa-rewa, and timbers of a similar quality. There 
can be no question that, in a large number of cases, timbers of this kind 
would defray the first cost of the land and leave a considerable surplus, 
instead of being simply a source of expense as at present. 
I would venture to suggest that some of our leading merchants might 
render good service to the community, at little or no risk to themselves, by 
shipping a marketable parcel of rewa-rewa and similar woods to London; 
doubtless, many persons could be found who would gladly supply planks at 
a much less price than I have named; for example, the Karori settlers 
engaged in cutting firewood, either leave rewa-rewa on the ground to perish, 
or deteriorate their general sample of firewood by mixing rewa-rewa with it, 
and selling the whole at about sixteen shillings the half-cord, or threepenco 
per cubic foot. An offer to purchase all the planking they could bring, at 
about one shilling per cubic foot, would ensure a sufficient supply to enable 
the market to be tested with but little risk to the shippers. Possibly, a few 
settlers might combine to prepare a parcel for shipment, and divide the 
profits; but in either case it would be advisable to have the parcel, on its 
arrival in London, submitted at a minimum price to some well-known 
wholesale furniture manufacturer, or have it offered at one of the large 
periodical timber sales, taking care to have the qualities and uses of the 
woods clearly stated. 
It is unnecessary to offer a complete listof the various local timbers 
adapted for furniture work or other special purposes, as particulars may be 
found in the report on the durability of native timbers published by the 
Public Works Department, as well as in Captain J. Campbell Walker’s 
report on the organization of a forest department for New Zealand. I 
would, however, especially draw attention to the toro, tipau, mapau, and 
ngaio as valuable timbers, plentiful in certain districts, but at present only 
utilized for firewood. 
But we have vast quantities of timber which do not possess sufficient 
durability to allow their being used for out-of-door work, although capable of 
being saturated with some preservative solution at a small cost, and thus 
made available for general purposes. Conspicuous amongst timbers of this 
class are the kahikatea and the tawa, The former is common throughout the 
