532 Proceedings. 
Dr. Buller said that it was gratifying to find one of the members taking up this 
branch of zoology, and he hoped the author would continue his useful work. 
6. ** Notes and Suggestions on the Utilization of certain neglected New 
Zealand Timbers,” by T. Kirk, F.L.5. (Transactions, p. 458.) 
Mr. Field was glad that attention had been drawn to this subject. He had been 
assured by a French gentleman now preparing a work on the subject, that a ready market 
could be found for these ornamental timbers in Paris. 
Mr. J. T. Thomson considered that great difficulty would be experienced in preserving 
our timbers. The settlers do not care about moving in the matter, and if done at all it 
must be done by Government. It would, he thought, be difficult to utilize these timbers 
to the extent pointed out. He did not think the destruction to our forests was so great 
as was supposed; the blue gum would in a great measure replace them 
Dr. Buller gathered from the paper that what the author particularly wished to 
advocate was the establishment of a trade in ornamental timbers between New Zealand 
and Europe; and from his experience he thought there would be no difficulty whatever 
in carrying this out. The conservation of the forests would follow as a matter of course 
Mr. Knorpp stated that he had been enabled to bring these timbers prominently 
before the continental people, as he had exhibited a piece of work at the Paris Exhibition, 
made by Mr. Seuffert, of Auckland, and he understood that it had been so much admired 
that it had been awarded a medal. He had a considerable quantity of rewarewa and 
totara knots now in Wellington, which he would gladly give up to anyone who woul 
ertake to send them either to Paris or London as an experiment, and he would assist 
them in any way he could in opening up a trade in this direction 
R. E. Brown asked if the white pine cut fresh here, and sent away, would 
still be subject to the destructive insect ; and the author explained that he was of opinion 
that the insect only attacked white pine that was cut out of season. Mr. Kirk further 
stated in reply that he did not think any amount of planting we could do should prevent 
us from conserving our forests. 
There were no forests of blue gum that he knew of to 
make up for the destruction. 
No opposition on the part of settlers should prevent the 
forests being protected. It must be done sooner or later, and the sooner the better for 
all concerned. 
The aE admitted that the destruction was great, but agreed with Mr. 
Thom the difficulty of stopping it. An able report had been made on 
the sack by aroi Campbell-Walker, but nothing had come of it. If it were looked 
at as the property of the whole colony, then something might be done. He did not think 
dry rot could be stopped, unless the timber were floated; he found that answer in 
None of the plans for preserving timber mentioned would, he thought, be Peseres 
except the applieation of creosote, and that was too expensive. The beauty of New 
Zealand timber had been exaggerated. None P it could compare with mahogany, walnut, 
and several others. He did not think so much of the kauri as others did. The high rate 
of interest is against the establishment of a timber trade, as proposed, between this and 
other countries. 
e Chairman drew attention to casts of 2 Maori idol, procured from the natives in 
the North by Sir George Grey, which was very interesting owing to its bearing such & 
resemblance to idols found in other islands far from New Zealand. 
Mr. John Kebbell also explained the working of a gas-lamp which he had constructed 
with a view to enabling one uniform temperature to be kept up in any room. 
The lamp in question had been prepared for the clockroom at the Observatory. = 
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