91 



a large size, associated with Txerba brexioides, A. Cunn., and Phyllocladus 

 glauca, both of which attain their maximum of growth at about 2000 feet, 

 although found in abundance at a greater elevation ; in fact they occur on the 

 highest peaks, together with Dracophyllum Traversii, Hook, f., Archeria 

 racemosa, Hook, f, Griselinia littoralis, Raoul., Dacrydiu/m Colensoi, Hook, f, 

 Panax Colensoi, Hook. £, and many others of greater vertical range. 

 Although from the steep character and ridge-like form of these ranges, water 

 cannot, in some places, be obtained at an altitude of more than 1 200 feet, yet 

 the abundance and luxuriance of the mosses and hepaticse, which clothe the 

 summits, attest an atmosphere continually charged with moisture. 



The trees and shrubs that have been utilized either as timber for house or 

 ship-building, or for fencing, are the Kauri, Rimu, Totara, Miro, Beech or 

 Black-birch, Manuka, Rawiri, Buriri, Bohutukawa, Rata (Metrosideros robusta, 

 A. Cunn.), Tawa, and more rarely, the Tanekaha, Tawari (Txerba brexioides, 

 A. Cunn.), and Toro. The utilization of the Beech, affords a marked extension 

 of the economical range of the genus to which it belongs, as, although largely 

 used in the South, its timber is usually neglected in this part of the colony, 

 although its bark is occasionally sent to the tan yards. It is now being 

 largely used in the construction of the Moanataiari tramway, which will afford 

 a good opportunity of testing its durability. 



While on this subject, I may remark, the waste of timber on some parts 

 of the field has been excessive, and will be severely felt by the miners at no 

 distant period. The Kauri has been preserved to a great extent, as the sum 

 of twenty-five shillings is reqiiired for each tree cut down. The Bohutukawa, 

 which from its value to the ship-builder, has contributed largely to the progress 

 of this part of the colony, is without the benefit of protection, and has been in 

 some cases recklessly cut down for firewood, a proceeding which is said to have 

 been commented upon by the Maoris. Although confessedly difficult, it would 

 seem not impracticable to prevent this wanton destruction of valuable timber, 

 by legislative enactment ; it is certainly desirable, in the interest of the miners 

 themselves, no less than in that of the colony at large. 



Naturalized plants are to be found in great abundance in all situations, 

 except on the highest ranges. The most common forms are identical with 

 those found to the north of the Waitemata, and occur in nearly the same 

 proportion, as will be seen from the following list, which is arranged in the 

 order of their relative abundance over the entire district : — 



Erigeron canadensis, L. 

 Hypoeharis radicata, L. 

 Armgallis arvensis, L. 

 Medicago denticulata, Willcl. 

 Lolium peremie, L. 

 Euphorbia Peplus, L. 

 Eumex obtusifolius, L. 

 Plantago major, L. 

 Helminthia echioides, Gaert. 

 Briza minor, L. 



The most notable exception in the above list is the Milk-weed {Euphorbia 

 Peplus, L.), which in many northern districts, would rank second or third on 

 the list, instead of sixth ; the position of one or two species in the list, might 

 possibly be altered by an examination of the district in December, instead of 

 April. The former extent of native cultivations is attested by the common 

 occurrence of the Tara (Coloeasia esculenta, Scholl.), and several of the culti- 

 vated fruits of Europe, the peach, cherry, fig, vine, raspberry, strawberry, all 

 of which are propagating themselves without the assistance of man, and are 



o 



