Lecoy. — The Forest Question in New Zealand, 



21 



of the above classification, this timber, it may be confidently asserted, would 

 attain a commercial value above that of oak. Birch, tawa, etc., could also 

 advantageously replace oak in many of its special and essential uses on the 

 same level as to prices. 



The market value of New Zealand timbers in the colony, as compared 

 with that which they should reach in the European markets, can only be 

 given as the result of personal observation, inquiries, etc. 



Home Pbiobs. 



Prices Abeoad. 



Per 100 superficial 

 feet. 

 1st class timbers, from .* 12s. to 21s. 



2nd „ ,, „ .. 7s. ,, 15s. 



3rd „ „ „ .. 7s. „ 15s. 



Per 100 superficial 

 feet. 

 1st class timbers, from . . £3 10s. to £8 Os. 



2nd „ „ ,, .. £2 10s. „ £3 10s. 



3rd „ „ „ . . £2 Os. „ £2 10s. 



The prompt success of our timber ex^jort trade in Europe will mainly 

 depend on proper discrimination as to the individual adaptability of the 

 wood, and when its rexDutation is well established, there would be no fear 

 of any diminution of the demand for it, nor of unsuccessful competition 

 with identical timbers from any other parts of the world. 



Although the merits of the Dunedin experiments cannot be contested, 

 they may not be found of much advantage for the purpose of establishing 

 abroad the reputation of New Zealand timbers. Experiments, to have the 

 effect of comparing the intrinsic value of our timbers with that of any 

 standard wood abroad, should be made in the country where a good 

 market is expected to be found. 



The difficulty to be encountered abroad for the sale of our forest produce 

 will be this : The timber merchant may well admit the superior value of our 

 timbers, and at the same time refrain from giving orders for it, on the 

 groimd that he has his own stock to dispose of ; that he has no demand for 

 rimu or puriri, and that he cannot undertake to make a reputation, and 

 thus create a demand, for unknown timbers. The same objections will be 

 repeated at every wholesale house where the timber may be offered for sale. 

 Another side of the question is that, in order to secure its full success, the 

 exportation of New Zealand timber should be undertaken on a large scale. 



In France, a means may be found for at once establishing, on an indis- 

 putable ground, the reputation of New Zealand timbers. The " Conservatoire 

 cles Arts et Metiers,'' at Paris, is a public institution of great European 

 renown. Science, in its apiDlication to the industrial arts and agriculture, 

 is there demonstrated by eminent professors. The establishment possesses 

 an ample supply of apparatus and machinery of all kinds, water and steam 

 power, etc., intended for the purpose of testing the merits or properties of 

 any new process or natural product having a character of general interest, 



