T. Kirk. — On the Utilization of Xeiv Zealand Timbers. 461 



per cubic foot, and might expect to obtain from one shilling and sixpence 

 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. But a 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 woiild 

 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 threepence 

 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-knovv^u 

 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 list of the various local timbers 

 adapted for furniture work or other special purposes, as particulars may be 

 found in the report on the durabihty 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 



