16 



Principal uses. — For such purpoBes as a durable timber is required. Tor 

 posts in the ground, and for use in culverts, it is all but imperishable. _ The 

 great drawback to this timber is its liability to gum-veins, but in spite of 

 this, I include it in the present list, as I look upon much of the prejudice 

 against bloodwood as unreasonable. It would be unacceptable for export, 

 as we have abundance of better timbers, but I certainly think it ought 

 to be used more than it is where readily available. I would encourage its 

 use by public oificers for fencing, culverts, wharves, &c. Where not too 

 defective, I should look upon it as an ideal timber for wood-paving. By too 

 defective I refer to cases where the timber shells too much ; but the presence 

 of gum-veins of moderate width in timbers such as this, and grey gum, 

 I would not look upon as an important defect in wood-blocks, as this astrin- 

 gent " gum" tends to preserve the block rather than injure it. I have seen 

 timber rejected for wood-blocks because of gum-scabs and gum-veins, which 

 would, of course, be inadmissible in a furniture wood, for instance, but which 

 would in no vvay be detrimental to a wood-pavement. The scrupulous care 

 which is insisted upon in some contracts to reject wood-blocks because of 

 gum-veins, sometimes degenerates into mere faddism, and it is only possible 

 to select so severely, because at present we have an enormous timber supply 

 to fall back upon. I would, therefore, recommend the framing of wood- 

 block contracts in such a way as to allow the inspecting ofiicer some latitude 

 in dealing with timber containing gum-veins. Occasionally, bloodwood is 

 found pretty free from gum-veins, or the veins are wide apart. When this 

 is the case it is sometimes cut up for lining-boaids in country districts. 



Distribution. — Coast districts and Blue Mountains. 



Quantify available. — Pairly plentiful. 



4. TURPENTINE AND BRUSH-BOX. 



Turpentine {Syncarpia laurifolia, Ten.) 



(An illustrated article descriptive of this timber will be found in the AgrkuHiiral Gazette 

 for July, 1894. A subsequent report has also been furnished to the Minister in 

 regard to the. immunity of this timber from cobra ( Teredo) when used for piling, 

 and will shortly be published in the Agricultural Gazette, 



Name. — Prom the resinous exudation which flows from between the bark 

 and the wood when the timber is cut into. It is an unfortunate name, as it 

 suggests inflammability, and turpentine is one of the most uninflammable of 

 timbers. In some districts the fresh red-coloured turpentine is called " red 

 turpentine" to distinguish it from the chocolate or dark-brown coloured 

 timber known as " black turpentine." They are the same timber, the latter 

 being either over-matured, or suffering from incipient decay. 



Characteristics. — In colour it is usually dull red, but it varies to brown or 

 purple-brown, as already mentioned. It has very little figure. It requires 

 careful seasoning. It dulls the saws. Its chief recommendation is its 

 durability, resisting decay in the ground, whether from white ant or other 

 causes, while it is one of the best timbers we have for resisting marine borers, 

 especially if the bark be intact. It is very difficult to burn, a great recom- 

 mendation to its use in buildings. It will thus be seen that the properties 

 of turpentine, those at least which give it its value, are mostly of a negative 

 character. 



Principal uses. — Chiefly for piles for bridges, wharfs, and jetties. They 

 should be driven with the bark intact, as much of its power of resistance to 

 cobra, &c., is apparently due to the presence of a layer of oleo-resin between 



