25 



(f) Maiden's Blush {Echinocarpus australis, Benth.) 



A soft, durable brusH timber, useful for turnery and ordinary carpentry 

 purposes. It is of a delicate rosy colour wten freshly cut, but this fades 

 into a brownish colour. It is found principally on the northern rivers, and 

 may be had in fair quantity. This and coachwood may be taken as types 

 of our useful non-figured brush timbers, a little harder than pine, and used 

 for many miscellaneous purposes. 



(g) Red Ash {AlpMtonia excelsa, Reissek.) 



Although not one of our commonest timbers, I draw attention to this 

 timber because of the peculiarity of its colouring. When a log is first cut, 

 it resembles ordinary ash in colour, and for some time no change is per- 

 ceptible. After a time it gradually assumes a reddish colour, which deepens 

 for two or three years, by which time it has assumed a fiery red appearance. 

 This colouration is superficial, and may be removed by the plane, but its 

 depth of tint again returns in process of time. It is very ornamental. 



(h) Saxifragese. 



This natural order contains a large number of trees, some of good size. 

 Their characteristics are absence of figure (they, therefore, could not be used 

 for ornamental work), freedom in working, little tendency to split in 

 seasoning. They comprise useful timbers, which are chiefly used locally, 

 and, as their qualities become better known, they will have extended use in 

 the Colony. I do not anticipate that they will be in much demand for 

 export purposes, except for such special objects as gun-stocks. 



They include such timbers as "corkwood" {Ackama Muellert),, "coach- 

 wood" {Oeratopetalum apetalum), a timber which I am assured by a leading 

 coach-builder, is one of the most valuable timbers in the Colony for coach- 

 building. 



