47 



•Was shown from the hull of the stoamei- " William the Fourth," and properly 

 certified. With the exception of some slight charring on the mere surface of 

 the timber in the immediate vicinity of the boilers, the entire fabric of this 

 vessel i,s as substantial and sound as when she was built in the year 1830 

 (thirty-one years' wear). If the above statements as to the life of !:?potte(J 

 Gum be examined (and reference to the evidence will show that other in- 

 stances of long life of the timber can be quoted), no doubt can remain that, 

 under the circumstances alluded to, Spotted Gum Is a very durable timber ; in 

 fact, that it is one of the most durable of our timbers for the purposes stated. 



2. Strength, Toughness, and Elasticity. 

 We have alreiuly dealt with this in speaking of the fitness of Spotted Gum 

 for coachbuilders' purposes, &c. 



3. Capacity for Bending. 



This is readily admitted, and advantage is taken of this property, Tyhiclj 

 Spotted Gum possesses in a high degree, by the coachbuilder. 



4. Lightness. 

 This is also a great advantage for light vehicles. Throughout the western 

 district the coachbuilders purchase, at great expense, for cartage and railway 

 freight, Spotted Gum for buggy and waggon building, no other available 

 timber having the same elasticity and toughness. 



5. Easy Workmg. 



It gives a clean face, takes paint readily, and when at all seasoned before 

 putting in work does not warp or twist, particularly in buggy shafts and 

 poles. 



6. Evenness of Quality. 



This is an important question, all timber showing large gum-veing (or dip- 

 coloured in, appearance), or carrying any sap whatever, should be rejected. 

 Timber must be cut from fully-matured trees, absolutely free from heart or 

 heart-shakes and sap. Shipments should be uniform in colour, from one dis- 

 trict if possible, and as free from veins as possible. For home railway waggon 

 sizes, it should be specially selected. We feel confident if this is done it will 

 at once command the attention of English engineers. 



7. Large Sizes readily obtainable. 



This is borne out by the heights and girths given by various correspondents 

 in reply to question 19. 



S. Comparative freedom from pipe. 



This is more particularly applicable to southern Spotted Gum, and we do 

 not know that it can be altogether considered to be an advantage. Freedom 

 from pipe means presence of heart, inferior timber in regard to which special 

 care is, or should be, taken to remove. 



We do not recommend it for square girders, as it shells in square sizes 

 under sun exposure. 



(6) Disadvantages (as stated hi) various correspondents). 



1. Liability to warp and twist, 



2. Inclination to split. 



3. Liability to attack by white ants. 



4. Great thickness of worthless sapwoocl, 



5. Presence of gum-veins. 



1. Liability to Warp and Twist (Irregular shrinking). 



If the timber Is cut when the sap is down, and allowed to season without 

 exposure to, the sun, it shrinks evenly, but if exposed to sun, and cut full of 

 sap in small sizes, free of heart it twists from the heart out, — that is to say, 

 it curves, with the heart side on the circumference. 



Opinions are nearly equally divided, but tlie balance of opinion is in favour 

 of Spotted Gum not shrinking more than colonial hardwoods usually do. 



