28 TIMBER 
is largely exported for the manufacture of varnishes, 
is produced and forms an important article of commerce. 
The colony was doubtless heavily timbered with 
these great trees in its early days but, unfortunately, 
forest fires, many probably started with a view to 
clearing the land for settlement, and ruthless waste in 
other directions, have so depleted the country that, 
with a great demand springing up for this wood from 
Great Britain and the neighbouring sister colony of 
Australia, a visible exhaustion of the supplies is in 
sight. . 
The tree grows to admirable proportions, many 
butts in the shipment that first arrived—a_ sail- 
ing cargo of round logs—having been up to about 
7 ft. in diameter. These, as noted, were unsquared 
logs, but all consignments since received have been 
in the form of converted planks or boards, exceedingly 
well sawn and of good specifications. 
The wood is of whitish-brown colour, fine, smooth 
and silky in texture, and is notable for its even-wearing 
properties and—for a pine—its general durability. 
It is practically free from defects and highly esteemed 
as a material for many purposes, but particularly for 
the deck planks and fittings of yachts and other boats. 
New Zealand Pine.—This, another wood of New 
Zealand growth, was introduced to the notice of con- 
sumers in the United Kingdom somewhere about 
1900—1912. The tree is known as Kahikatea in the 
colony, grows to good proportions, and supplies a 
useful wood. 
It is yellowish-white, in colour, of soft but firm and 
even texture, splits very readily, and if not properly 
cut and seasoned is liable to warp, twist and become 
discoloured; it is moreover not at all durable for 
outside purposes. 
