98 THE TIMBER OF TASMANIA. — BLUE GUM. 



It has been used to a considerable extent in the construction of Victorian 

 railways, and other public works ; indeed, it will be found in the structure 

 of thousands of public and private buildings in the chief cities and towns of 

 Australia and New Zealand. But we are in a position to supply the whole 

 world, if the whole world would only deal with us. Tbe enormous con- 

 sumption of timber now going on in railways alone must soon make the 

 question of supply worthy of the most serious consideration ; and surely, 

 then, the inexhaustible forests of this hard wood, now lying despised and 

 useless in Tasmania, cannot be, and ought not to be, a matter of indifference 

 to railway contractors and others immediately interested in railways. 



Then, again, in addition to supplying an article superior in quality, that 

 is in durability, to any timber hitherto employed, we can do this on terms 

 as reasonable, if not more reasonable, than any other country. This is an 

 argument which generally carries some weight with it. All the banks of 

 our noble rivers are fringed with some of the most stupendous and magni- 

 ficent trees in the world. Ships of any conceivable tonnage could lay along- 

 side and load with timber without the slightest risk or inconvenience. The 

 saw-mills at Oyster Cove, and the Strathblane establishment at Port 

 Esperance, have been erected in positions to facilitate the conveyance of 

 cut timber to the water's edge. Tramways have been laid down, and 

 jetties have been built ; indeed, every difficulty which presented itself has 

 been overcome, and all that we now want is a market. In England, in 

 Frauce, in Germany, and in India such a market exists we know. Tenders 

 were invited a short time since, in a public journal in Launceston, by a 

 gentleman residing on the northern side of this island, and who is acting as 

 agent for others, for the supply of an immense quantity of railway sleepers 

 for India. This was the first tender ever invited in this colony, and many, 

 on that account, but more especially on account of the magnitude of the 

 contract — involving about <£4, 000,000 sterling — were credulous as to its 

 being a bonajide transaction. At all events, it is consolatory to know that 

 an offer has been made by the principal merchants engaged in the timber 

 trade to supply India with the whole quantity required ; and that, too, at a 

 price for which no other country could afford to supply timber of the same 

 quality, even if it had timber of the same quality to supply. Should this 

 contract be accepted by the Indian Government, we shall need no other 

 advertisement. 



Several of our homeward-bound wool ships have taken specimens of 

 railway sleepers with them to England. If this were known, contrac- 

 tors, and those interested in railways, might think it worth their while to 

 inspect the article we now offer, and form their own judgment regarding its 

 value. Ships, for a mere nominal freight, would gladly ballast with these 

 sleepers, instead of with stone, as at present. Indeed, it would pay them 

 better to do so. If we can only secure a hearing, therefore, amongst men 

 who are mixed up with railway matters, and induce them to examine these 

 sleepers and to practically test their quality for themselves, we shall have 

 succeeded in accomplishing the only object at which we now aim. England 



