69 
Its principal uses are for general building purposes and for fencing, as it is 
a very durable timber. It is an excellent timber for wood-paving, but while not 
depreciating its value in this direction for a moment, I would point out there is 
just a little danger of our forgetting the merits of other valuable paving timbers. 
Red mahogany is often sold as jarrah, which it closely resembles, and for which 
I believe it is a perfect substitute. But there are fashions and fads in paving 
blocks, as in many other things, and European users of our hardwoods should be 
reminded that we have a number of other meritorious timbers to offer them. It is 
of a handsome colour, and works up well. It may be recommended for large turned 
work, and for heavy furniture. It is useful for weather-boards (very few are now 
made because of galvanised iron). It makes the best of shingles; it does not 
discolour paint, which remains intact until it peels off, and, as it does not affect the 
water, it should be used when slabbing for wells is required. It looks very well as 
skirting boards and banister rails, &c., and lasts well in the ground. 
This is one of the most valuable hardwoods of the State. It is a grand 
furniture wood where its weight is not against it. Visiting furniture experts have 
been more taken with this timber, as a rule, than with any other Australian 
hardwood. There is a future before Red Mahogany. It is one of the most durable 
timbers we have, being greatly resistant to damp and the attacks of white ants. 
Mr. Hill, speaking of Queensland timber many years ago, states that it is used for 
piles, and it is said to resist the action of cobra. We want further evidence in the 
direction. It burns with difficulty, and is hence preferred for fencing. It is used 
for ship’s knees, shingles, posts, and general building purposes. Rafters of this 
wood were removed in 1852 from St. John’s Church, Parramatta (erected in 1795), 
and were found to be in perfect condition. It is an even grained timber, which 
works easily, and hence is one of the favourite hardwoods of carpenters. The 
notes on Ironbark tree (E. resinifera ) in Laslett’s work on timbers do not belong 
to E. resinifera at all, but probably to E. sideropliloia. Professor Warren made 
determinations of the specific gravities of two specimens of this timber, which, in 
1887, weighed 75'06 and 7223 lb. per cubic foot respectively. Three years later 
hey weighed 62'21 and 6223 lb. per cubic foot respectively. 
In the very early days of settlement—that is to say, during the first decade 
of the nineteenth century—some red mahogany was cut from the bush, perhaps in 
the neighbourhood of Sydney itself, and along with three other logs, each some 
15 feet or 18 feet in length, was shipped as a sample of New South Wales hardwood 
to England. The wood was put on board a vessel known as the “ Boyd,” which is 
believed to have been a brig of some 500 tons register. The c ‘ Boyd ” sailed for 
New Zealand, where she purjDosed loading kauri gum for the Cape in the year 1809, 
having on board seventy white people and a number of Maoris, also a very valuable 
cargo. In Wliangaroa harbour, however, a terrible fate awaited the ship and her 
crew. The “ Boyd ” fell into the hands of the Maoris, and the unfortunate white 
people on board, with the exception of four—two women and two children—were 
