ADDENDA, 
Page 1. Drimys axillaris, Forster. 
I learn from Mr. Colenso that this is the puhikawa of the northern Natives ; 
and Mr. C. Traill informs me that it is termed ‘‘ ramarama’’ by the Maoris on 
Stewart Island. 
Page 5. Podocarpus spicata, Rk. Brown. 
Mr. Colenso informs me that this is also termed ‘‘ mai” by the Natives. 
By the courtesy of Mr. W. N. Blair, Assistant Engineer to the Public 
Works Department, I have been allowed to examine a series of reports on the 
durability of matai from officers of the Public Works and Railway Departments 
in the South Island, also from architects, surveyors, and inspectors of county 
bridges. They afford very little additional information, but show a vast 
difference of opinion as to the value and durability of this timber. In some 
cases the reports state the kind of situation in which the timber was grown, and 
are of great value; in others this information is not given. 
Numerous opinions expressed in these reports amply confirm the statements 
in the test as to the actual value of matai, while others are directly antagonistic. 
Mr. W. Hay states that the heartwood of the Port Molyneux jetty is 
perfectly sound above and below high-water mark, although the piles are only 
about 12in. in diameter. The jetty was erected in 1864, examined in 1884. 
The Puerua Bridge was erected in 1860, and examined in 1884, when it was 
still carrying traffic: the heart was fairly sound after twenty-four years. The 
timber used in both structures grew on dry rocky ground at an altitude of 
between 4ooft. and 5o0oft. 
Mr. W. Smaill states that matai obtained from Tapanui will last at least 
twenty years in beams, but that Southland matai will only last from twelve to 
fifteen years. | 
Mr. James Hunter, Inspector of Permanent-way, Otago, states that survey- 
pegs of gin. x 2in. matai, driven in the Molyneux district, were sound and hard 
above and below ground, without any appearance of decay, after thirty-five 
years. 
Mr. Rennie, Inspector of County Bridges, Southland, found all bridges 
where heart of matai alone was used very sound. 
Mr. J. T. Thomson reports that matai sleepers on the Bluff railway-line are 
sound after seventeen years. 
Mr. T. Kerr considers that heart of mature matai is as durable as any 
timber in Westland, silver-pine alone excepted. 
Mr. Somerville, architect, Nelson, states that the bottom plates of the 
Nelson Institute, on stone foundation-walls, exhibit the heartwood sound 
throughout, sap decayed and much worm-eaten, after twenty-four or twenty- 
five years. Also gate-posts 54in. x 54in. with sap din. thick, show the heart 
sound throughout after thirty-one years, and the sap remaining above ground. 
