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I was assured by a sawmiller that he had cut over 20,000 superficial feet to the acre, and that he considered sections capable of yielding quite as much were still to be had. I have no doubt whatever that on the worked-out flats even larger returns than this were not uncommon, but only two or three sections of standing timber likely to give such a yield came under my notice. I am inclined to think that from 14,000 ft. to 17,000 ft. per acre would be a fair average.* The increasing number of beech-sleepers required for railway-purposes alone must of necessity add to the value of all beech-forest sections, like the Oxford Forest, in the close vicinity of a railway.

WE STL AND. Westland forms the western slope of the Southern Alps, from the Grey Eiver southwards to Big Bay, a distance of nearly two hundred miles. The area is estimated at 3,045,000 acres, of which 1,897,558 acres are covered with splendid forest, and still remain in the hands of the Crown, in addition to 632,519 acres of lowland scrub or inferior forest. Practically the lowland portion of the district forms a vast forest, occasionally broken by a patch of open land, an extensive swamp, or a river-bed. As the mountains are ascended the timber decreases in size, and, speaking generally, is of little value for conversion above 2,000 ft. The limit of arboreal vegetation is, however, somewhat higher than on the eastern side of the mountains, and may be stated, I think, at 4,300 ft., although I am not prepared to speak positively on this point, which is one of considerable interest. The traveller in Westland has his attention constantly arrested by the occurrence of large patches of pines of unusual lengths, and remarkably close set, forming forest of great density, and affording a larger return per acre than is given by the same kind in any other part of the colony. Another peculiarity is afforded by the abundance of red and yellow silver-pine (Dacrydivm Westlandicum and D. intermedium), both timbers of great durability, the former being known as the Westland pine. It is not restricted to this district, but is plentiful in some parts of the Nelson province. Another tree but little known elsewhere is the native lilac (Qumtinia serrata, var. latifotia), which forms a small tree with a trunk sometimes 15in. in diameter, and affords a timber sufficiently durable to be used for fencing-posts, sleepers, &c. In low alluvial or slightly undulating districts the principal timber-trees are frequently found occupying narrow belts, one kind exhibiting a marked preponderance, sometimes amounting almost to the exclusion of others ; thus, a belt of totara may be succeeded by one of red-pine, and that again by a belt of quintinia, followed in its turn by a belt of cedar, &c. The red-pine is the prevailing tree over large portions of the district: large areas are clothed with long straight clean-grown stems, standing thickly on the ground, and yielding timber of first quality, straight and close in the grain, firm and silky. The white-pine or kahikatea is frequently found attaining the height of from 80ft. to 100 ft. or more, and equal to the rimu in growth and quality; it is most frequent on the margins of rivers or swamps, but is not confined to situations of this kind. Totara is comparatively local; large blocks of good trees are rare; trees of smaller dimensions, say with trunks 12in. to 24in. in diameter, are more frequent, especially in the vicinity of rivers, although not actually on their margin. Scattered trees of large dimensions are not unfrequent in many districts. Matai or black-pine, generally speaking, is less plentiful than totara and is often scattered. Kawaka or cedar (Libocedrus Bidwillii), although often local, is much more frequent, and sometimes occurs in considerable quantity. In exposed places, at elevations above 1,500 ft., it is sometimes not more than 6ft. high, but fine trees with trunks 24in. to 30in. in diameter are plentiful. At lower levels it is one of the most valuable timbers in the district. Westland pine or silver-pine (Dacrydiwn Westlandicum) is scattered throughout the district, sometimes in clumps or narrow belts, at others solitary trees only are found. Yellow silver-pine (D. intermedium) is most frequent on elevated terraces ; at present it has not been utilized in any other district, although it occurs from the Great Barrier to Stewart Island. These "silver-pines " must be classed amongst the most durable pine-timbers known, and whenever occurring in quantity ought to be carefully conserved. Ironwood or rata (Metrosideros lucida) is plentiful, ascending to 3,000 ft., and varying greatly in character. The northern rata (M. robusta) is also found in the district, but is rare and local. Kamahi (Weinmannia racemosa) is plentiful and often attains large dimensions. Quintinia serrata, var. J3, locally termed " white-birch " and "native lilac," is plentiful, and attains larger dimensions than in any other part of the colony. Broadleaf (Griselinia littoralis) is common, usually with short, stout, distorted trunks, which split freely and form durable posts, sleepers, house-blocks, &c. Mountain toatoa (Phyllocladus alpinus) is plentiful from the sea-level to 3000 ft., but is usually of small size, so that it is only adapted for special purposes, notwithstanding its remarkable toughness. Large tea-tree or rawiri (Leptospermum ericoides), forms clumps or small groves, but the trees of large size are local. Tooth-leaved beech (Fagus fused), locally termed "black-birch" and "red-birch," is plentiful at Lake Brunner, the Teremakau Paddock, and other parts of the Teremakau Valley, often attaining large dimensions. It is also found about Greymouth and in many other places, but appears absent from large areas. Mr. Mueller, the chief surveyor, informed me that it occurred in great abundance in the Valley of the Arawata, near the southern boundary of the district, ascending to between 2,000 ft. and 3,000 ft., many of the trees exceeding 100 ft. in height and from 2ft. to 6ft. in diameter.

* At a royalty of Is. per 100 ft. this would give £8 per acre for timber alone.