C—3.

14

Entire-leaved beech (Fagus Solandri) occurs in the Grey Valley and on many terraces, but is remarkably local. Mountain-beech (Fagus cliffortioides) is common on the mountains, ascending to fully 4,000 ft. Silver-beech (Fagus Menziesii) descends nearly to the sea-level at Jackson's Bay and other places, but, like the other species, is absent from extensive areas. It will probably prove to be the most frequent species between 1,500 ft. and 3,000 ft. In addition to the above, a considerable number of shrubs and small trees afford ornamental woods adapted for the purposes of the cabinetmaker for veneering, marqueterie work, &c, and will doubtless be converted for commercial purposes at no distant date. THE TIMBEE-INDUSTEY IN WESTLAND. A few years back the timber-trade of Westland was in a flourishing condition, and gave employment to a large number of men and boys; the local trade was brisk, and large shipments were made coastwise. At the present time most of the mills are not working more than one-third time, and some even less. After considering the vast extent and varied nature of the timber-resources of the district, it must be admitted that this is a most anomalous state of affairs, but the causes of the unfortunate decay of the trade are not far to seek Thirteen sawmills are in operation in the Westland District, but many of these are working only one-third time or even less. One large mill, not included in the total stated above, has been closed for more than a year. The mills are capable of converting 11,500,000 superficial feet per annum, and when in full work would employ over three hundred men and boys. The actual output at the present time scarcely exceeds 3,000,000 superficial feet, while the number of men employed is reduced to ninety-one,* conversion being restricted to sufficient to meet local demands, the coastal trade having completely passed away. The mills are furnished with good machinery, and are efficiently managed. I have nowhere seen wide boards more evenly manufactured. In Mr. Malfroy's stock I noticed a large quantity of red-pine boards beautifully sawn, 22in. to 26in. wide, nearly every board exhibiting more or less figure, and adapted for the best class of ornamental cabinet-work; these were selling at 9s. 6d. per 100 superficial feet, a low price for timber of such excellent quality and exceptional width. The bushes are managed in a similar manner to those of Southland. Falling is chiefly effected by sawing. It is worthy of mention that the saw was first adopted for this purpose in Westland, from whence its use has extended to other districts. The tramways are worked by horse-power. The average quantity of timber per acre is very high on the flats and lower levels, and may be estimated at 40,000 superficial feet for red- and white-pine. Near Lake Brunner several acres of red-, white-, and black-pine gave over 80,000 superficial feet to the acre. Mr. Malfroy informed me that he had recently purchased 300 acres near Hokitika, which would average fully 70,000 ft. per acre for the entire block. On the other hand, much of the timber on the slopes of the ranges is of small dimensions, and very often scattered. The cost of producing manufactured timber under these circumstances is low, not exceeding 4s. per 100 superficial feet, and might be easily reduced if the mills could be kept fully employed. Notwithstanding its isolated position, Westland formerly possessed a large coastal trade. This was gradually destroyed by the expansion of the Southland trade, which placed Westland at a serious disadvantage, and gradually forced her out of the markets. The development of the coaltrade has aggravated the depression, as it has induced an advance in the rates of freight coastwise, which timber-merchants are unable to pay under the competition to which they are subject from sawmillers in Southland and Marlborough i. Under these circumstances it is no matter for surprise that Westland sawmillers are anxiously looking forward to a time when direct railway-communication will be established between the West Coast and Christchurch. It is estimated that fully 12,000,000 superficial feet per annum will be loaded on the trucks. It is, however to be feared that sufficient allowance has not been made for the competition between Westland and Queen Charlotte Sound. Eed- and white-pine can be shipped from Havelock to Lyttelton and sent by rail to Christchurch at a cost certainly not exceeding the cost of transport by rail from Hokitika; so that, practically, Marlborough is equally well situated for supplying Christchurch and stations as far south as Timaru and northwards to Waikari. The total quantity of timber imported into Lyttelton is about 20,000,000 superficial feet; but this includes kauri and other special timbers, Tasmanian hardwood, &c. Making a fair allowance for special timber, which would not be affected by Westland competition, I fail to see an opening for more than 5,000,000 ft. from Westland under existing conditions. One of the first results of the construction of the West Coast Eailway would be the establishment of sawmills on the Arnold Eiver, Bell Hill, and Crooked Eiver, which would be able to send timber into Christchurch at equally low rates with the Hokitika sawmills. But, for all this, I believe there is a large opening for the Westland sawmillers. The improvement of the ports of Greymouth and Westport will attract vessels of a larger class, and bring about a reduction of freight to Australian ports, so as to facilitate the development of a large export trade ; while the completion of the Hokitika and Greymouth Eailway will allow of whitepine being forwarded to Greymouth for shipment at almost nominal rates —lOd. per 100 superficial feet for freight. In view of the completion of this railway at no distant date, it is desirable that

* The quantities stated are those given in the return carefully prepared at my request by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. It should, however, be mentioned that one of the largest sawmillers assured me the total output did not exceed 2,500,000 superficial feet. t Southland sawmillers can load timber on the railway-trucks at 4s. 6d. per 100 superficial feet, but timber could not be placed on the Hokitika Wha,rf at less than ss. 6d. under present conditions,