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used —viz., sleepers, posts, firewood, &c, and no doubt its value, like that of many other New Zealand timbers, will be recognised and appreciated when it is more difficult to obtain. Puriri may be described as plain and figured. It is hard and close-grained. In weight, colour, and texture it somewhat resembles rosewood, but the figured varieties are marked like walnut, and the combination is something between both, but superior to either. Waved, mottled, and figured puriri is worthy of a high place amongst the figured woods of the world, and is suitable for high-grade work. Like all close-grained dark woods it is susceptible of the most brilliant polish. Owing to its rich markings and varied colours it is difficult to imagine any woods more ornamental than figured, waved, curled, and interlaced puriri, quantities of which are cut into veneers and used throughout the Dominion, whilst not a little reaches Great Britain and other places. The same remarks apply to mottled and figured kauri, and to a lesser extent to veneers of the following: Totara, rewarewa, mangeao, hinau, kowhai, akeake, black and white maire, kohekohe, miro, tarata. Puriri is easily grown from seed, cuttings, or slips, is quickgrowing in suitable places, and is a most valuable tree for ornamental or commercial purposes. 12. Tawhai raunui. —Used for mining. Known locally as " tawai," or black-birch. 13. Tawhai rauririki. —Not used generally. It has been found that this timber will not stand the weather. 16. Maire raunui. —Not much used. Royalty, Is. per 100 sup. ft. Very hard timber; scattered. Attains large size in parts of King-country. In the North maire is sparsely scattered, but is found in increasing quantities south of Auckland. It is a valuable timber, and its good qualities are not generally known, otherwise it would not be used for firewood, &c, as at present. It is utilised in small quantities by cabinetmakers and others for special works such as inlaying, &c. 17. Maire. —Not much used. Very hard timber ; not much sought after. 18. Narrow-leaf Maire. —Not much used. Very hard .timber. Native name, " mingi." 19. Northern Rata. —Mostly used for firewood. Attains large size in places. Rata is found generally scattered throughout the district. It is hard, heavy, tough, and of great strength, mostly straight-grained, and is utilised to a limited extent by wheelwrights ; it is also used for arms for tele-graph-posts. In the North the durability of the rata is doubted, especially if used in contact with the ground ; at any rate, it is not utilised to any extent. In the course of settlement the major portion is burnt standing, and the remainder mostly converted into firewood. 20. Southern Rota. 21. Pohutukawa. —Used for ships' knees, &c. Chiefly found near the coast. 22. Manuka rauriki. —Used for firewood. Common to most districts. 23. Maire tawhake. —lts uses are not known locally. Royalty-value, Is. per 100 sup. ft. Trees small and scattered. 24. Kowhai. —Used for turning and ornamental purposes. Hard yellow wood, found on banks of creeks, and coast. 1 Timbers suitable for General Building Purposes, or for Special Uses, but of less Durability than the Preceding Kinds. 25. Rimu. —Used for building, joinery, &c. Royalty-value, 9d. per 100 sup. ft. Found generally throughout the province. Rimu is found throughout the district, and large quantities are used for building purposes. The rimu north of Auckland is mostly hard and tough, and subject to gum-veins or shakes which contribute to its durability but lessens its utility for boards and for general purposes. South of Auckland, especially on high altitudes, it is not so subject to such defects, and, being of a kindlier nature, it is consequently more fitted for bench-work, joinery, and all kinds of internal fittings, for which it is largely used. It is mostly of a rich dark colour and often beautifully grained, rendering it most suitable and valuable for furniture. Rimu might well be called the " New Zealand mahogany," as the better kinds, if well and carefully selected, would form an excellent substitute for that wood in the Home market if exported in flitches. It is, in fine, a most valuable wood owing to its wide adaptability. 26. Kahikatea. —Used for butter-boxes, &c. Royalty-value, 6d. per 100 sup. ft. Found chiefly on low-lying or swampy land. Is found throughout the province, either exclusively in separate forests or scattered through mixed bushes. Its lasting qualities vary, and its durability during exposure is probably much greater than is generally admitted. It is used to some extent for building, especially for inside work, but its greatest use is for making butter-boxes, for which purpose no substitute can be found, and large quantities are exported to Australia, mostly for such purposes. 27. Miro toromiro. —Used for butter-boxes, &c. Royalty, 6d. per 100 sup. ft. Scattered'throughout the province, mostly in the King-country. 28. Tanekaha. —Used for building and bridges. Royalty, Is. per 100 sup. ft. Best on east coast. Scattered throughout the province. Bark used for tanning. Is found sparsely scattered throughout the province ; it is durable, free-grained, and to intense and it has been used in the construction of bridges with satisfactory results. It is well adapted for close lining, flooring, also any other purpose where a clean required. The bark of tanekaha has a high commercial value for export purposes. J29. Toatoa. —Used for house-hning. Scattered : best north of Auckland. Generally found on rough land.

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