9

A—ib

following are some of the most important uses to which timber is put, and the names of some, of the trees which will produce such timber:— Genera] building - construction (scantling, Corsican pine, heavy pine, Weymouth weatherboards, &c. pine, Monterey pine, Douglas fir, Eucalypti. Joinery (doors, windows, &c.) . . . . Weymouth pine, Douglas fir. Flooring, lining, interior finish . . . . Any of the. kinds in the two preceding groups, and in addition many of the eucalypts. Bridge-building and similar heavy con- Eucalypts (species), Douglas fir, Corstruction sican pine. Coach building .. .. .. Eucalypts (species), for framing ; Corsican pine, heavy pine, Weymouth pine, Douglas fir for boards anil panels. Railway ties and telegraph-poles and fencing Eucalypts (species). Packing-cases, kegs, butter-boxes . . Any of the pines mentioned in preceding groups, and, in addition, sweetchestnut and poplar. Boat-building .. .. .. .. Eucalypts, Douglas fir, Corsican and heavy pines, larch. Turnery .. . . . . . . Eucalypts, ash, oak, chestnut, poplar, pines. Furniture .. .. .. . . Eucalypts, sweet-chestnut, Weymouth pine, Douglas fir, poplar, ash, oak. Tt is not pretended that the foregoing is anything more than a rough-and-ready list of the principal uses to which timber is generally applied, and. a variety of timbers which will meet these uses. The main object, is to demonstrate the fact that it is not necessary to grow a great variety of timbers to provide for the principal industries. It will be noticed that Corsican pine, heavy pine, Weymouth pine, Monterey pine, and Douglas fir are capable of being used for a great variety of purposes, and are, moreover, suitable for building-construction in which large quantities of timbers are needed. The species of Australian eucalypts are not particularized, but, a large variety can be grown in various parts of the North Island. From these, it, is possible to obtain a great, variety of timbers, the principal characteristics of which are strength and durability. Man\- of them., too, are beautiful cabinet-woods, and, although in general they are somewhat heavy, they can. nevertheless be satisfactorily used for furniture-making. For bridge-building, wharfktg, railway-sleepers, fencing, and fuel some of the eucalypts have no equal. One purpose for which timber is now largely used, and for which there is urgent need to provide, is what may be described as carrying-timbers. Fruit-cases, butter-boxes, general packing-eases, casks, and crates, all of which are needed for carrying the produce of the country, absorb a large, amount of timber, but generally of second-class quality. Soft light timbers are the most suitable, and almost any of the pines will produce this. For butter-boxes a better-class timber and one which has no smell is required, and for this purpose, either the black Italian poplar or the Monterey pine is well suited. For eabinetmaking, panelling, and similar purposes there are many of the indigenous trees well suited, and, as a great number of these have hitherto been but sparingly used, they would, if proper conservation regulations were applied, last for many years to come. It would appear to be a good policy to make these timbers last out as long as possible, rather than grow special timbers for the purpose. Oak, ash, maple, walnut, chestnut, Cupressus, and cedars are all more or less beautifully grained, and other-wise well adapted for ornamental furniture ; but unfortunately most of these trees arc not profitable, trees to grow for general uses, and if planted especially for furniture their timbers would cost probably twice as much as the pine or eucalypts to produce. On most plantation reserves there are areas which cannot be utilized in the general scheme of planting, and which may be admirably adapted for one or more particular class of tree. When dealing with such areas the, growing of special furnituretimbers could be considered, and in this way probably provided for in quite an adequate manner. If, therefore, the State planting is done with the pines which are mentioned above, and a selection of the best of the eucalypts, the greatest part of the timber requirements of the Dominion will be well provided for, and, although the importation of some timbers for special purposes may be necessary, these in the aggregate will represent, but a small proportion of the timber used, and will not seriously affect, the welfare of the country. Land for Plantations. It is proposed at an early date to inspect a number of areas in various parts of the North Island with a view to having these set aside for future afforestation-work. This is necessary owing to the increasing cost of land, but the selection of these areas requires a considerable amount, of forethought, principally concerning their accessibility. Land for plantation purposes must be low in price, and it is not desirable to select land that might even in the future be more profitably used for agricultural purposes. If, however, timber is grown by the State it will require to be distributed to the centres of industry, and the question of transit is therefore a most important one. AU areas selected for afforestation should be fairly easy of access by water, by the railway, or by proposed future railway routes; or, as an alternative, a large area could be set aside on which all the timber required for the North Island could be grown, in which case it would be warrantable to build a special railway-line for the conveyance of timber when it is ready. It would appear to be a better policy, to have plantations in

2-rC. Ib.