(3.—3.

It is natural, of course, that wood-identification should figure prominently in all utilization problems. Many imported wood products must first be identified before any search for a possible locally-grown substitute can be instituted. Likewise explanations of failures in the use of various products is impossible until the identity of the timber concerned has been established beyond all possible doubt, and it is for this reason that investigations are being made continually into the microscopic structure of both local and imported woods so that the timbers regularly submitted for examination and report may be adequately dealt with. CHAPTER IV,— THE TIMBER TRADE. 1. Production. The annual cut of sawn timber for the period ended 31st March, 1935, is estimated at approximately 250,000,000 ft. board measure, or over 50,000,000 ft. board measure more than the previous year and almost 100,000,000 ft. board measure more than the record low cut for the year ended 31st March, 1932. The predicted cut of 195,000,000 ft. board measure for the year ended 31st March, 1934, agrees closely with the Government Statistician's reported cut of 197,655,000 ft. board measure. It is anticipated that the greater part of the increased production for the year will be accounted for by rimu, the demand for which has continued active both on the domestic and Australian markets.

TABLE 5. Reported Production of Rough-sawn Timber, by Species.

TABLE 6. Reported Production of Rough-sawn Timber, by Provincial Districts.

13

(From information supplied by the Government Statistician. All figures refer to the years ended .Ust March, 1932-1934.) 1932. 1933. 1934. Species. j p ercen t a g e Percentage Percentage Quantity. of Total Quantity. of Totaf Quantity. of Total Quantity. Quantity. Quantity. Ft. b.m. Ft. b.m. Ft. b.m. Rimu .. .. 71,082,000 46-1 76,193,000 45-8 96,125,000 48-6 White-pine .. .. 43,161,000 28-0 47,998,000 28-9 47,949,000 24-3 Matai .. .. 7,475,000 4-8 8,161,000 4-9 10,760,000 5-5 Kauri .. .. 6,891,000 4-5 5,410,000 3-3 4,946,000 2-5 Totara .. .. 5,344,000 3-5 6,347,000 3-8 7,197,000 3-6 Beecli .. .. 5,757,000 3-7 5,781,000 3-5 6,972,000 3-6 Insignis pine .. .. 13,405,000 8-7 14,676,000 8*8 21,494,000 10*9 Miro . .. 228,000 0-1 441,000 0-3 671,000 0-3 Tawa .. .. 163,000 0-1 290,000 0-2 214,000 0-1 Rata .. •• 122,000 0-1 72,000 .. 97,000 0-1 Otter .. ... 565,000 0-4 900,000 0-5 i ,230,000 0-5 Totals .. .. 154,193,000 100-0 166,269,000 100-0 197,655,000 100-0

(From information supplied by the Government Statistician. All figures refer to the years ended 31st March, 1932-1934.) 1932. 1933. 1934. Provincial District. Percentage Percentage Percentage Quantity. of Total Quantity. of Total Quantity. of Total Quantity. Quantity. Quantity. Ft. b.m. Ft. b.m. Ft. b.m. Auckland .. .. 63,222,000 41-0 74,261,000 44-7 83,915,000 42-5 Hawke'sBay .. 10,430,000 6-8 7,647,000 4-6 9,683,000 4-9 Taranaki .. .. 2,146,000 1-4 1,980,000 1-2 1,839,000 0-9 Wellington .. .. 15,183,000 9-8 15,157,000 9-1 21,312,000 10-8 Marlborough. .. .. 5,031,000 3-3 3,374,000 2-0 4,041,000 2-0 Nelson .. .. 4,833,000 3-1 5,651,000 3-4 6,461,000 3-3 Westland .. .. 34,256,000 22-2 38,773,000 23-3 42,316,000 21-4 Canterbury .. .. 2,854,000 1-9 2,817,000 1-7 4,391,000 2-2 Otago .. .. 4,017,000 2-6 2,969,000 1-8 5,682,000 2-9 Southland .. .. 12,221,000 7-9 13,640,000 8-2 18,015,000 9-1 Totals .. .. 154,193,000 100-0 166,269,000 100-0 197,655,000 100-0