A Market for Our Timber.

9 An extract from a letter written by Mr F. R. Duncan, who was engineer in charge of the co-operative works at Fortrose, but is now at Vryburg, Bechuanaland, is published by the Wyndham Herald. Mr Duncan first tells of the death at sea of his wife. The doctors had advised a long sea \ oyage for her, but Mr Duncan himself expressed a doubt if she would survive it, and unfortunately his apprehensions were realised, the body being buried at flea three days from Capetown. Continuing, Mr Duncan says:— "Cape Colony imports from America and Norway close on L 4,000,000 worth of timber every year for building and other purposes. They have no timber worth mentioning here, and to me it seems a great shame that New Zealand, with her fino forests, does not chip in here. Australia is sending in a little jarrah and kauri, also frozen meat and butter and cheeße. Why should New Zealand stand out ? Tour Government have tried to pave the London streets with New Zealand timber, but have not tried to open a market where there is one waiting for somebody to chip in. It would bo a splendid chance to run in meat, butter, cheese, and wood. It would almost pay to send firewood to Capetown, as it is as dear as in London. A box I brought with me, made by Mr J. White for my instruments, I sold to a cabinetmaker for L 3. It was red pine, about sft 6in long by 12in by 12in, and the wood was knocked about in the holds of the Napier, Waihora, Anglian, and Nineveh ; then split by the customhouse officers at Capetown in opening it. I only wish I had brought a shipment of wood with me. It would pay best to send in it bulk, and cut up at Capetown. I am sure a company would pay. The ruling price for timber pine is 8d per foot, board measurement."