Page 7 Advertisements Column 7

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8446, 23 July 1888, Page 7

Kauri Timber Company. Waikato to Tanranga, although solitary trees or small groups are found as far south as Maketu on the East Coast, and Kawhia on the West. It attains the height of 120 to 160 feet and upward ; clean, symmetrical trunks may be seen from 50 to 80 or even 100 feet in length, varying from 5 to 12 feet and upward in diameter. The timber has acquired a reputation above all New Zealand kinds from its value for masts, spars, and other purposes of naval architecture, which led to its being exported for use in the British dockyards about the commencement of the present century. Except for general building purposes, its I use has been chiefly confined to the North Island, where there is abundant evidence of its durability for more than thirty years in some of the old mission buildings at the Bay of Islands, the weather-boarding of which exhibits no signs of decay. The same must be said of some of the oldest houses of the City of Auckland, and in other parts of the province, although I have been unable to obtain trustworthy evidence of their existence for more than twenty-three or twentyfour years, as in all the town most of the old buildings have been removed to make way for improvements. Kauri has been employed, in coujunction with totara, for the upper timbers of the Auckland wharf, the largest work of the kind in the Colony, with the most satisfactory results. Braces, stringers, and tiebeams are in good condition after being eighteen years in use. The greater portion of the old Wynyard pier was recently removed in the formation of the Waikato railway, when many of the timbers were found sound, although others were much decayed, after fully twenty-three years’ service. It has been extensively used for bridge timbers with the best results, but I am uot awa r e of any instance of older date than the Auckland wharf. The supeiriority of kauri to Tasmanian blue gum, under heavy wear and tear, has been demonstrated by the use of both timbers on the Auckland wharf, when the former was found to last twice as long as the latter, under severe tests. At the Tanpiri coal mines, sleepers were in good condition after from five to nine years’ use. It has been used on the tramways of the Thames goldfield, where it is sound and good after being five years in use. Mr A. Sheath, Inspector of Telegraph Lines for the North Island, informs me that the kauri kerbiug opposite Government House, Auckland, was taken up after being laid eighteen years, and was then perfectly sound. It has been employed for tramway rails on the Thames goldfield, and was nearly everywhere found in excelleut condition after five years’ wear and tear. At the Waikato ooal mines it has been employed for tho same purpose for nine veara, is still serviceable, which is remarkable, as tho rails were out from small-sized trees growing in the neighborhood. Totara and rimn rails set at the same time have perish«Jwthe former probably from having been alsosawn. out of young timber. On the Thames goldfield it is used for. mine props, struts, and cap-pieces, and maintains its character for durability, although for this purpose tauekaha-and black birch are often used on account of their smallercost. Does he strongly recommend the kauri also?—Yeg. As useful for all purposes that softwood is used for ? —For nearly every purpose that timber can be pat to. ~ . And you think that, with Victorian hardwood and New Zealand kauri you could build, to the best advantage, all the rolling stock required by the Victorian Railways ? —Yes, lam certain that ban be done, for I did it for ten years in New so there is no question about it.” The following extract from the Scotch Supplement of the Timber Trades' Journal of sth Hay, 1888, gives some idea of tho prospect of opening up a good trade with the Home Markets , “ The earge of kauri pine recently landed here ex Aurora,' from Kaipara, New Zealand, was offered by. Messrs Alhson, Cousland and | Co., at their auction sale on 3rd Instant, the i catalogue also comprising a varied assortment ofother wood goods, viz., Quebec pine deals and planks, pitch pine deals,' parcels of N.S. black walnut logs, &c. As have been before notice in our columns, the above arrival of kauri pine is tbe first full cargo of thia wood imported into Clyde, and the result of the public sale has. been awaited with considerable interest. " A large company assembled, and there ~was a fair amount of- competition, the result being that the greater part of -the cargo was disposed of, and at good prices, particulars of which are undernotgd.” Messrs Allison, Cousland Co.’s auction sale. 3rd May : Per cubic foot. ! To ensure Prospectus being forwarded to all country districts throughout New Zealand, the time for receiving applications for shares HAS BEEN EXTENDED ta SATURDAY, the 24th AUGUST.