ABSTRACT OF SALES BY AUCTION. THIS DAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10601, 22 February 1896, Page 4

ABSTRACT OF SALES BY AUCTION. THIS DAY.

Jahes Samson anbCOm at Rooms—Furniture, &c. f__ Lome and Co., at Rooms—Fruit. SIOEIXZSON Aim Hopkis, at Stores—Buggy-

Is ahotner column we publish a most interesting report of an interview which a representative' of this paper had on Thursday with Mr Freyberg, the timber expert to the New Zealand Government. It will be remembered that some little time ago there opened up what seemed a possibility of a large European trade in colonial timber for street-paving purposes. Eager to take the hint, experimenters rushed the English market with timber of all kinds, forgetting, or not knowing, that for street-paving purposes qualities not met with in; every kind of colonial wood were essential. The holder of a sawmill right on the banks of the Murray soon found that his blocks of rudely-squared and ill - shapen swamp gum, still reeking with sap, were not suited to the desired purpose, and the New Zealanders who omitted to note that mathematical symmetry was desirable even in blocks for street-paving were disillusioned. There is a market for colonial wood in Europe, where the best streets are now paved with wood, but it has to be remembered that only the best colonial wood has a chance of competing. It was at this juncture of doubt, if we remember rightly, that Mr Freyberg was selected by Sir Westby Perceval to proceed to New Zealand and report upon the possibilities of the export trade in New Zealand timber, it being then hoped that this colony possessed timber that,would be valuable not only for such commonplace uses as paving streets, but for the higher purposes of cabinet and decorative work. Unfortunately it would appear from the interview with Mr Freyberg the. question is settled, but in a different way from that which was expected. The timber resources of the colony are in a fair way of becoming quickly exhausted. Mr Freyberg states that in another 20 years a kauri tree will be a curiosity, and that • the supply of totara is already within little distance of exhaustion. That is to say, the wastefulness that usually, but not necessarily, follows settlement has destroyed a natural asset worth possibly millions of money. Trees cumber the ground for agriculture, therefore they are ruthlessly burnt off. It was the same with flax. When flax bushes are seen only as ornaments in landscape gardening, it will probably be found that the blades contain a valuable fibre that could have been utilised at little cost, and when the means of utilising it have been discovered it may perhaps be found necessary to replace the wantonly wasted natural growth by artificial cultivation. This is a common weakness of settlers; they despise the natural products of their new land, so they replace the indigenous flora with natives of Europe, and the feathered inhabitants are only " protected " when they have almost disappeared. Perhaps it is natural that the rush of colonisation should for the time drown the voice of foresight for the public good in this matter, Whether natural or not, it seems inevitable, and it now behoves the colony to repair and atone for past mistakes by at once putting an end to further waste, conserving what natural timber yet remains, and making provision for a renewal of the supply. It is very evident from Mr Freyberg's remarks that he regards totara as the most valuable wood that New Zealand possesses. It has three distinctive qualities that fit it for general use, and these are strength, durability, and beauty. Its qualities in the two firstnamed essentials have only been proved in the roughest ways. Settlers have learned its value for building, fencing, and bridgework. The cabinetmaker and builder have discovered its value for the beauty of its grain. But the supply with which nature has endowed the colony has been practically wasted. Much of it has been burned off to clear the way for the plough, and much of it positively wasted for firewood. At this juncture the remarks of Mr Freyberg possess enormous value. It will be news to many that totara may be propagated by means of cuttings. So vigorous is its power of reproduction, we understand, that cuttings will grow with great readiness, There should therefore be no difficulty in prolonging the supply, and this is a task to which every patriotic New Zealander who has the means at his disposal should give attention. If only every person who has the opportunity were to observe an " Arbor Day " (or days), what beauty might1 be conferred upon many an uninviting landscape, and what wealth < bestowed uoon the next Generation. A

more elevating, and at the same time beneficial, habit could not be inculcated than this one oi: planting trees, which not only quickly adorn the country, but are profitable from the most mercenary point of view. The prudent Scot who recommended his son to be " aye pittin' in a tree," for it would be growing even while he was sleeping, promulgated a weightier truth than he knew of.

Another discovery to which Mr Freyberg alluded is that by which the tannic acid contained in birch bark may be concentrated into portable form by a mere process of evaporation. If Mr Fbeybebg's information is- correct, the process is so simple that anyone may perform it with the rudest appliances. This bark is much richer in tannic acid than was generally supposed, and the value of the discovery alluded to, again assuming the correctness of what is claimed for it, is almost incalculable. The birch timber appears to be suitable for street paving purposes, and if the bark can be also .utilised in this way, additional value will be conferred upon a timber still reasonably» plentiful in the South Island. Probably some of our. New Zealand tanners will make effective tests of the product of the birch bark

I tannic acid concentrate, and give the benefit of their experiences to the

public. It is not our present purpose to do more than refer to the industrial abuses in the timber-getting trade of which Mr Freiberg- makes mention. Such industries are necessarily carried on in remote and inaccessible places, where the wholesome daylight of public opinion rarely enters ; but it must be admitted that it is rather surprising that the authorities do not take effective steps to stamp out the evil complained of. The truck system is odious anywhere: it is likely to be seen in its most unfavourable aspect where its victims are remote from the healthful influence of the newspapers and public opinion. There have been cases where sawmill hands have been practically reduced to a condition of servitude from their inability to get boyond the nearest township, which is perhaps dominated by the employers' interests, and it is somewhat surprising that some of these have not leaked out and compelled an enforcement of the law affecting the truck system, and in particular that very wise parfc of it which stipulates that an employee shall be paid in cash. No doubt Mr Ereyberg's report will. have the effect of drawing attention to this important matter, which concerns the welfare of no less i than 00,000 souls.

It is obvious from Mr Freyberg's

remarks that the attention of the colony should be directed not so much to the possibilities of the export of timber as to the necessity of providing a supply for the colony's own future use. That portion of the report which describes the time and manner of propagating the totara throws a new light upon the subject, and should have the effect of stimulating public bodies to the easy task of planting. We imagine that Mr Freyberg would confer a benefit on the public at large if he were to obtain the necessary authority to promptly issue a leaflet containing a succinct account of the habits of the principal New Zealand trees. We feel moderately certain that if many had been aware that some of them could be propagated so easily they would have supplemented their plantations of eucalypti, employed for their quick primary growth, with native trees.. Some of' the apathy has, no doubt been caused by ignorance of the valuable qualities of the native wood, and some perhaps by the familiarity which breeds contempt. It is not to be supposed that in totara or any other wood the colony has a priceless treasure. Freaks there are in all woods, which result in startlingly - beautiful combinations of grain. But the bulk of them are of . sober hue. It is not-given-to temperate lands to produce startling effects in the animal or vegetable world. But their products have a beauty which is all their own, and they have the advantage of utility as well. The reproach of ignoring these ought no longer to be allowed to remain.