Page:Reminiscences of Earliest Canterbury 1915.pdf/100

 I wish to make reference to some of our timber, and shall begin with Kauri. This fine timber only grows in the North of Auckland, and is the most useful of New Zealand woods, although not adapted for fencing, or for piles, or ground work. It is principally used in house-building, especially for windows, doors, and flooring. The kauri tree grows to an immense height, and attains an enormous girth. It is very sound, and a log is rarely found to have a “shake” in it. It is our best timber for building boats and oil launches, etc. The kauri gum is derived from this tree, and the digging for it forms a big industry in the northern part of the Auckland Province.

Totara is our next best tree. It grows all over New Zealand, and being soft and light the Maoris used it for their canoes, for all carrying work, and for palisades in their fortified pas. For durability it surpasses the Kauri, and is excellent for fencing and house-building, lasting well in the ground. I know five varieties of Totara.

(a) A mountain variety, producing white wood, which, though very tough, is not durable. This was occasionally used for the ribs of small boats, because of its lightness