Timber.

The timber trade of New Zealand is extensive, owing to the magnificent forests which abound.

In the North Island 119 mills employ 1,990 hands.

In the Middle Island 124 mills employ 1,270 hands.

The following figures speak sufficiently as to the growth of the export trade in timber: 1881, £65,119; 1892, £182,431, or about 300 percent.

The total trade of the saw-mills reaches nearly, £900,000 per annum.