Hello folks.I'm hopeful that someone might help me please with some basic info. on how to treat Swamp Kauri.

I've had a piece of Kauri that I bought years ago with the plan to make a solid-body guitar. I never have but, recently decided that I'd like to do something with the wood, and offered to make my wife a cribbage board. I will inlay Mammoth Ivory panels into the board.
As a complete newcomer to woodworking my knowledge extends as far as cutting and sanding, and little else. I have searched the 'net for Kauri-specific info. but come up with very little.

My questions are:

How finely should I sand this piece ? The top is easy enough to sand, especially after the mega-sanding that Ivory requires. But, the sides and ends seem very hard to sand. I end up with a sort of hazy, yellowish finish.

Do I need to seal it when I've finished sanding ? There are some fine cracks in the wood and a couple of areas where I have dug out soft wood.

I'd like a matte finish on the piece. What should I apply to it for finishing ?

Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

Gary.