NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 432, 30 May 1871, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

Afteb numerous attempts, extending over many years, to make New Zealand flux a marketable article in European commerce, there seems at last some prospect of its taking a place amongst our imported fibres. Tho article is pretty well known to our fibre dealers, for it has occasionally been shipped in small quantities, always fetching a high price, and generally acknowledged for its superior quality. No one has ever had the least doubt as to the actual value of the fibre itself, when once properly cleaned ; the difficulty has been in the process of cleaning. A great many machines, have been introduced into New Zealand, but all have failed, until, in 1867, a machine was produced which was so far perfect as to considerably lessen the time and cost in cleaning and preparing chft fibre. We are glad to find that the subject is being made one of public interest in the coloiiy, for notwithstanding that much has been written and said about it, no one, we think, has so well spoken as Captain F. W. Hutton, in a lecture on New Zealand flax, which he delivered before the Auckland Institute.. Mr. Jackson, of Kew, says .—" A quantity of New Zealand flax specially prepared for the European market attracted some attention in London a few months since, and realised from 27/. to 41 1. per ton; and though, at the time, the particular attention of spinners, and those engaged in the linen^ trade, was drawn to the fibre, it is considered by experienced persons practically acquainted with the fibre in New Zealand that it will never be able to compete with European flax, or other fibres used in the manufacture of fine I exile fabrics, requiring bleaching, though it may be found useful for the coarser unbleached fabrics, such, for instance, as sail-cloths. It, however, appearß principally adapted for ropes, twine, cordage, &c, and for such purposes may worthily compete with Manila hemp, and fibres of that class."— European Mail.