A Rival to New Zealand Flax

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 97, 8 February 1890, Page 3

A Rival to New Zealand Flax

.- . -Auckland, February 5. A private letter from Sydney says: — " For some time past a number of our -business men. have been inquiring into the possibility of growing Sisal in this colony, and a gentleman who has been engaged in the hemp. trade iv London for the past twenty- five years, and has dealt largely in New Zealand hemp at Home, has carried out •a number of experiments, which go to show 'that sisal can be grown as a profitable speculation. It is believed that the Government will assist in the matter of a grant of suitable laud at merely a nominal rental, if the fibre samples shown to me can be groan largely, and there seems to be no reason .why the plants should not thrive. New Zealand is likely to have a formidable rival in a year or so. I was also shown a beautiful fibre prepared from: the four-coy a, a plant which was found growing in a wild state in the vicinity of Man by. Although the fibre had been prepared by the most primitive methods, the texture was excellent. This fibre is largely prepared in the Mauritius, and is shipped principally to France, where it is used in the manufacture of textile fabrics. The plant can be grown here at even less expense than sisal. Owing to its fineness the fibre commands a much higher price. I am given to understand that the gentlemen interested intend to spend £20,000 in the venture immediately."