COMBUSTION OF FLAX.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 779, 18 April 1870, Page 4

COMBUSTION OF FLAX.

Flax is now occupying so much attention that everything relating to it is of interest to the public. We (Evening Post) have all along held against the idea which has become so prevalent, that it is dangerously inflammable or liable to spontaneous ignition, notwithstanding the unfortunate circumstances from time to time occurring which apparently militate against our belief, and we have no doubt whatever that sooner or later the prejudice existing against flax will be dispelled, and the habit of fixing the blame of all mysterious fires on it, be abandoned. The subjoined paragraph from the Independent confirms the views we have repeatedly expressed : " Messrs Johnston and Co. of this city recently sent 250 bales of flax to Melbourne for transhipment to England, but were advised shortly afterwards by their agents, that the flax was damp'and iu a dangerous state. The agents asked for instructions as to whether they should open and dry the packages or not. Mr C. Johnston went up to Melbourne to see for himself, and having, after examination, failed to detect any beating in the bales, he had several of them opened in the presence of the agents and others interested in the matter, when the contents proved dry and cool throughout. What the agents had mistaken for dampness was the green color which the under surface of flax dried on wires, and not exposed to the sun as is the case with Mr Pownall's Manawatu flax, naturally assumes. This greenness is, however, no sign oi either dampness or heat, although people unacquainted with the flax are apt to assume that it is. The result of Mr Johnston's personal visit was that the flax in question was readily received as cargo at the low freight of i>3 per ton.