PLAINS FLAX-GROWING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5479, 25 September 1929, Page 1

PLAINS FLAX-GROWING

PROTECTION AND PLANTING.

DRAINAGE ENGINEER’S VIEWS.

The annual report of the Chief Drainage Engineer concerning the operations of the Lands Drainage Department contains many references to flax-growing in the district. The value of the fibre and tow produced last year was although the production showed a temporary decrease of 200 tons from 1200 tons for the previous season. The report states

“The milling of flax is being carried out at Torehape, Kaihere (two mills), and Tahuna, and it is pleasing to record that a higher grade of hemp has been produced at both Torehape anfl Tahuna by the millers exercising morecare in the treatment of the leaf. The growing of flax on the peat areas is a. subject which is receiving more attention at the present time. This is particularly important to the department, as there are large areas of Crown land of this class which can be put to no other commercial use. It is too early yet to forecast whether the growing of flax on this class of country will be generally successful, but there are distinct signs of success on some areas, whilst on others the prospects are not too promising. In order to assist the flax-growing industry it is essential that some measure of protection from, and control of, fires on adjacent areas should be /provided, and in my opinion statutory authority should be furnished for- the formation of fire districts on G rown and also privately owned lands <on which flax is naturally grown or cu Itivated. During the past summer n>o serious loss of flax by fire occurred, but the 2000acre block at Patetong: i, on which a considerable amount of work has been carried out by the lessee s, was threatended by a fire which j itarted on the adjoining occupied la< id, and only after strenuous efforts by employees of the department and the flax company, as well as settlers , was all danger removed.”