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Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 65, 3 April 1852, Page 7

To the Editor of the " Lyttelton Times

Sir, —So many false p.ophets have arisen in the Flax line, that the public of New Zealand will be as sceptical as Jews, even should the true Mesiah be found, and having paid considerable attention to the subject of rendering tbe " Phormium Tenax" an export on a scale capable of promoting the interest of the colony, that is, to an extent worth notice, and observing in your Saturday's Times that Messrs. Beechy and Polhill have discovered a " cheap, simple, and expeditious process, by which three men can prepare a ton a day, I must

congratulate those gentlemen in having achieved a wonder, if the word " prepare " is to be understood to embrace all the labour from cutting the green plant to rendering it fit for exportation^ and while in the vague terms that their " prepare" remains ; T only observe that it will require near five tons of green flax to yield a ton of good flax fit for exportation, and to cut and convey that to a suitable place to undergo the "process," even in a favourable locality with the assistance of a horse and cart, is no bad day's work for three men; but suppose that Messrs. Beechy and Polhill have discovered a cheap and simple process that will separate the fibre useless vegetable matter without injury to the stamina, and three men can wholly prepare 3 cwt. per diem, instead of a ton, they will be entitled to public credit, as it will be worth in any port in this colony from ten shillings to a pound per cwt., and that will induce labour to turn to it as a sure field for prosperity, and never again dream of the diggings. Wishing them every success in so important a matter, in a clearer shape before the public, I am, Sir, your humble servant, Tive_tum.