The Flax Commissioner.

Manawatu Herald, 2 November 1897, Page 3

The Flax Commissioner.

Abont a year ago the Flax Expert, or as he preferred to be called, Commissioner, was one whose name was in every paper, but for some months Mr John Holmes has been as one who was dead, Fortunately he is very far from being dead but seems on the contrary to be infused with his customary • go ' and energy. He now bobs up serenely at the Cape, having got tbere from America, taking that town en route to England. Mr Holmes was interviewed by reporters from the Cape Times and Argut and, as usual, laid his views very fully and clearly before them. We notice that the Times states that there should be a good sale for binder-twine in South Africa, and that the farmers would save a considerable sum' by purohasing twine made from New Zealand hemp. In the Argut report Mr Holmes is mentioned as having stated he was anxious that the African trade with New Zealand should be further improved so far as regards butter, cheese, and frozen mutton. In another part of the newspaper we notice a paragraph which certainly points to a market for our mutton, it is headed : — . SALTED OXEN. Salisbury, September 25.— Salted oxen fetched £55 at auction this morning. Some of the prices realised in the Cape Town. market in September were:— Eggs per 100, 8s IOd; onions per lOOIbs, 17s lOd ; potatoes per lOOib,, 7s Bd. Fowls, each 2s lOd to 8s 7d; Ducks, each Bs. Apples per lOOIbs, 8. 6d to 8s 2d.