THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1043, 24 December 1912, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Owing to the unfavourable climatic conditions which have prevailed this season, the condition of much of the fibre reaching the grading stores has been very unsatisfactory. The necessity of laying out the hanks of fibre ou grass fields for the purpose of bleaching makes the miller of phormium dependent ou the weather, and this season be has suffered severely in consequence. The heavy rains have made the fields quite unsuitable for their purpose —in fact, in in some instances the bleachiugareas have been quagmires. So bad have the paddocks beeu in several cases that the owners have endeavoured to bleach by hanging the fibre direct on to wires from the washing machines, with the result that the fibre has reached the grading store in a green and tough condition, meriting only an inferior grade. Even where the fields have beeu in fairly good condition the delay in bleaching, owing to the absence of favourable weather, has seriously affected the colour. On top of this, diseased leaf has beeu fairly common, especially along the Mauawatu line, the leal in the Foxton district being, however, singularly cleau this season. Three or four Foxtou mills are producing fibre of fairly good quality, though not up to the standard of that of last season.

A large proportion of the fibre damaged by the weather has not been improved by the scutching, which, instead of correcting to some extent, as it could easily do, the damage done by bad conditions in the bleaching field, has intensified the trouble. Some of this fibre has come to hand in a matted and towy state, with more than the usual amount of vegetable aud gummy matter adhering. Very little good fair phormium reached Wellington last mouth from the main milling centres. Marlborough was the exception to the general rule. Four millers iu that district are well maintaiuiug their contracts for the supply of high pointed good fair and fine.

While the unsatisfactory weather has affected the quality of hemp coming forward, the output has also been curtailed for the same reason. The position is unfortunate, as such a large quantity of inferior fibre going on the market will certainly not strengthen the position of phormium fibre among manufacturers, and this at a time when there was an excellent opportunity for extending its use in the cordage trade abroad. The general activity in the industry has extended to the west coast of the South Island. About six mills have been again put into commission, and these ate all turning out a nice coloured fibre, some of it reaching high-pointed good-fair. As in the past, the fit-re from that quarter is exhibiting excellent strength. Westland millers have the great advantage of a capital water-supply, proved by the fact that the good colour being obtained is secured without the assistance of the patent washing-machines. Some millers are sending in their tow hales in a very unsatisfactory condition. The bales are improperly pressed, and thus cause considerable trouble in the work ot grading and dumping. In sympathy, if course, with •.he general uusatisfaw;' ry quality of fibre, the tow reaching U ■ - 3 is also is.-ppoi ■ ■ g, J sin the poor shaking it has has in many instances not

:d matters, buipper slips, only a limited

7 of which has dipped, are al?' 'bowing the results of the bad weather conditions. Where an attempt has been made to dry them under ordinary conditions the quality has been so unsatisfactory that several parcels have had to be condemned. The few millers who have installed special apparatus for washing and cleaning the “slips” have managed to turn out a passable article. —Mr W. H. Ferris in the Journal of the Department of Agriculture. NOVEMBER GRADING RETURNS. The total number of bales of hemp graded during the month of November was 10,672, as compared with 8,666 bales for the corresponding month of last year, an increase of 2,006 bales. For the twelve months ending 30th November, 1912, the number of bales graded was 95,047, as compared with 92,586 for the previous twelve months, the increase being 1,748 Dales. During the month, 4,045 bales of tow were dealt with, as compared with 2,228 for the corresponding mouth of last year, an increase of 1,817 bales. For the twelve mouths ending 30th November, 1912, the number of bales graded was 28,665, as against 26,917 for the previous twelve months, the increase being 2,461 bales. hemp. The number of bales graded at the different ports was ;—Auckland 2,168, Napier 157, Foxton 3312, Wellington 3,687, Blenheim 174 Picton 246, Dunedin 153, aud Bluff 774, the number in each grade being:—

Good Port. Fine. Fair. Fair. Com.

One bale at Auckland and eight at Wellington were rejected and 56 at Auckland were condemned,

g "d % &T r- £• , First 1 Grade. o cm Sec’nd o Grade. ui Third oo Grade. as Cond. , S Total.

STRIPPER SUPS Thirty-one bales at Auckland, 15 at Foxtou, 228 at Wellington, 8 at Blenheim and 77 at Bluff were passed for shipment and 14 at Foxton, 32 at Wellington and 28 at Bluff were condemned.

Auckland — 656 1,151 304 Napier — 140 17 Foxtou — 602 2,605 I0 5 Wellington 36 i,375 2,051 217 Blenheim 63 104. 7 ■— Picton S3 — 131 32 Dunedin r-r-5 6 98 — Bluff — 167 563 44

Napier — 20 — — 20 Foxton 126 694 6 — 826 Wellington 306 1,013 231 50 1,600 Blenheim 1 7 14 — — 3i Picton 32 44 65 — 142 Dunedin 1 7 2 — 19 Bluff — 180 187 7 383