THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1119, 8 July 1913, Page 4

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Though a slight improvement was noticeable in the hemp graded last month over the general quality of that of the earlier part of the season—this applying more particularly to the Manawat district — there was still a high percentage of indifferent fibre forwarded for shipment. The improvement was specially observable where millers had good leaf to work with. It is unfortunate that much of the leaf being milled is diseased. Those handling it have had, consequently, to be content to work for a "fair” grade.

No doubt the better discrimination in market values between “good fair” and “fair” —the London quotations having increased, from a difference of ios, between the two grades in the beginning of this year to £3, according to the last cable from the High Commissioner — is responsible to a large extent for the improved quality being turned out by millers who have the desired quality of leaf. Millers in Otago and Southland, although working with good quality leaf, though this is a little on the short side, have been producing a lower grade of fibre, the predominant weakness being poor stripping. In some cases the fibre has been badly bruised, while in other instances the opposite was the case, the leaf being only partially stripped. In a few instances millers have maintained their hemp at a good standard. The weather has certainly been all against satisfactory work in the South, the bad drying-conditions being responsible lor a considerable amount of hemp, well enough stripped, only reaching a common grade. It is satisfactory to be able to report, however, that practically all the fibre being produced in Otago and Southland is well scutched, and in this respect is in strong contrast to much of the fibre reaching North Island grading stores. As in the North, southern scutching is done on the contract system.

Quite a uumber of Otago and Southland millers are sending in their hemp very carelessly baled — loose, and thereby making it very difficult for the storemen at the shipping ports to properly dump it and make a presentable package. The same remark applies to tow. In several instances tow has reached the grading-stores with some of the bands missing, and being merely unsightly bundles. This matter demands immediate attention. The oversea shipping companies have already made strong complaints in regard to it. While the tow in question has been badly baled, it has also been of a most unsatisfactory character. In some cases no attempt whatever had been made to free it from dust, while several lines came forward in such a damp condition that they had to be condemned for export. This is disappointing, as in the earlier portion of the seasori Otago and Southland tow was of fairly good quality. In view of the present strong position of the tow market, and the increasing uses to which tow is being put. the indifferent manner in which it is too often prepared for export is much to be regretted. Southern millers in general do not observe the regulations in regard to labelling as carefully as is desired, a weakness which is also complained of by the shipping companies. The required label is used, but the brand is merely cut in instead of being impressed in ink, with the result that the brands are frequently undecipherable. While Westland hemp has receded in quality owing to unfavourable weather, that of Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay is still of a good standard, the bulk of the fibre from these districts being “fine” and “good fair.”—Mr W. H. Ferris in the Journal of the Department of Agriculture.

MAY GRADING RETURNS

Hemp,

The total number of bales of hemp graded was 17,107, as compared with 9,931 for the corresponding month of last year, an increase of 7,176 bales. For the twelve months ending 31st May, 1913, the number ot bales graded was 137,169, as compared with 90,529 lor the previous twelve mouths, the increase being 46,640 bales.

The number of bales graded at each port was : Foxtou 5654, Wei-

lington 4682, Auckland 3922, Bluff 1122, Dunedin 978, Picton 4xß, Blenheim 279, and Lyttelton 5 2 -

The bales dealt with were graded as under :

Good Port. Fine. Fair. Fair. Cora.

At Auckland 114 bales, 67 bales at Wellington and 20 bales at Bluff were rejected and 27 bales at Auckland and 12 at Wellington were condemned. Tow.

During the month 5,128 bales of tow were dealt with, as compared with 2,814 f° r the corresponding month of last year, an increase of 2,314 bales. For the twelve months ending 31st May, 1913, the number of bales graded was 47,003, as compared with 24,855 for the previous months, the increase being 22,148 bales.

The bales dealt with were graded as under

ns o -! First Grade. Sec’nd Grade. Third Grade. Cond. Total.

Strutkk Slips.

Passed for export: Auckland 23, Foxton 248, Wellington 433, Picton 44, Lyttelton 12, Dunedin 37, Bluff 8, total 805. Condemned : Auckland 3, Wellington 30, Dunedin 7, Bluff 10, total 50.

Auckland _ 666 2,212 903 Foxton — 1.569 3,865 220 Wellington — I,9i3 2,454 236 Blenheim 208 — — Picton 175 105 125 13 Lyttelton 52 — — — Dunedin 21 194 502 261 Bluff — 125 821 156

Auckland 26 377 744 281 1428 Foxton 214 603 379 — 1196 1026 207 56 1467 Blenheim 38 — — — 38 Picton 167 29 13 — 209 Lyttelton 13 79 — — 89 Dunedin — 80 76 35 185 BluQ — 92 339 85 5i6