THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1220, 14 March 1914, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

EXHIBIT AT ’FRISCO EXHIBITION.

In regard to the flax exhibition to be sent to the Panama Canal Exposition, to be opened at San Francisco about the end of this year, Mr E. L. Broad, of the Flaxmillers’ Association, informed a Standard reporter that they were awaiting information concerning the exhibition from the Government. They did not know the size the exhibit was to be, whether a ton of fibre or a bale. Nothing had been said either as to insurance, and they were not going to send a valuable exhibit if it was not insured. The Government had been informed of this, and was making inquiries. “The Government,’’ said Mr Broad, “are anxious for us to send an exhibit from the Association showing all grades of hemp, all grades of tow, and class the of stripper slips manufactured.’’ Mr Broad also stated that they had been asked to send a bale to compete against the world’s fibre producers, a gold medal being given for the winning bale. The Government, it was also stated, would soon be sending Mr O’Brien, one of its officers, to get in touch -with the association on the matter. Mr Broad said that the Association would be practically certain to send an exhibit, and it was expected to have the information desired in three weeks’ time.

A meeting concerning the sending of an exhibit from this district will lake place this afternoon at the Manawatu A. and P. Association’s rooms.

FIRE IN FLAX SWAMP

J 01) ACRES BURNED

A serious fire broke out in a flax swamp on Mr Akers’ property at Rtverdale on Wednesday. A block of flax had only just been cut by Messrs Broad and Ingram's men when the fire swept through 100 acres ot the swamp, destroying chiefly the recently cut flax. The damage cannot yet be estimated. If the fire has got into the roots then the damage will be considerable, but if rain comes and washes the peat off more good than harm will have been done to the flax.