THE HEMP INDUSTRY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2248, 8 March 1921, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY

FEBRUARY GRADING RETURNS

The following return of the hemp, tow and stripper slips graded during the month of February has been issued by the Department of Agriculture :

Hemp.—The total number of bales graded was 9,151 as compared with 10,969 for the corresponding period of last year, a decrease of 1,818 bales. For the 12 months ended 28th February, 1921, the number of bales graded was 86,429, as compared with 93,095 for the previous 12 months, a decrease of 6,666 bales.

Tow. —During the month 1,669 bales were graded, as compared with 2,194 for the same month last year, a decrease of 525 bales. For the .12 months ended 28th February, 1921, the number of bales graded was 18,789, as compared witr 19,999, a decrease of 1/210 bales, for the previous 12 months. Stripper-slips. — 265 bales, as compared with nil for the same month last year. For the 12 months ended 28th February, 1921, the number of bales graded was 1660, as compared with 12 bales for the previous 12 months, an increase of 1,648 bales. The detailed particulars of the grading of hemp at each port are as follows: — Good High

One hundred and seven bales at Picton, and 33 at Blenheim, were graded fine; 13 at Foxton and 96 at Wellington were rejected, and 3 bales at Wellington were condemned.

The following shows the number of bales in each grade, the figures for Jhe corresponding month of last year being given in parentheses: — Fine 140 (52), good fair 1,787 (2,308), high fair 4,782 (5,795), fair 2,044 (2,603), common 286 (207), rejected 109 (4), condemned 3 (0). The number of bales graded at each port was as follows: —Auckland 1,170, Foxton 2,176, Wellington 4,448, Napier 422, Picton 107, Blenheim .152, Bluff 346, Dunedin 330.

The following are the details of the tow graded: —

Five' bales, at Wellington were condemned.

The number .of bales in each grade was as under, the figures for the corresponding month of last year being given in parentheses: First 706 (022), second 895 (1,199), third 63 (70), condemned 5 (3).

Pori. Fair. Fair. Fair. Com. Auckland 3.15 332 400 57 Foxton 215 1573 331 14 Wellington 427 2500 1148 208 Napier 422 — — — Picton — — — — Blenheim 79 — 30 1 Bluff 230 94 22 — Dunedin 00 217 38 0

1st. 2nd. 3rd. “ Tl. Auckland 205 - .86 43 129 Fox-ton 205 268 — 473 Wellington 385 410 20 820 Napier 50 — — 50 Picton 35 — — 35 Blenheim 31 36 — 67 Bluff — 92 — 92 Dunedin — 3 3