FREIGHT ON FLAX.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 276, 24 November 1869, Page 2

FREIGHT ON FLAX.

To the Editor op the Nelson- "EvEinua Mail. Sir, — A letter appeared in to day's Eraminer signed " Native Industry," whifh contains such reckless mis-statements as are only too frequently maie in Nelson, that I take the earliest opportunity of contradicting them. One small shipment of flax has lately been made from this Province to London, weighing -22 cwt., and until it was ascertained what space it would occupy after being pressed, the Captain, agreed to take it at seventy shillings per ton, measurement, and as the cubic contents of tlie packages were 9ift. lOin , it follows that the rate of £5 uer ton. or six-sevenths of a penny per lb. was less than tlie freight on wool, which is about £s 10s per ton, or .-even-eighths of a penny per lb. from : his place, Wellington, and other ports in ihe Colonv Within the last day or two an offer has been made by a mercantile firm in Canterbury to charter a vessel no*- lying in this Port, to load from Lvttelton. a full and comp'ete curgo of pressel flax at £6 6* per t<n weiirht. which serve* to show that the rate above-mentioned lor a small qu unity of 22 cwt. was not excessive. I may state that that th- producer of the above-mentioned quantity of flax received ;in advance of £15 per ton upon ir, wiih >utany charge whatever b ing made for either inter st or commission ; he simply pavs the actual ch-irg«-s incurred inthetrinsmissionof tlieflax to London, and the sale expenses on arrival. He cannot theref re complain of the, merchant's charges, seeing that lie has non-.-; to pay. Tiie entire expenses on the s-ile of the flax, including freight, are not lik»ly to exceed £10 per ton. IK the writer ot" the letter referred to would confine himself to actual facts instead of wriing such riilicuiou- nonsense about, •' Merchants real in helping the place a- head," it would be far more to his credit, and probably tend more to the real advancement of the Province. I am, &c, Geo. Bennett. Nelson, Nov. 24, ISG9.