THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 75, 30 March 1871, Page 2

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

We learn from the Marlborougli Express that 123 bales of flax sent home from that province last year by the Alexaudriua hud realised very excellent pricesc. The article was the produce of Messrs. Logan and Sinclair's mill, and the prices obtained, as quoted below, are such as to encourape all who are at present engaged in the flax trade?, showing as they <!o, that if proper attention be paid to the manufacture, and a real good article turned -nit it, will b". sure to realize well in the London market, unless, of course, it should receive damage on the way home. The following is a copy of the return received liy Messrs. Logan and SinclaijMte*-

By thirf it will be seen that the bulk of the shipment brought from £33 to £36 10-s. per ton, so that there is no cause for manufacturers to despair of being able to dispose of their produce at remunerative prices, if they will but talce pains to prepare it thoroughly. Whether or not the whole of the flax set down as "seadamaged" is actually spoiled on the voyage home, or whether a great deal of the moisture that is ascribed to sea water is not the result of carelessness in packing and stowing on shore is an open question. It appears from the Express that a quantity of flax was lately brought down to Blenheim from the Wairau Valley for storing, but before being stowed three bales were noticed to be somewhat damp and so recorded. Only a few days later, something in the appearance of one of them induced the owner of the store to open it out, when it was found to be wet in the centre, and while perfectly bright and light colored outside, the inside of the hauks were quite discolored and matted, consequently it was opened out to dry, and further examination proved it to be quite rotten, some of the fibres breaking off like so much rotten hay, and being quite as dead to the feel. It is always well to turn the misfortunes of others to account, and we therefore give publicity to the above fact in order that our manufacturers may take warning from it, aud use the utmost care to prevent their bales from being exposed to the action of the weather. By the ship Beautiful Star, which recently sailed from Port Underwood, we notice that 218 bales were sent home, in which were included several parcels from this province. It is gratifying to find that this native product is gradually being turned to account and we hope to hear that the prices realised

will be sucli as to encourage the growth of an industry which must eventually prove of such importance to the colony. Fn many parts of the Waimeas, especially in Waimea West, there are numerous parches of ground on which this useful plant is still growing most luxuriantly, and it surely would be worth while for the owners of the lands on which it is to bo found to combine in purchasing a machine wherewith to turn it to account. There are always afew comparatively idle weeks immediately after harvest when the farm laborers might be profitably employed in cutting the leaves, and the teams made use of in cartiug them to some central spot on which the mill should be erected. By adopting such a. plan, that which is now running to waste might be made to swell the exports of the province, and to put a few pounds into the pockets of the farmers who are complaining, and not without reason, of the difficulties they experience in making both ends meet. Without going into further particulars we commend to their notice the hint we have thrown out.

TKIt To>'. 15 bales not classified . . £36 15 0 30 „ „ . 3G 10 0 'J7 „ Class I. . . 35 15 0 25 „ Class H. slightly damaged 33 0 0 10 „ Class HE. „ „ 22 5 0 16 „ Class IV. „ „ 22 5 0