NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

Southland Times, Issue 1335, 15 November 1870, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

M*LAin>BBS3, Hbpbtjbk, and Co.'s monthly Flax Circular, dated London, 9th September, reports : — Since our last Circular of the 12th ultimo, -we bave bad heavy arrivals of New Zealand flax, ten vessels, bringing in all nearly 4000 bales, having beea reported. At the same time rather large supplies have been put upon the market, and holders have Bhown a great disposition to effect ■ales, consequently prices have ruled very irregular, and Bhow an average fall of fully £2 per ton. The various Docks and Wharves have now been induced to publish monthly a return of the imports, deliveries, and stock of this fibre; and it ie satisfactory to see by the table at foot that the deliveries during the month of August ' exceeded 300 tons, showing that notwithstanding - the dull state of our manufacturing trade, and the absence of demand for export to the Continent, New Zialand flax is " steadily eaining fevor with oar ropemakers, which is t not

surprising, seeing at what low prices it can be now purchased compared with other fibres with which if has to compete; We only fear that the unsatisfactory result shown by account sales now going out will disgust and discourage shippers, and when our manufacturers get used to working the article, and appreciate it, they will find only a small and deficient Bupply. We cannot encourage shipments of common undressed sorts, but hope that good qualities, clean and pJe in color, will come forward pretty freely • and such, we feel confident, will find a ready sale at about £25 per ton. Some flax spinners have been induced to turn their attention to the article, but as yet few specimens have been re-eived that have been reported upon as useful for weaving purposes. 18 bales marked P & S, ex. Wild Duck, sold at auction at £27 15s per ton, we wish to draw attention to, the fibre being fine, soft, and of good color, but very imperfectly cleaned, much yellow straw adhering to portions of it, but it is evidently the young plant, and from its softness and good color the fibre would, if better cleaned, we feel satisfied, find buyers in larger quantity at a higher price. Tow, in our last, we gave a too favorable report of, for some spinners who purchased small parcels at £13 15s to £14 15s per ton for mixing with jute in the manufacture ' of heavy goods, now find that their machinery is not adapted to it, and as the supply iscomparatively small at present, there is little likelihood of their going to the expense of new machinery suitable to its manufacture ; the price has consequently again declined to £12 to £12 10s per ton. The most recent sales of flaxJiave-been at £11 to £13 10s for very common to good half-dressed, £14 to £17 5s for inferior to fair quality, barely three» fourths cleaned ; £18 to £22 5s for threer fourths and fairly cleaned. £23 to £26 for well dressed but mixed color, and £31 5s to £31 10s per ton for superior, clean, and good color.