Boom in Flax.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2133, 21 July 1898, Page 2

Boom in Flax.

There is strong probability of a “ boom ” in the flax industry in the Te Aroha riding.; Flax at present is fetching £l7 a ton, and prices are hardening." There were three mills in the neighbourhood, but work.has for a long been in abeyance, and prospects of renewed activity is them, at least, had been abandoned. A new complexion has been put upon the industry as far as Te Aroha is concerned, by the enterprise of a well known Manawaru resident. We refer to Mr Andrew Farmer, who has lately erected a flax mill on his property in that flourishing settlement. The building is situated on the banks of the Waihou River, beside the Manawaru bush, in order to take advantage of the fuel supplies afforded by such proximity j it being Mr Farmer’s in tenton to use wood in generating motive power, in the place of coal. This will serve a double purpose, clearing the bush and economising .the fuel bill. A piece of independent testimony reached us Only yesterday as to the value of flax grown in this district Speaking, on the subject, Messrs Carr, Johnston and Co., Fort Street, Auckland/ stated day fthaifetfie<flax from"' the Te Aroha fields was second .to none for quality in this colony. It is Mr Farmer’s intention to open his mill a week from to day, when he will be prepared to buy any quantity of flax, at current prices, from local growers. It is well known what a good year in flax means-to Te Aroha. Employment being found for so many hands, a generally air of prosperity is at once noticeable. The commencement of operations at the Manawaru settlement means work for at least forty hands immediately, and we anticipate a period has probably been put to .local stagnation in business.