THE FLAX INDUSTRY AT RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1498, 9 February 1882, Page 2

THE FLAX INDUSTRY AT RAGLAN.

Of all local industries which at the present time do most to keep this district in a prosperous condition, (writes our correspondent) there can be no denying that the preparation 'of flax (phoriniuin tenax) holds the first position. From the very time that attention was first given to its manufactui*e a large quantity of it has been exported from here. The amount of the green article growing here is* considerable and is, generally speaking, of excellent quality. I have it from good authority that Raglan flax has the reputation of being amongst the best that is sold in the Auckland market, and even when forwarded by the merchants to Great Britain it there maintains a first place in the flax market. Great care and skill are bestowed upon its preparation by the millers here, and it must be a source of gratification to them to find their efforts in this direction amply rewarded. About ten years ago there were more mills wovkiug here than now. When the flax went down in price several of them ceased working; some, however, ke^t steadily on. Now that a fair price is being again got for the article most of the old mills are started, and two new ones have been erected. There are now six mills going, turning out on the average ten tons of the finished article eveiy week. Reckoning the market value of this from £2o to £21 per ton we^wiUat once perceive the value of this exports 'I have been told that quite lately the "Hannah Mokau" took away about 18 tons in one trip. The two new mills which I have mentioned as having been erected recently, belong one to Messrs. Phillips and Ormsby, of Ruapuke, and the other to Mr Ellis, of Aotea. That owned by Messrs. Phillips and Ormsby is as far as regards the quantity of flax growing adjacent to it par excellence. The supply is almost unlimited. Mr Ellis, although not so much favoured in this way, can still with a little exertion procure plenty and it has this redeeming feature, it is of the best quality. Mr T. Kendall who manages for him appears to be an adept at his work, and turns out one of the best finished samples in the district. I understand it is the intention of Mr Ellis to make some substantial improvements in the working of his mill by the introduction of some machinery which Messrs. Fraser and Tinne have made for him. From all accounts I believe it will prove a great success. There is still room for many more mills, and I have little doubt that if flax goes on continuing to command its present value we shall before long see several more erected. I know of hundreds of acres of land in this district covered thickly with thef'Aw material. A time is coming vrhenjw this will be utilised and flax will forf&rA larger article of export from this port than it now does.

How Milk Should be T^ken.— Milk is a faod that should not be taken in copious draughts like beer or other fluids, which differ from it I dlL&iinigally > . Milk should be slowly takerivin, mouthfuls at intervals, and thus it f4fl^ rightly dealt with by the *gastric/jiii,ce^ ;M milk be taken.affcer other', $o^i"tifjalmost sure to burden the 'sto^ch^ and to cause discomforfrand prolongeiiTinaigestiori, •' and this, Jor the obtiousffeas^n that, there is insufficient digestive agency to dispose of it. And/,th^be^;«le7fl|^l^yjof the milk, the more^seje^^tne'diacomfort will be under these conditiotis.