FLAX COMMISSIONERS.

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G.—No. 1

consigned has since lain useless. Desiring to know something more respecting the " pulping" of the fibre, on my return to London I sent to Mr. Berridge a small sample of the Native-dressed Phormium tenax, and I asked whether he thought such fibre would be useful to the Company. Mr. Berridge has replied that he will pass the sample " through with the next tank," and will inform me of the result. London, 15th June, 1871. E. Fox.

(No. 124.) —R. Christie & Co. to Chaieman.—London, Bth June, 1871. Your note of 16th March duly arrived, and in compliance with your wishes we have by this post sent you the Board of Trade tables, which show for the years 1868, 1869, 1870 and also for the first quarters of 1871, the fullest information to be obtained in quantities, and also in values, of all fibres imported from abroad under the names of flax, jute, and hemp, also the quantities and values exported, both of the raw material and manufactured goods. We also enclose you copy of a letter to the Hon. Julius Vogel on the subject of New Zealand flax. We think you should send seed of the flax over here to be sown, and then when green and in good condition have the leaves subjected tt> various processes for freeing the fibre from the gum and probably success would be arrived at. A fibre as white, soft and silky as the Natives produce, if in quantity, and 6 feet in length, would readily fetch here, £60 to £70 per ton. Deae Sie, — 4, Sermon Lane, St. Paul's, London, 6th June, 1871. As promised we have used every endeavour to induce manufacturers to make the attempt of spinning and weaving the New Zealand flax into corn sacks, woolpacks, Forfar sheetings, Hessians, and other low class goods, but have not succeeded in one single instance. In order to give the fibre a fair trial we proposed that the manufacturer should go into the market, and himself select whichever kind of New Zealand flax would suit his purposes best, of course purchasing the smallest quantity compatible with the object in view, then spin and weave it into any kind of cloth considered most suitable ; then have it sold on our account and we would defray any loss which there might be on the transaction after compensating the manufacturer for his time and trouble, &c., &c. This offer, which we intended to be a liberal one, was made to several of the highest makers in various classes of goods, and each one states that they have never yet seen any New Zealand flax which could be considered capable of being spun into yarns at all, and consequently it could not be woven into any kind of cloth. We applied to Messrs. Miles Brothers & Co., to give to us, or rather to you, the name and address of the purchaser of their flax, when it came over in the reed ; and they stated that your name has been mentioned in their letters from New Zealand as having introductions to them, and that they would confer with you personally upon your calling. By the last mail we have an application from James Hector, Esq., Chairman of the New Zealand Flax Commission, dated 16th March, Wellington, for full statistical information as to the supply and consumption of all fibres with which the New Zealand flax can compete, and we are forwarding by the outgoing mail the Boarn of Trade tables and any other documentary evidence that we may be in the meantime able to procure; but we feel convinced that attention should be paid to the preparation of the flax upon the spot where grown, so as effectually to get rid of all the growing matter under the most favourable circumstances. Scientific aid may be needful for this, but until this is accomplished the hopes and expectations of any benefit to be derived from New Zealand flax must be very limited. Could the flax be grown in England, and then be treated more successfully here than in the Colony, so as to attain the desired result ? If so, this seems to us to be the quickest way of realising what benefits will accrue to New Zealand from the cultivation of this plant. We have, &c, The Hon. Julius Vogel. Robt. Cheistie & Co.

lII.—REWARDS AND EXHIBITION. (No. 19) —Chaieman to the Hon. Colonial Seceetaet.—sth December, 1870. Although the question of offering rewards for the manufacture of a certain number of corn sacks, wool, or gunny bags, as directed by the resolution of the House of Representatives, has not been directly remitted to the Flax Commissioners by the terms of His Excellency's Commission, and does not indeed come within the limit of the funds placed at their disposal; yet, they deem it a matter of sufficient importance to justify their urging it upon the special consideration of the Government ; and, if any funds can be made available for this purpose other than the £1,000 voted for the expenses of the Commission, they would recommend that a reward of at least £200 should be offered to the first person who shall manufacture within the Colony, from New Zealand flax, either 20,000 corn sacks, or 5,000 wool, or 20,000 gunny bags [Extract fbom Gazette. —3rd February, 1871.] Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd February, 1871. In compliance with recommendations contained in the reports of the Flax Commission Committee * * * that the development of certain industrial pursuits would often be best promoted by 6