FLAX.

We have hitherto abstained from saying much about the prospects of the Flax trade in this settlement, because we did not consider that its preparation had been attended with such success as to render it certain that it would become an article of export with us. During the past pear two small machines have been in operation, but, swing to their imperfect construction anduhe deficiency of a sufficient moving power, the flax prepared by them was not of a first-rate quality, while the expense of preparation was an effectual bar to export. A considerable quantity of rope has, however, been made in the settlement from flax thus prepared, and has been sold both for colonial use and to captains of vessels in the harbour.

We think that we are now in a position to give a more encouraging report on the subject. The Flax Mill which has for some time past been in course of erection in the Waimea (about two miles from Nelson), by Mr. Ryder, is now in operation, and the flax already turned out has been pronounced by all the judges who have seen it to be the best, both in quality of fibre and cleanliness, of any they have seen, with the exception of some of the samples prepared by Mr. Partridge, of Wellington, for the finer descriptions of weaving. But the great advantage which Mr. Ryder's machine possesses is the capability of preparing the article at a very moderate cost — probably as low as £12 per ton to the shipper.

The flax which has been sent home from Wellington has been (with the exception, we believe, of Mr. Partridge's finer samples before alluded to) entirely prepared by the natives, or, if by Europeans, on the native plan, that is by scraping the leaf with a muscle shell. The result is a very imperfect division of the fibre, and the adherence to it of a large portion of the epidermis, which, both as regards its shipping and manufacturing properties, are great disadvantages. Mr. Ryder's machine excels in these respects. The fibre is thoroughly divided, and every particle of epidermis thoroughly cleansed away ; the article being, in our opinion, incomparably better than the native preparation. The cost of the native flax purchased by trade on the coast is, we understand, between £11 and £12.

We learn from our Wellington contemporary that the flax which was sent home by the Clydeside last year realised in London £20 a ton. It was known, however, to be a bad sample, and to have arrived in a very damaged state. That which followed by the Nelson, in September, ought to test the English market as regards the native prepared article, and reports of its sale may be expected by the Bella Marina, or at all events the following ship. We sincerely

hope they may be sufficiently encouraging to induce the merchants here to turn their attention to the subject, which we understand they have hitherto been shy of doing. It would perhans not be amiss if they should give this important article a trial, by sending home a few tons of Mr. Ryder's flax at once, without waiting for advices. While the paper manufacturers at home are giving upwards of £30 a ton for old rags from Germany, we think there could be no great risk in consigning a little flax at a cost price of £12 a ton or thereabouts.

We beg to call attention to an advertisement in our columns of to-day, calling a Meeting on the subject of the Fiax, at the Institution, on Tuesday at noon, of which we trust the result will be to give the trade a fair trial.