FLAX.

Auckland Examiner, Volume IV, Issue 278, 4 July 1860, Page 3

FLAX.

Tt is now four years since the Government.offered a reward of £l,OOO for the discovery of a method by which to render the flax of this country a permanent marketable commodity; Hitherto that reward has apparently failed in its object—no one having complied with its conditions; but we have reason to hope that the increased attention, which seems lately to have been given to the dressing of flax, will eventually and e’re long result in success. The gratifying results of the operations at Nelson, are stated to be fully equalled by our friends in Auckland. A notice has been published in the Gazette, by a Mr. Purchas, of his intention to apply to the General Assembly fir an Act to protect a discovery he has made ; and Baron de Thierry has lately exhibited specimens very far in advance of any he has hitherto produced. Wellington, we are happy to say, is not. likely to be behindhand in this matter ; but bids fair lo claim the honor of ranking foremost in the value of her discoveries Mr. Stuart, of the firm of Stuart and Kinross, has obligingly shown us a sample of very excellent quality prepared in this town, by a process at once simple, expeditious, and of small cost. On Friday last that gentleman waited on the Superintendent in company with Messrs. Bentham, and Giesen, who claim the merit of discovery. The samples submitted were perfectly free from all gummy substance, and partake largely of that soft silky feel which characterises first class samples of Russian flax. The Superintendent undertook to introduce a Bill into the forthcoming session of the General Assembly, with the view to confer the patent rights, and until this has been dene it will be easily understood that no particulars of the mode of preparation can be published. It must be highly satisfactory, however, to our readers to learn that Mr. Bentham’s process is very, simple, and a perfect miracle of expedition. Mr. Brandon, who happened to be present at the interview above mentioned, offered some leaves of the cultivated plant, which on being procured, were dsessed, and the fibre in its marketable state was submitted to his honor within three hours. This augurs well for the process,and raises our hopes that the discovery will open up to the colonists of this country an export which, combined with that of wool, will render New Zealand of incalculable value to the Mother Country, and lead to that amount of protection and fostering care being extended to wards her which, owing to native difficult.ic, she so much needs.—Wellinytaii Independent.