GUM AND FLAX FROM THE WAIKATO.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2681, 19 February 1866, Page 4

GUM AND FLAX FROM THE WAIKATO.

A gentleman who has lately travelled through the Waikato district gives us the following information with respect to the native trade in flax and gum : — "At this time there are upwards of two hundred natives busily engaged digging for kauri gum in Waikato. It is spread thickly over the low grounds, and in many places within the distance of one n^le from the river Horotiu. It is said that one active and indnstrious Maori oan, if not called off by any other business, dig from two to three hundred weight daily, immediately upon the banks of the Mangawara Creek. On the borders of the swamps the soil is of a spongy dark colour, except here and there insulated patches of manukau (tea-tree). This kind of land contains the heaviest gum, of a superior quality. The Mangawara possesses great advantages over all other creeks in this whole district, by reason of ita uniformity of breadth and depth. It runs in a westerly direction into the Waikato, at the foot of Mount Taupiri. Max, which engrossed the chief attention of the old traders, abounds in the district, more particularly the Tihore, the fibre of which, when properly cleaned, is considered equal for its length, and fineness to any grown in the north, of New Zealand. Little has yet been done by the natives since the breaking out of the late war at producing dressed flax for sole. Some natives hare now turned their attention to the preparation of this article, which promises at some future time to become one of our main exports. Ib is the opinion of persons who have been for many years familiar with the flax trade, that it may be prosecuted to great advantage in Waikato, providing sufficient encouragement is given to the natives. At Maungatautari great labour is bestowed by the natives on the cleaning process, which is done by scraping off the outer skin of the flax by means of a piece of iron hoop attached to a wooden-horse — constructed especially for the purpose of flaxdressing. "Mr. J. W. Young and Oo.'s river steamer ' Waipa the other day took down a large quantity of kauri gum to the Bluff from Ngaruawahia, dug in the district. The natives, it; is said, liave already sold one hundred aud seventy pounds worth of gum to the traders on the river Horotiu. Mr. E.. Simpson's store at Ngaruawahia has been doing a brisk business in the flour trade with) the gum-diggers since the commencement. The natives of the district conduct themselves in a most straightforward manner in all their dealings, and 'express a wish to continue to live on friendly terms with the storekeepers, who do their utmost to give satisfaction."