FLAX.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1149, 3 May 1870, Page 2

FLAX.

Messrs. G. & J. A. Noble report a very limited bu--ines_ in New Zealand flax, but they say that last sales show a rather better feeling w.th regard to its use, and they hope to be able to .report a more decided opinion in this direction next in oath. Messrs. Ellis and Hale observe :— Our market is flat, and sale's only mado at a considerable decline ,* and out of 1,027 balea offered early iv February, ouly 300 bales sold ; common and half*dressed, £18 10s. to £24; fair clean, £29 105. to £30 per ton j tow, £10 to £12. Since then, of 140 bales afc public sales only a part found buyers afc £20 ss. for h .lf-dressed, and £30 to £3L 10s. for good cleaned; tow, £11 ss. per ton. '"Anglo-Australian," in the European Mail, says : — ■* Since the last mail tho position of New Zealand flax in the market here has been all in favor of buyers, and they, as well as sellers, are now fuily assured that no more high prices wil) be seen, at any rate, f.r some time to come. Present quotations run as follows :— Part dro<scd, 195. ; fair, 255. ; fine, 31s. I may mention that thero are to be found a few large importers who, over s'anguiue as it seems to me, hold out for former, high figures, or nearly so. There is before me the report of oue of the largest linns of ropomakers iii the north, and they consider the articlo a failure as an Untarred rope, but when tarred think it will command a Jimited market at a low price. This verdict must be taki-u for what it is worth, since thoy are large buyers, aud havo consumed to my certain knowledge over 100 tons. The best thing lhat cat. be hoped for the article is a temporary cessation of shipmonts ; for tlio market is now flooded with the flax, and time is wanted to look round, aud to sell tke manufactured articlo.