CANTERBURY FLAX ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3565, 21 June 1872, Page 2

CANTERBURY FLAX ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Flax Association was held at 3 p.m. yesterday. Present— His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Richardson, Deßourbcl, Booth, Sheath, Suflield, Anderson, Jenkins, Jameson, Gould. On the motion of Mr Richardson, seconded by Mr Deßourbel, the chair was taken by his Worship the Mayor. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said he was glad to observe the progress which had been made by the society since its establishment. Ho trusted that a still greater impetus would be given to flax manufacture in this province, and those engaged in its preparation had his best wishes. He hoped the industry would prove a remunerative one, and he hadhio doubt it would, and that flax would eventually become a very large article of export from Canterbury. Ho would now call upon the hon. secretary (Mr Bird) to read the annual report. Mr Bi«l read the report as follows ; “ Report of the second Annual Meeting of the Canterbury Flax Association, held at the Rooms, Cashel street, Christchurch, on Thursday, June 20, 1872.

"Your committee have much pleasure in meeting the members of the Association at this their second annual meeting. “ The proceedings of your sub-committee during the past year have been so fully reported in the local papers that it is considered unnecessary to trouble the members of the Association with any lengthened report. “ Your committee refer with satisfaction to the exhibition of fibres held in Wellington in September last, under the auspices of the General Government, which was visited by a largo number of persons, all of whom appeared to take a lively interest in the numerous exhibits, which were arranged with much oare and judgment. The samples forwarded by your Association, were amongst some of the best in the exhibition. “Twelve meetings of your sub-committee

and four quarterly meetings of member# have been held during the year. “ The interest taken in the proceedings of the association is evidenced by the numerous letters that have been received from all parts of the colony, as well as from Europe, and one of the largest linen manufacturers in Hamburgh has sent an order to the association for halt a ton of dried leaves, with a promise of future orders, should the shipment turn out satisfactory. Your committee would take this opportunity of recording its best thanks to Mr C. Thorne of Loudon, who Ims been labouring #ozealously,and with such importantrcsults for the future of the flax industry, in succeeding in getting our fibre worked up into fabrics. The results of that gentleman's efforts in this direction have already been exhibited in the rooms. Mr Thome is still prosecuting his labours, and anticipates encouraging prospects for the future.”

“ Your committee refer, with satisfaction to the enhanced value of the fibre in the Home markets, the average price of the several qualities being now £33 per ton as compared with £23 10s last year.” “ Your committee regret that advantage has not been taken of the liberal bonus of £2OOO. offered by the Provincial Government for the manufacture of sacks and bagging. The quantities of these articles, 1426 hales, representing a value of £22,898 imported into this province alone during the last twelve months, would point to an opening for the establishment of a remunerative industry m the province.

“ The adaptability of the fibre of the phormium for paper-making purposes is a point that has engaged the attent ion of your subcommittee. In consequence of the rapidly increasing demand for paper of all kinds, every material that can possibly be used for the purpose, has been made available, and their number has within the last four years attained an importance of the first magnitude. The demand for paper still exceeds the supply. “ Among all the materials used for papermaking, Esparto or Spanish grass and Alfa or African Esparto have been favoured beyond any other fibrous plant. Most manufacturers have now adapted their machinery to reducing Esparto into pulp. In 1861, no less than 8000 tons were brought to the L'nited Kingdom, since then the importation has rapidly increased, and the price of the article has naturally risen in proportion. A regular decrease of Esparto has occurred year by year, and in consequence large importations of diss, palm leaves, and other fibres have been made. “No less than 33,507 packages of wood pulp, and averaging about 1800 tons weight have been shipped to London alone. “ The balance sheet, duly audited, is laid before the members, and your committee would earnestly express a hope that the present subscribers, and the public generally, will liberally come forward with their contributions to enable the association to continue its work for at least another year, as they have no funds beyond what may be derived from the donations of the friends of the association. In the present state of this industry, fraught as it unquestionably is, with so much importance to the future welfare of the colony, your committee is of opinion that it would be highly discouraging were the association to be dissolved for want of outside support, as all the information in the liands of your sub-com-mittee leads to the conclusion that the demand for New Zealand hemp is steadily increasing, and that the trade must eventually grow into some magnitude and importance, as the fibre is now firmly established as an article of export, and is eagerly bought up by the brokers at home, to which results the efforts of your association have contributed in no inconsiderable degree. Before dismissing this subject, your sub-committee would remind the subscribers that a considerable outlay has been incurred in the renting and planting of an acre of ground contiguous to the City Xursery in Antigua street, from which important results are looked for as regards the artificial cultivation of the plant.” The balance sheet was also read, from which it appeared that the receipts during the year amounted to £356 5s Id, and the expenditure to £273 18s lid ; balance iu hand, £B2 6s 2d. Mr Gould moved “That the report and balance sheet be adopted. He hoped that manufacturers would increase their operations, because there was no doubt that a very much larger quantity than was now exported would be bought up at home.

Mr Jameson thought the committee should have given the meeting some information as to the decrease which had taken place of late in the quantity of flax manufactured in the province.

Mr Richardson said that the information could be obtained from the Custom House quarterly returns. In future, however, it would be as well for the committee to include the information in their report. The resolution was put and carried. Mr Jameson moved—“ That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that the association bo continued in its present form, for another year at least.” Mr Deßourbel seconded the motion. Mr Richardson reported that all the plants put in the association’s nursery had struck, and were doing well. (Hear, hear.) The motion was pat, and carried. Mr Anderson moved—" That the following gentlemen bo appointed a sub-committee, for the ensuing year: —Messrs Richardson, DeBourbel, Sheath, Jenkins, Booth, Jameson, Gould, jEnsor, and Hassal.” Mr Deßourbel seconded the motion. On the motion of Mr Richardson, the name of Mr Pavitt was added to the committee. The motion, as amended, was agreed to. On the motion of Mr Sheath, seconded by Mr Booth, Mr John Anderson was re-appointed hon. treasurer. Mr Jenkins moved that Mr Bird be reelected hon. secretary. Mr Richardson seconded the motion. He spoke the feeling of the sub-committee when he said that a better secretary could not be found in Christchurch. Mr Bird had given up a great deal of his time to the service of the Association, and he hoped that Air Bird would consent to act for another year. The motion was carried. Mr Bird thanked the meeting for its expression of confidence in him, and said he would continue to do his best for the interests of the Association. Air Richardson said he had waited on the Government with regard to the £2OOO voted by the Provincial Council last session as a bonus for the manufacture of corn sacks, bagging, 4c., and the Government said t.W. asthe amount was on the estimates, they did not think the Council would have any objection to its being re-voted, if applied for within a reasonable time. Mr Inglis said he had no doubt the Council would re-vote the money. Air Booth said lie thought the Association should turn its attention to the important work of classifying llax prior to shipment. He perceived by the returns from home that flax which looked £lO per bale better iu Christchurch than other flax, actually brought less iu the Loudon market; consequently, manufacturers had no data to go upon. Air Inglis corroborated what had been stated by Air Booth, and expressed bis willingness to do all in his power to assist in the work of classification. Mr Richardson said the Flux Commissioners had taken a great deal of pains in the matter of classification, and up to the time of the exhibition in Wellington last season they had classifications sent out from time to time from the Agent-General of the colony, showing that the prices wore regulated entirely by the adaptability or otherwise of dressed New Zealand hemp mixing with manilla, and the worst dressed flax brought the highest price simply because it was of a similar colour aud could bo mixed with manilla without being detected. Mr Booth said that the remarks that had been made shewed the necessity for the presence of a classifier in London. Air Bird said that, for the information of the meeting, ho might state that a case had been sent to the Custom House by the General Government, which would shew the classification iu the English market. Mr Sheath said that he had been very careful for somo time iu the manufacture of flax He bad sent homo shipments, and what was the most surprising part of the business to him was, that somo flux of the same shipment was sold for £2l, and other portions at intermediate prices up to £35 for exactly the same

flax. He thought, therefore, tliat it would b° b Advantage to flax dressers if they had sora e agent in London to classify the flax, oxamin o it, and see that there was nothing done to it detrimental to its value at the sales. The damaged flax might be put aside, and perhaps 19-20th of the flax would be sold at higher prices than wore now obtained. He thought it would bo an advantage to have a classifier in London. Mr Inglis said ho could corroborate Mr Sheath in what he hod said. Ho was quite aware of a higher price being obtained for what appeared to him to bo a worse sample of flax, and he had known the prices for the same flax to range from £25 to £36 10s. At present the flax trade was not sufficiently large to admit of its being classified in London. It must be left to those to whom it was conjsigned to do the best they could. Mr Jameson moved—“ That the sub-com-mittee be empowered to offer prizes during the year, not exceeding £SO in all, for improvements in machinery for dressing or weaving flax fibre.” Mr Booth said lie would second the motion if Mr Jameson agreed to limit the amount to £3O. Mr Jameson said ho did not think (.ho sum too largo. It might be divided into two or three prizes. Mr Bichordson said he would second the motion proforma. He did not think it would bo of any real advantage to the association, because it was evidently directed to the improvement of machinery, and any attempt at improving this machinery would involve the outlay of a considerable sum of money. He would rather see a resolution calling on the Government to give a large sum for an improved machinery that might be of some service to flax dressers, but the present proposition would perhaps only lead the committee into a few pounds expense in advertising, j without the slightest good. > Mr Sheath said he gathered from what had fallen from Mr Jameson that his object was to offer a reward to people who would be likely to make up a loom. He liad heard of several weavers in Canterbury who had said they could make a loom for bagging, but it would be too much expense. If they could get people to make hand looms and start weaving, it might be of advantage to the province. It was done at home; cloth was woven in pieces in families at home ; and here it might be of great service to persons living in the country districts. Many of them might be able to weave if they bad looms, and rewards of £lO or £2O offered to people for looms for bagging purposes might be a commencement in that way. He thought this was what Mr Jameson intended by his resolution, and if so, it would do good. I Mr Jameson said he meant to include that, but an improvement in the stripper alone would be of incalculable value. One person might produce a loom or a flax dresser of a kind that would not be approved. The association should give rewards for any advantage they gained. Mr Inglis said it appeared to him that the resolution was so very vague that it might lead to all this money being spent to little purpose. The committee might be giving the money away for a mere trine. If anything was to be done in this direction it ought to be more clearly defined. The money should be placed at the disposal of the sub-committee to spend in whatever way they thought best for the promotion of the object aimed at. If the resolution stood in that form, he should support it. The resolution ought to go on to say what should be the test of the improvement. If it were put m a form that the test should be lie production of a certain amount of imS roved fibre, they would then have something efinite to go upon. He could not vote for the resolution in its present form. Mr Anderson said he did not see how the sub-committee could act on such a resolution as this, because circumstances might arise that were not now dreamt of. If the money were to be voted for this purpose, the whole thing to be left in the hands of thesub-committee, to spend the money as they thought fit, and as surrounding circumstances might induce them to spend it, he thought they should not bind the committee, but simply leave the money in their hands. He would vote for a resolution in that form, but in no other. Mr Bird informed the meeting that last year a resolution was passed giving the snb-com-mittee liberty to spend £IOO unconditionally. Mr Richardson suggested that it ought to be left to the committee altogether, as they knew what was the feeling of the meeting in the matter. The committee had to meet the association once every three months, and they really had the management of the association in their hands during the interval. He thought it would be well to leave it to the committee altogether. Mr Bird read the resolution which was passed at the previous general meeting. Mr Inglis moved, as an amendment — u That the sum of £SO be placed at the disposal of the sub-committee, to be appropriated by them in giving bonuses for improved machinery or otherwise for the promotion of the manufacture of flax as may seem to them fit.” Mr Jameson said he would withdraw his motion in favour of Mr Inglis’ proposal. The amendment expressed exactly what he intended.

He amendment, put as a substantive resolution, was agreed to. Mr Richardson moved a vote of thanks to the chairman. He only hoped that in the coming season the chairman would use his best endeavours to get the shipping and other charges on flax reduced as much as he could, and he hoped that the wishes expressed by the chairman at the opening of the meeting would be fully realised before they met again. (Hear, hear.) Mr 1 nails seconded the vote of thanks. He should like to see the freights reduced, but at the same time he would point out that the question of reducing shipping chargeo depended very little indeed on the merchants; it depended on the owners. Flax must be put on the same footing as other produce. The motion was carried by acclamation, and the proceedings thereupon terminated.