HEMP OUTPUT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 139, 10 June 1909, Page 6

HEMP OUTPUT.

A SATISFACTORY INCREASE. The Chief Fibre Expert, Mr C. J. Fulton, in his report on hemp graded for the month of May states that 6476 bales were classed during the month, being only 86 less than for April, but an increase of 1114 bales on the number recorded for the corresponding period of last year. The following is a compara J"'ve statement of the quantity (in bales) of hemp graded in New Zealand for periods ending 31st May:— 1908 1909. For 6 months ... 67,659 47,179 For 12 months ... 114,944 75,470 These figures show a decrease for the twelve months of 38,474 bales. The quality generally has been well maintained, Mr Fulton states. Wellington and Foxton continue to show an improvement in quality; 65 per cet. of their combined output having been } of fine and good fair grades, as against 50 per cent, for the month of April. It is predicted that shortly the pride of place, hitherto held by Marlborough and Canterbury for quality, will be gained by the Welling- j ton district. ■ This improvement is 1 due to the installation of recently invented flax washing machines at several Manawatu mills, which not only enables an excellent quality to be attained, but also lessens the cost or production by saving the labour of two men in each case. Millers are encouraged, to strive for a higher quality by the fact that Australian consumers are eager buyers of fine grade, sales having recently been made on a basis of £23 10s f-0.b., when the market value of good fair was only £19 10s. During the past fortnight prices offered by New Zealand buyers for good fair deliveries to the end of the year, have advanced 30s per ton, viz., from £19 10s to £21. Although the High Commissioner's cable message, under date 29th May, indicated a rise lof only os per ton, and no further rise on sth June, for forward and spot sales, on the London market, there are actual inquiries from that quarter

at 10s advance; also simultaneously from America, at £1 higher. TJie quantity turned out by Wellington is 3025 bales, of which 1830 Vei'-e good fair grade. This was the highest output- for the Dominion, the next highest being 1155 bales, from Foxton. . - The tow graded amounted to 1702 bales, of which. Wellington contributed 621 bales, 45 No. 1 grade, 400 No. 2 grade, and 175 No. 3 grade.