CLIPPINGS FROM THE EUROPEAN MAIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 261, 5 November 1869, Page 2

CLIPPINGS FROM THE EUROPEAN MAIL

o . The giant strides of the telegraph bid fair to compass the whole world. There are projects for surrounding the coasts of Africa aod South America, for bringing China, Australia, New Zealand, Borneo, the Philippine Islands, and even Japan within its range. New cables are also proposed from Europe to North and South America ; other schemes are for having independent lines, skirting the coasts of Portugal and Spain, through the Straits of Gibraltar, to and down the Red Sea to ludia ; so that ia a few years we may hope to be within speaking distance of our fiiends even at the Antipodes. The import of New Zealand uative flax (Phormium tenax) is becomiug of great importance here, and far " clean" parcels a market is readily found at from £30 to £40 10s. per ton. It is said that there is an openiug of the fibre to compete with Manilla hemp, fair samples of which realise £50 per ton. There is, however, room for improvement in the mode of cleaning adopted iv the colony, and if the gum and other adherent matter be removed without weakening the fibre, there is little doubt that much better prices would be obtained. This point is commended to the earnest attention of producers and shippers. A fine fibre is also spoken of, said to be prepared from tussock crass in New Zealand, and valued from £40 to £45 a ton, of which sample shipments are strongly recommended. Twenty-one tierces of Australian mutton were sold at Liverpool on August 18, at 5(1. per lb. This is the highest price yet obtained.