CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 132, 14 September 1844, Page 109

CORRESPONDENCE.

NEW ZEALAND FLAX. To thk Editor of the Nelson Examiner.

Sir — When things come to the worst they must mend. So says the proverb, and expeperience justifies the conclusion, and I think our present position will prove it. "While, therefore, the New Zealand Company and the noble lord at the head of the ColoniaJ Department are squabbling at home, and our sapient Governor is indulging in his quixotic Maori monomania, allow me to address to your

readers a few remarks upon the native flax, with directions for its preparation. It must be evident to every reflecting mind that the time is arrived when stern necessity will compel all who intend to remain in the colony to be "up and stirring." The settlers of this place have sat too long in silent selfcomplacency, consuming their resources and foolishly witnessing the wasteful expenditure of the greater part of their reserved funds without considering the inevitable result which never fails to attend upon improvident expenditure under irresponsible management. The time, however, has arrived when I may say the whole physical industry of the settlement has been suddenly thrown on the labour market ; and what we have to do is to consider in what manner it is to be set in motion, so as to produce some more lasting and profitable return than it has hitherto done. 1 believe it is agreed upon all hands that our great staple commodity for export ought to be Flax; and I am of opinion that there is no valid reason why it should not be so. In the hope that it may become so, I have, at the request of Mr. Murant (the interpreter to the land commissioner, Mr. Spain), taken the following interesting information upon the subject from bis note-book; and when we take into consideration his long residence in these islands, together with his intimate knowledge of the language, customs, and habits of the natives, as well as of the various vegetable and mineral productions of both islands, I need not say another word to induce every settler to read it with particular attention.

In the first place it is essential that the quality of the various sorts of flax should be properly understood, to prevent an unnecessary waste of time and expense in attempting to bring to perfection some of them, which, from their nature, it k impossible to accomplish. I will therefore enumerate the various sorts, and describe their peculiar properties.

First and foremost is the Tihori. This is the stoutest and best kind. It is known from the others by the extra substance of its leaf, and by a red tinge on the edges. This is the sort the natives select for cultivation, as it is the easiest to clean. It grows generally in grounds subject to be overflowed by water, in what are called dry swamps, that is, where there is only surface water, and that not all the year round. When transplanted, it is always set in good dry soil, in rows ten feet apart, and six feet apart in the rows.

In gathering the leaves for dressing, they may be either cut or pulled. Where the plants are cultivated they should be pulled, as it frees the stem or root of the refuse, which only injures them. In proceeding to gather the leaves it is necessary to observe if any of them are speckled or their tops droop, as in either case they are too old for use, and will, if mixed with the rest, occasion a great deal of trouble from their hard substance; in cultivated grounds they should be cut away. The next thing to be observed is that there should not be more cut or pulled than can be dressed the same day; but if, from the distance to carry it or from any other cause, it should be necessary to cut a larger quantity, the best way is to tie it up in bundles of twenty or thirty pounds weight, and lay it in clean water, but not to tie the bundles tighter than is necessary to keep the leaves together, as otherwise the leaves become broken, which should be avoided as much as possible. Before proceeding to scrape the leaf, the outer edges should be stripped off; the breadth to depend upon the strip to be removed extending to within a foot of the top of the leaf. This being done, the next step is to cut off the stem about three inches below the junction of the leaf in the stem.

The knife, or shell, or whatever other instrument may be used, is then applied to the top end of the leaf, about one foot from the tip, and and a slight incision made across the original outside of the leaf. When the lower portion of the leaf is cleaned the leaf is reversed, and the top cleaned by the same process.

After this process it may be tied up in small bundles and thrown into clear water (a running stream, if at hand), and there suffered to remain until the following day, when it should be taken out and well shaken, whereby all the remaining husky coat will fall off. It should then be hung up to dry upon rods or poles, under a shed, so as not to be exposed to the sun or rain. The first renders it brittle ; the last spotting it, and thereby discolouring it. Sheds similar to those used for brickmaking would be well suited for the purpose. Three days' exposure to this process will generally render it ready to be put up into bales ; but the bales should not be pressed until the time of shipping. The same process is to be observed in regard to the other sorts, which consist of,

Secondly, the Atirawkawa, which ranks next in quality; thirdly, the Kuhiora; fourthly, the Parakorttatva. ibis kind is remarkable for the length and fineness of the fibre, and, when dressed, for ita whiteness, and is generally found

upon high land amongst the fern. Fifthly, the Ngutunui. This is also remarkably fine, and is distinguishable from other sorts by the roundness of the tops of its leaves. It also grows upon high lands amongst the fern. Lastly, the Tuao and Warariki. These grow upon the edges of rivers and in swamps, rise to great height, are of a dark green colour, but are useless for any manufacturing purpose. In order to distinguish these varieties,' it would be necessary that the settler should be accompanied by a native who would show him, so that in a short time he would be able to judge for himself. It may be observed that, excepting the two' last-mentioned kinds, all the others will repay the expense of preparation; but there is a striking difference between the first and all the rest, as to the facility of stripping the leaf, which is expressed by the native name, tihori, which means splitting or Bkinning. Having, I believe, stated all that is necessary to be known respecting the mode of preparing and dressing the plant, I shall conclude with, a few remarks upon the mode of Cultivation. — The land should be prepared as for any other crop. The plants should be selected from the outside shoots of the main roots, and the leaves cut down to within a foot of the root; then set them in rews ten feet apart and six feet between the plants, keeping the intervals clean by occasional horsehoeing. There is no particular season for this operation or for cutting the leaves. As regards the probable produce of raw material, or net produce of prepared, Mr. Murant is not prepared to speak with any certainty, but thinks at least three tons per acre per annum may be fairly calculated upon. From the same source I hope to furnish you with some interesting particulars of the Western Coast of this island. In the mean time, I remain, sir, Yours, &c. September 9. Geo. White, j