THE NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1306, 23 January 1868, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

Tkk following olßcial correspondence has been placed at our disposal for publication :— ! London, Oct. CO, IS!7. Sib— Hoforring to the letters fvhioh I hud the honor to nddiuss to you regarding |he New Zealand Mix and Ttuaao grass ex Witch of the Teeß, I rogrct to atata that tho enquiries which were instituted to ascertain the commercial value, and the adaptability of ahese fibres for papermaking, hare not proved satisfactory. ! You were informed that I had communicated with Mr. 11. M. Cameron, of the firm of Messrs. Macniwn and Cameron, of Edinburgh. Eeooiving no answer, r again solicited the favor ot a reply, but I regrot to say the assistance and interest which you indicated I might expect from that quarter have not been foithco ruing. Notwithstanding this, the subject continues to receive my attention. Other paper-makers have been invited to inspect and test tho samples. Some of the bundles wero unfortunately damaged by sea water, and do not present so attractive an appo'iranf.o ae thoy mi»ht have done. It is difficult to meet with manufacturers who will £0 to tho nxponso and troublo of thoroughly testing tho Now Zealand fhx. I am informed to do thin it would necessitate an alteration in tho ordinary machinery in uao, and v/hilo an abundant supply of Kflpurto grass can bo <?ot at a moderate prico, they are leluetant to this. To ascertain the opinion of the trade upon tho eampltie ex Witch ot the Tees IvTcssrs. Ellis and Hale, a Loudon firm ot the hiphest standing as Colonial Brolcere, were good enough to exhibit them nt their public pale. JN'o bid was mado for any portion of tho flax or grasses, nor was any favorable opinion exprossed as t.o their adaptability for paper-making. I do myself tho pleasure to transmit to you a copy of a letter received from flleesrs. Ellis and Hale about their marketable value. iaogtog from it, also from th.4 cfiSieii.Uvon I hAve had with othere, who have coon t'co the opinion entertained by practice Jtsen appear* to be that the fibres cannot bo profitably iu'.portcd. 'i'he 3pt.iiieh grass, called Eoparto, now generally used in papcr-makinp. is both al'indant and modorato in price, and unleos iCev? rieS/land > 3 down in England at or about the pnino price it could not find a ready sale foe paper-making. It is freely admitted that the quality of the piper n.nde from the phormlum lenax is euperior to that manuftt'.turtd from Esparto fibre, but as the supply of the former is uncertain, nnd it undergoes a different process in manufacturing, the fl ix is unlikely to become generally used. To bend homo the dried loaves in bnles greatly increases the cost of the raw materi.il. The Drocess of reducing them into hulf-stuff should bo done in the colony by hydraulic pressure, the pulp might be made perfectly dry, and formed into cakes ; by this means a l.irgo saving in freight would be obtained. It is considered uniidviaablc to attempt at the same time to bleach the half-Btuff; this can be done moro economically in Rngland. Various patents have been taken out for converting tho flax, but as thoy do not appoar to have been practically tested, I am unable as yet to form an opinion.— 1 have the honor to be, !■ ir, Your most obedient servant, John Mobhisos , . His Honor the Superintendaut, Southland.

I,ime-Btrcet, 2nd October, 18G7. Deie Sid, —We liuvo mado several onquirion regarding thn utility of the grass and flax per Witch of the Tees, and find it ueeleee eioejit for papermuking, and that only when uaed with other material of soma more fibrous nature. It is nearer to the Eapnrto Rra99, largely imported hero from Spain, for popor-ma'iiugr, and sells itt £4. 15s to £5 por ton only.—Wo are, dear iSir, your obedient servants, (Signed) Ellis and ITaie. John Morrison, Esq.