THE HEMP EXPORTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6962, 30 October 1909, Page 3

THE HEMP EXPORTS

MONTHLY RETURN. According to the monthly report of tlft Department of Agriculture tne total balea ot hemp giracieti dumng the past month was 4ao'2, of which the Wellington province contributed 53.9b' per cent. As, compared with tne previous month, there was an increase ci 2162 bales, but a decrease of 6a bales on the figures recorded tor the corresponding month of last year. For the six months ending September 30th the number of bales graded was 25.991, as compared with ::<,ilo for the corresponding period of' last year, an increase of 17*5 oales 4 uumoer of mills, says the report, have been reopened, and a considerable increase an the output may be expected troni now onwards.

The quantity of each grade during the month, w'orked out on a percentage basis, is as follows:—Fine, 5.2 per cent.; good fail-, 46.6; fair, 41.4; common, 6.07; rejected, .35. The percentage of "good fair" has not been as great as might have been anticipated, but this is attributable to tho unsuitable weather causing a loss in colour points. In referring to the market value of hemp the report observes that it appears anomalous that although tho Home markets rule prices, practically the "fine" and the higher pointed "good fair" grades shipped from Wellington are secured by the Australian manufacturers. •

During tho month 1140 bales of tow were dealt with, an increase of -187 over tho preceding month.

Of the 4502 bales of hemp exported, Wellington contributed 1923, Foxton Hfi9, and Auckland 900. Of the 238 bales of "fine," IG7 .were nroni Wellington and 71 from Pidton; of the 213 a bales of "good fair," no less than 12G0 w-ere from Wellington, and 569 from Foxtan.