57

working days, that he has made upwards of 3½ tons of material, representing a capital of £42. This is, in great truth, Flax for the million!

One of the leading firms of this City is willing to take any quantity of this flax at £12 per ton, and assures me that the quantity cannot be too great,—"It cannot be overdone." £12 per ton is all I ask, nor will I hold out for more for what I may make. I might probably, obtain £20 per ton by competition, but my desire is to facilitate a profitable export, the good effect of which may be felt throughout the Colony, and to enable a large body of immigrants to secure a living or independence. Old and young, men and women, and girls and boys can work at flax; the business may be learnt without difficulty, and, under brush sheds, can be carried on in any weather and any locality. Judicious preparations have nevertheless to be made, and I would willingly devote my time in assisting the making of them, and setting people to work, but for the expenses to which I must be exposed. To-morrow I am to instruct a settler at his own place, near town, and I have promised instructions to two others, but situated as I am I cannot afford to make myself as useful as I would wish.

Ere long settlers will deplore the unwise destruction of so many vast flax fields, and those wiser and more fortunate ones who yet possess their many broad acres of plants will pride themselves upon their wealth. These are New Zealand’s best gold fields, and who needs be poor when, with the investment of a few shillings, every man who is possessed of flax can send his bales to market, and receive cash in hand; and what man shall speak ill of the country when, as a labourer, he can earn 6s. per day, and more if he chooses to work hard. Not a merchant in New Zealand will refuse to purchase flax at a paying price.

On the subject of flax a wealthy London Firm wrote me by the last mail as follows:—

"The supply of flax is very inadequate to the demands of this country, and there is no doubt whatever that the New Zealand products only require to come forward regularly and in sufficient quantities to meet the demand which would spring up to insure their adoption as a permanent substitute for the fibres now used, and for mixing to economize those that cannot compete with them in price. The less the fibre requires dressing and cleaning here of course the better price it will fetch."

Again, "There is an ample demand for the above, but owing to the small and uncertain supplies it is not much used at present, and is chiefly applied in making rope and string and coarse yarn. It has been spun after reduction to a fine fibre into a very fine yarn capable of being manufactured into a fine lawn. People have embarked in machinery here in order to render this product available in a large way for fine manufacturers, and mixing with other products for which there would probably soon be a large demand, but owing to the want of a constant supply they have been compelled to abandon their attempts, and put up with the expense of altering their machinery for other purposes."

I will conclude by stating that I shall be happy to impart every information desired to parties who may wish to go to flax making, and further that I place the statement here made at your Honor’s disposal, begging that any use may be made of it which you may deem proper.

I have the honour to be

Sir,

Your Honor’s faithful servant,

(Signed) CHARLES BR. DE THIERRY.

His Honor
The Superintendent,
Auckland.

NOTICE.

Superintendent’s Office,
Auckland, April 2nd, 1859.

I HEREBY notify for general information that a Writ issued by me on the 10th day of January last, for the Election of a Member of the Provincial Council, for the Southern Division, to serve in the place of Joseph Middlemas, Esq., resigned, has been returned with an endorsement thereon as follows:

I, CHARLES HENRY MONTRESSOR SMITH, the Returning Officer for the Electoral District of the Southern Division, Province of Auckland, do hereby declare, that in pursuance of the Writ to me directed, bearing date the 10th day of January, 1859, the undermentioned Candidate is duly elected a Member of the Auckland Provincial Council for the said District.

(Signed) C. H. M. SMITH,
Returning Officer.

Dated this 21st day of February, 1859.

J. WILLIAMSON,
Superintendent.

Superintendent’s Office,
Auckland, April 4th, 1859.

I HEREBY notify that, in accordance with the provisions of "The Auckland Building Act, 1858," I have appointed

JAMES BABER

to examine and inspect all buildings and chimneys in course of erection within that portion of the City coming under the provisions of the said Act.

J. WILLIAMSON,
Superintendent.