2
PROGRESS REPORT OF THE FLAX COMMISSIONERS.

still preserving their distinctive characters, or whether they revert to a common form. Seeds of several
varieties have been sown, and plants of Tihore and other valuable varieties have been ordered from
Taranaki and Wanganui.

The Commissioners attach an extract of a letter from Mr. Rees, of Rangitikei, stating the result
of his observations on the growth of flax on land which was burnt nearly five years ago, and par-
ticularly invite the attention of manufacturers and other interested parties to this subject, which is one
of considerable importance, regarding which further investigation is very desirable. They also append
a lecture by Captain F. W. Hutton, which is a valuable résumé of one branch of the inquiry, that
has not yet appeared amongst any papers published in connection with the subject under the
authority of Government.

Lastly, the Commissioners feeling convinced that the only mode of enforcing practical attention
to any results that may be obtained by their investigations must be by the exhibition of illustrative
samples, have urged upon the Government the importance of organizing an exhibition, such as is
recommended in the Report of the Flax Commission Committee, to be held in Wellington during the
next Session of the Assembly.

Wellington, 26th December, 1870.
JAMES HECTOR,
Chairman.

APPENDIX.

No. 1.
WHITE, RENNIE, and Co., to the Hon. Mr. SEWELL.
London, 2nd September, 1870.

DEAR SIR,—

We have before us your esteemed favour of the 14th June, which we have read with much
interest.

The sample of flax which you enclose is of a fibre very different to that of which such large quan-
tities have come to our market, and appears to be capable of being dressed to a remarkable degree of
fineness without impairing its strength, which is intrinsically very great. We value it at £65 to £70
per ton, and think we are below the mark in doing so; and that if a moderate supply was offered in
our market, and it was well and judiciously manipulated so far as the selling is concerned, it would
meet a steady demand at a price above that which we put upon it, of course for manufacturing
purposes. We have just sold two parcels of Algerian flax (which is a new article in our market), the
quality of which is very much inferior to yours, at £46 per ton.

We do not advise you to send a very large parcel at first; but if you wish to try the market
here, please to avoid sending a small lot, as it would not attract much attention, and country
manufacturers would not take the trouble to come and look at it. If you can ship from 25 to 50 tons,
we anticipate the best results. Will you also kindly take note that it is highly desirable to sort the
flax well, and throw out any inferior, which could be packed separately, and marked with a different
mark; and also, that if you will put one mark upon flax of one quality, and maintain the quality of the
mark in any subsequent shipment, we should be able to sell with greater facility and increasing value
any marks for which we might succeed in establishing a reputation. These are minor points, but we
think you will see their importance.

The common brown flax which has hitherto been sent here is coming in in large quantities. The
well-cleaned descriptions have found a good market at £28 to £32 a ton; but for the common half-
dressed sorts, which are nominally worth £10 to £22, it is difficult to find buyers.

We are, &c.,
WHITE, RENNIE, AND CO.

Henry Sewell, Esq., Wellington, N.Z.

No. 2.

MEMORANDUM by Colonel HAULTAIN on Flax prepared by the Natives at Otaki.

THERE are but two varieties of flax growing on the flat land about Otaki, Manawatu, &c., called by the
Natives Harakeke and Wharariki. The latter is apparently a variety of Phormium Colensoi, found on
the sand hills near the beach, growing from six to eight feet high, with a palish green leaf, and edges of
the same colour, and small flowers with yellowish-green sepals, but as it was not in fruit I could not de-
termine whether the capsules were "twisted" or "drooping." It is not common (I had to walk more
than a mile before my guide could show me a plant), and it is rarely cut by the Natives, who say that
the fibre is weak and useless. An examination with the microscope proved that the quantity of fibre
was very small in comparison with other varieties. The Harakeke is abundant, and the leaves are often
twelve and thirteen feet long. It grows luxuriantly on any dry ground round the edges of swamps, or
when away from stagnant moisture. It is subdivided by the Natives into Tuhora and Tukura, according
to the length of the leaf, the former being the longer; but I could not perceive any difference between
the fibres either in strength or in colour. It cannot be stripped without the aid of a shell, in which it
differs from the Tihore.

There are no Native plantations of flax in this district; the choice leaves of the Harakeke are fine
and white enough even for their best mats; and any Tihore that is wanted for special purposes is
brought from the upper part of the Wanganui River or from Kawhia.

In preparing flax for the finer purposes, the Natives select clean unspotted leaves of a year's or
eighteen months' growth, and use the upper portion only, cutting off the leaf about six inches below
the point where the two blades adhere together, and rejecting the coloured edges and keel also. They
strip the fibre from the upper surface only (that surface which is inside when the two blades are
together), cutting the under side across, and then, with the round edge of a mussel-shell, tear up the
whole row of upper fibres, bringing away the cuticle also, which has to be removed afterwards.