THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 131
Leeds, some Native-dressed fibre, and they told him
they could spin it if they had a quantity. He has
lately sent them about 20 lbs. weight, and now they
write they can do nothing with it. He has given me
a sample, which accompanies this. I told him I
believed you could spin it into a very fine yarn. He
wants to get a correct report upon it from some one
who will not simply say what they think can be
done on looking at a sample, and then, when the
bulk is sent, give an opposite and adverse report,
but who will carry out the report by working it up.
I told him if he gave me the sample I would send it
to a gentleman who might be relied upon for saying
what he could do, and also would do what he said he
could do.

Will you kindly examine this sample very carefully,
and send me your verdict upon it. Dr. Featherston
has only a small quantity, say 30 lbs. or 40 lbs. now
on hand, but shortly expects nearly a ton. It is Native
dressed. He thinks it fine enough for cambric.
What he especially wants to know is—
(1.) Is this fibre sufficiently fine to make a yarn
capable of being woven into a delicate fabric.
(2.) If imported in large quantities, would there
be a ready sale for it, and what price might
be looked for, at first start?
(3.) With what class fibre would it come into
competition?
(4.) What is the smallest quantity you could
work up and get woven, so as to show the
fabric of the finest kind to which it is adapted?

After all his failures in getting an interest taken
in the working of this fibre, I am sure he would
greatly appreciate any trouble you might take. He is
quite prepared to pay all expenses attending the
experiments, and would, I have no doubt, consider
you have rendered him a great service.
If possible, he would feel obliged by having the
report not later than the 29th instant, as it would then
be in time for him to forward a copy to the New
Zealand Government by the next mail.
I anxiously await the arrival of my canvas. With
kind regards, &c.

I remain, &c.,
C. THORNE.

A. K. Forbes, Esq.,
30 West Keptil St., Arbroath, N.B.

16 Mark Lane, E.C.,
London, 27th November, 1871.

MY DEAR SIR,—This morning I received a letter
from my friend Mr. A. K. Forbes, dated Arbroath,
24th November. He says he has received the sample
of Native-dressed New Zealand flax.
"I have to-night taken the sample sent, to a flax-
dresser, who is to dress it over a fine hackle, and let
me have it to-morrow. On Monday I shall put it into
a fine yarn and send it on to you same evening, along
with a letter giving my answers to your queries, till
which time I shall study the thing as closely as possible.
These you will receive on Wednesday morning, the
29th. You must always bear in mind that my
machinery is not capable of spinning a yarn fit for
making into cambric, neither is there any of that
fabric woven in this country. I am not acquainted
with this department of the trade, and in giving my
opinion on the fibre, can only enter into it as far as
my experience goes. This is always at your command."

The next part of his letter refers to work in experi-
ments for me, and as they will probably interest you,
I subjoin the extract.
"By this post, I send you sample hank of flax yarn,
4 lbs.: this I think you will say is good. I am
getting on pretty fair with it; still the same draw-
back always obtains, namely, that it does not do alone.
The flax I am now spinning would have answered
beautifully for a mixture with Riga, and gone into a
much lighter size; still, this yarn will make a
towelling and sheeting cloth. I have been experi-
menting on the rough tow. It is far too strong and
long, and although beat in one way, I do not mean to
be beaten, and will make it into a yarn; but what I
can see is, that it is not in that state to be a ready
and easy manufactured fibre, being too hard and
long. You must not weary over the tows getting
done, as really I am oppressed with orders for tow
yarns, and do not know how to get my customers
supplied fast enough.

"I shall do what I can to get them pushed through
as fast as I possibly can. I shall send you full
reports of all my experiments in working the several
lots, on the completion of the several parcels into
yarn; also the bleachers and weavers as well. You
may assure Dr. Featherston that I shall be happy to
do anything I can to advance his views in regard to
spinning the New Zealand fibre, at any time, and so
far as I can."

The remarks regarding cambric were drawn forth
by my stating you hoped the fibre would be found
fitted for so delicate a fabric as cambric.
If I receive the yarn made from the Native-dressed
sample on Wednesday, as promised, I will try and
bring it up to you on that afternoon: failing that,
I will call upon you on my way to town on Thursday.
Dr. Featherston, Yours faithfully,
7 Westminster Chambers, S.W. C. THORNE.

Arbroath, 27th November, 1871.

MY DEAR SIR,—I have now the pleasure of for-
warding, by post, the Native New Zealand flax spun
into yarns. I had the line hand dressed over a 12
hackle: this opened up the fibre very much, and made
it beautifully soft, with the exception of the ends,
which are originally hard and not nearly so well
softened as the other part. This is a great drawback
to the full value of the flax, as that alone will prevent
it going into a very fine yarn, which could easily be
done with the other parts. I yet, however, find it a
very easy spun flax, and have put it into a 2 lb. yarn.
Even with my heavy machinery I could put it into a
much smaller thread (but could not come down to a
cambric size) if I had a quantity, say at least 40 lbs.
of line (hackled). The tow I find very good spinning
fibre, and it has gone easily into a 2 lb. thread. I
should be quite willing to spin as much as could be
sent of this quality, and I think if any of the linen-
spinners in Leeds or Belfast were to try it, they
could make it into a very fine Irish-linen yarn. I
shall now answer your queries as well as I can :—
(1.) After being well hand hackled, say over an
18 hackle, it would go into a linen yarn.
(2.) Yes. As imported for our fabrics, £60 per
ton; if for Leeds and Irish fabrics, £80 to
£90 per ton.
(3.) With Irish and English flax, which is used
for strengthening purposes.
(4.) If I were to get it weaved, I should need
at least 2 cwt. flax as imported. I could get
it weaved into very fine towelling damasks and
such like.

If your friend were to get the tow he expects, I
should be glad to have it to spin for him, and would
get it weaved in Dunfermline, where the best linen
fabrics are made. I am getting on slowly with your
own stuffs,—they are a more difficult matter. I hope,
from what I have written, Dr. Featherston will be
able to gain some information; and with kindest
regards,

I am, &c.,
C. Thorne, Esq.,
A. K. FORBES.
16 Mark Lane, London.