Numb. 5.
69

SUPPLEMENT
TO THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Published by Authority.

WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1874.

Exhibition of New Zealand Flax at Dundee.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 28th January, 1874.

THE following letter (with enclosures) from Mr.
C. Thorne, of London, on the subject of the
exhibition of New Zealand Flax at Dundee, is pub-
lished for general information.

WILLIAM H. REYNOLDS,
(in absence of the Colonial Secretary).

16, Mark Lane, E.C., London,
27th November, 1873.

SIR,-I have occasionally addressed the Chairman
of the Flax Commission on the subject of Phormium,
but as I hear the Commission has been dissolved, I
now address myself to you.

By the mail which left here on the 10th instant, I
forwarded to your address the Dundee Advertiser of
the 4th and 5th November, wherein you would find
articles having special reference to the case of
Phormium fabrics exhibited in the Dundee Museum,
and by which you would learn how much the views
of the manufacturers have changed within the past
two years as regards the value of this fibre for textile
fabrics. By the Southampton mail, on the 19th
instant, I forwarded to you samples of canvas and
hammock cloth, made from pure Phormium, showing
a still further advance in the adaptability of this
fibre. Those who within the two years declared this
fibre could never be brought into use by manufac-
turers are now firm in their belief that if the supply
can only be regularly depended upon, it will take a
very important place amongst the fibres used in the
manufacture of the finer class of fabrics, and when
thoroughly introduced will realize such prices as
amply to repay the Colonists for its production, pro-
vided they will send forward a well cleaned and
softened fibre only.

Mr. Forbes and Mr. Lockhart are still persevering
in their efforts in pointing out the usefulness of the
Phormium, and it is mainly to their exertions that so

much progress has been effected. The former, in
writing to me regarding the Dundee case, under date
15th November, says, -"The case is getting a deal
of attention; on Tuesday, when I was there, we had
quite a bevy of manufacturers round it, inspecting
the fabrics very closely, and some of them very
anxious for a parcel of the flax." Mr. Lockhart
under same date; 15th November, wrote me of the
great interest which seemed to be excited by the
case, and further said, -"Mr. Warren, who has
written two large volumes on the flax industries,
visited the case last week. He remarked that 'New
Zealand flax had now made so much progress that it
could not now be stopped.'"

I had hoped to receive the photograph of the case
at Dundee in time for this mail, and it may yet arrive
before closing hour, in which case I will send you a
copy. I send you the photograph of the case which
I exhibited (through Sir Daniel Cooper's, Baronet,
kindness) in the Australian Annexe, London Inter-
national Exhibition, 1873. These photographs you
may perhaps consider worth mounting and hanging
in some conspicuous part of your Museum, so that
the Colonists may see the goods shown were bulky,
and not simple yard or less samples. Dr. Featherston
has at all times been most anxious to push this in-
dustry, by supplying the Native-dressed fibre to
manufacturers; and from what he tells me, I expect
that he has, assisted by Mr. Buller, kept you well
informed of what has been going on.

I send you detail of the contents of the case at the
Australian Annexe. It will be a great pity if the
Colonists are not stirred up to action, as very little
pushing is now required to open up this valuable
Colonial industry.

I am, &c.,
C. THORNE.

To the Hon. the Colonial Secretary,
Wellington, New Zealand.

28th November, 1873.
4.0 p.m.-Photograph of Dundee case not arrived.
Photograph of my case sent off to your address by
Book Post this day.-C. T.