1030
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 35

For the purpose of facilitating the grading of flax prior to export from any port or place in the colony to any place beyond New Zealand, the owner of such flax shall cause each package or bale to be clearly and indelibly branded on a batten not less than 24 in. long by 4 in. deep, or on a piece of cloth not less than 6 in. deep securely sewn at each end to at least two mill-bale ropes or bands. The batten or cloth shall be affixed to the outside of the bale.

The brand shall consist of—
(1.) A consecutive number, the figures of which shall not be less than 2 in. in height, together with either—
(2.) A trade-mark or other design, or—
(3.) At least three letters not less than 3 in. in height. Such letters shall comprise a group of single letters, or a word or words.

Where a number of bales or packages of flax, under consignment for different persons, are submitted in any appointed store at the same time, and by the same owner, for the purpose of being graded, the owner shall clearly and indelibly mark thereon, in addition to his brand and number, a distinguishing mark for each person's flax, and shall notify the Grader accordingly.

Every owner shall forward to the Secretary for Agriculture at Wellington full particulars of all brands or trade-marks intended to be used from time to time by him in the branding of flax.

Export of Flax.

The following buildings are hereby appointed to be the only stores at which flax will be examined and graded prior to export, viz. :—

Railway Department's stores, Auckland.
Auckland Harbour Board's stores, Auckland.
New Zealand Shipping Company's store, Auckland.
Wellington Harbour Board's stores, Wellington.
New Zealand Shipping Company's stores, Lyttelton.
Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's stores, Lyttelton.

All flax for export shall by the owner thereof be submitted, in one of the appointed stores, at least four clear days prior to shipment, for the purpose of being examined and graded, and no flax shall be shipped or placed on board any ship for exportation unless it bears the stamp, tag, or mark of a Grader duly appointed under the said Act.

When submitting any flax for the purpose of being graded the owner shall at the same time notify in writing both the Grader and the person in charge of the appointed store at the port of shipment, giving full particulars of the numbers, brands, &c., of and on the packages or bales, and the total weight of the parcel.

No flax will be graded unless the Grader has received full particulars of the number of bales or packages, and the number and mark or brand on each bale or package, and the total weight of the parcel.

Forms for notifying the Grader and Wharfinger can be obtained from the Government Printer. The price of each kind of form is 1s. per book of fifty forms.

Condemnation of Flax.

Any package or bale of flax awarded less than 50 points may be condemned by the Grader, and in no case shall it be lawful to export any flax which has been condemned by a Grader under the said Act.

No flax will be graded which has not been properly and sufficiently dried to the satisfaction of the Grader, or which has become damp or wet in transit, or in any other way.

Every owner of flax consigning the same to the appointed stores must make his own arrangements for the transit of the flax to and from the store, and also for its shipment, including receiving, storage, opening of bales and drawing of hanks for examination, rebaling, packing, delivery, and any other services, including insurance and protection from damage or loss of any kind, as the Government undertakes no duty and incurs no liability.

The charge for grading flax will be 1s. 6d. per ton or part of a ton, which is to be paid by the owner, and shall be payable on demand.

A Grader's certificate for the owner, a report on the flax for the miller, and a tag, mark, or brand to indicate the grade (which will be affixed to each bale by the Grader) will be issued without further charge.

The following will be the standards on which the grading will be carried out :—

"Superior" .. .. 95 to 100 points.
"Fine" .. .. 85 and under 95 "
"Good fair" .. .. 75 " 85 "
"Fair" .. .. 60 " 75 "
"Common" .. .. 50 " 60 "

The points being awarded as follows:—
Stripping and washing .. .. .. 30 points.
Colour .. .. .. .. 25 "
Scutching .. .. .. .. 20 "
Strength .. .. .. .. 20 "
Finish .. .. .. .. 5 "

Total .. .. .. .. 100 "

No person shall remove, alter, or obliterate, wholly or partially, or cause to be removed, altered, or obliterated, any owner's mark or brand, or any Grader's mark, tag, or brand, on any flax which has undergone inspection and grading, or on any bale or package containing flax, or counterfeit any such mark, tag, or brand, or improperly impress or otherwise mark on any flax or bale or package any mark purporting to be the mark, tag, or brand of a Grader, either with the proper marking-instrument of the Grader or with a counterfeit imitation thereof, or empty or partially empty any bale or package marked after inspection in order to put therein any other flax, or use for the purpose of packing or baling any flax any old bale or package bearing grading-marks; but nothing in these regulations contained shall prevent a shipper of flax from placing on any bale or package the brand or trade-mark of such shipper, provided the same is placed on a portion of such package or bale separate and distinct from the owner's brand or mark.

Any person committing a breach of any of these regulations is liable to a penalty not exceeding £50.

No Grader appointed under the said Act shall be liable for any loss or damage occasioned to any owner of any flax by any act of such Grader, unless such damage or loss shall be occasioned by his wilful neglect or default.

As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this seventh day of May, one thousand nine hundred and two.

T. Y. DUNCAN,
Minister for Agriculture.

Trustees for the Pakihikura Public Cemetery appointed.

RANFURLY, Governor.

IN pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities vested in me by the forty-fifth section of “The Cemeteries Act, 1882,” I, Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, do hereby appoint the local authority specified in the first column of the Schedule hereto to have the control and management of the public cemetery specified in the second column of the said Schedule.

SCHEDULE.

As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this thirtieth day of April, one thousand nine hundred and two.

T. Y. DUNCAN,
Minister of Lands.

Legislative Councillors appointed.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 18th April, 1902.

HIS Excellency the Governor has, in His Majesty's name, summoned

JAMES HOLMES, Esq., of Hokitika, and
JAMES MARSHALL, Esq., of Totara Flat,

to the Legislative Council of New Zealand, by writs of summons under the seal of the said colony of this day's date.

J. G. WARD.