New Zealand Flax And Flax Trade.

[New Zealand flax has had a varied experience. It was patronised by the King, and proscribed by the hangman. The latter, in a communication to the Governor of New South Wales, dismisses it as utterly unfit for the branch of his professional duties as public scourger. It was too soft and pliant. It took 25 lashes to raise a wheal, and 30 to draw blood. On that account he requested to be relieved from its further employment, and return to the good old Manila thong. On the other hand, barring Stuart tartan, it is the only textile, or textile fabric, that attained the dignity of regal patronage.]

There is a plant which serves the inhabitants instead of hemp or flax which excels all that are put to the same purpose in other countries. Of this plant there are two sorts. The leaves of both resemble those of flags, but the flowers are smaller and their clusters more numerous; in one case they are yellow, and in the other a deep red. Of the leaves of these plants, with very little preparation they make all their common apparel; and of these they make also strings, lines, and cordage for every purpose, which are so much stronger than anything we can make with hemp, that they will not bear comparison. From the same plant by another preparation they draw long, slender fibres, which shine like silk, and are as white as snow. Of these, which are surprisingly strong, the finer clothes are made; and of the leaves, without any other preparation than splitting them into proper breadths and tying the strips together, they make their fishing-nets, some of which are of an enormous size.—Hawkesworth at Vol. 3, p. 443.

Men of the time would not credit a stout, robust plant, with a strong healthy fibre, like the New Zealand flax, was incapable of utilisation. As soon as Maori industry in preparing the plant slackened, which was about the year 1820, European ingenuity was taxed to find a substitute. Sundry inventions were put forward, but none appear to have succeeded. The disappointment occasioned thereby caused the New Zealand flax question to fall flat. In 1831, which appears to have been a revival period in New Zealand pursuits, an officer of repute in the naval service, who represented Grimsby in the Imperial Parliament, took the matter in hand, and for a time it was thought he had done so successfully. His Majesty George IV. interested himself in the project, and was graciously pleased to honor it with his warmest patronage. The South African Advertiser, April 20, 1831, a copy of which is filed in Sydney Record Office, furnishes the following particulars, which are acknowledged as an extract from the Hampshire Telegraph:—

Captain George Harris, R.N., C.B., and member for Grimsby in the present Parliament, has recently been manufacturing rope and cables of the phormium tenax, or New Zealand flax; and, instead of tar, substitutes a page 76solution of gums, or some such substance, principally, we suspect, the caoutchouc or indiarubber, by which it is contended that the rope is rendered stronger, more pliant, and less liable to part in short bends, turns, and clinches, and, being stronger, smaller ropes than those now in use will answer for ships' rigging. The consumption of hemp, of course, diminishes in proportion; we say hemp, because the solution will also impart to hemp the qualities we have named. If, however, a subustitute is to be found for hemp and tar, we are rendered independent of the Russian trade in the articles; a most desirable object, should the state of Europe at any time involve us in a difference with that nation. The bogs and rough ground of Ireland, all our African possessions, and West India Islands, and New South Wales are particularly adapted to the culture of the phormium tenax. Captain Harris was here and superintended the making of a 14½-inch cable, which is to be tried in his Majesty's ship Rainbow. A trial is also to be made of the relative strength of the phormium tenax and hemp in this yard in a few days, for which a piece of 14½-inch cable has been expressly manufactured.

Commenting thereupon, Sydney Gazette, of June 28, 1831, writes:—The result of these labours has been that Captain Harris has succeeded in softening and preserving the texture so as to enable him to make of the finer sorts a number of useful articles—from a stout cable even to fine shirting. The results of his labours were laid before his Majesty, who was graciously pleased to honour them with his warmest patronage. The gallant gentleman has written a friend in this colony on the subject, and we have been favoured with a sight of his interesting communication. He requests ten tons of the phormium may be shipped to him immediately, and particularly requests that it may be such as has been cleaned by the natives, remarking that their cleaning is better than that of Europeans, and does less injury to the strength of the fibre. He states that the phormium grows wild on the coast of Africa. There are several varieties of fibrous plants which he thinks would grow in the Australias, and produce a valuable export; he mentions the silk grass of the West Indies, and promises to name, at an early opportunity, six or eight others.

The patent solution, above alluded to, is said to be an invaluable preserver of rope, especially of whale lines, which it makes quite impervious to water, and as pliable as silk cord. This gentleman has for some years been directing his attention to the produce of the colonies, and we rejoice he has paid so large and so successful a share of attention to our New Zealand staple. The patronage of the King was very properly sought for an article so important to the naval service, and the benignity with which his Majesty has been pleased to encourage the speculation, should secure for it the notice of the navy at large, and, in all probability, bring New Zealand flax into very great demand.

In historical sequence, the flax is first mentioned by Captain Cook. He speaks of it as likely, at some future period, to supply the European navies with their sails and cordage. That impressed Governor Phillip. As soon as he got the preliminary affairs of his novel settlement in Sydney Cove set right, he caused Lieutenant Hanson, of the Dæladies to kidnap a couple of New Zealand natives for the purpose of instructing Norfolk Islanders in the manufacture of the flax. This was in April, 1793, on which date the two New Zealanders reached Sydney. From thence they were taken on to Norfolk Island by the Shah. Both were young men who claimed to be chiefs, and, as such, knew little about the manufacture of flax. The experiment proved a failure, and the youths were returned to New Zealand, after a short absence. Detailed particulars of this transaction are given in Collins's "History of New South Wales."

The subject is revived in 1802. In a communication dated March 22, Acting Lieutenant Foveaux, at Norfolk Island, is instructed by MS. document (in Sydney Historical Record Office) to cause the utmost attention to be paid to the manufacture of the New Zealand flax plant into such cloth as can be worn by page 77the convicts, employing all such convict women as are maintained by the public in preparing it, and the weavers, who would accompany him to Norfolk Island in manufacturing it; and he would, as soon as arrangements were completed, be supplied with such articles as were needful for that purpose. He is also directed to allot three acres of ground for the experiment of cultivating European flax, and also the same quantity of ground for the experiment of cultivating and manufacturing cotton.

A practical move in the direction of utilising the plaint was made in the year 1810. A Sydney Customs Record, dated June 2, reads:—By the arrival at Sydney on Wednesday of the New Zealander, Captain Elder, having on board two persons who went from this in the Experiment to remain in Foveaux Strait, New Zealand, to cultivate the flax, but who declined remaining, owing to the non-arrival of the Governor Bligh, which vessel sailed some time since, with their stores and provisions, and which, no doubt, reached the strait a few days after the men left.

It is worthy to note that Turangitewaru, being that portion of New River flats, including and extending beyond the site occupied by Invercargill, was specially famed for its flax growths. Oue or, as it is now written, Oui, at the mouth of the Oreti, takes its name from the variety of exceptionally good flax that grew in the vicinity. One consignment of the latter, which found its way into Sydney market per the Snapper, is described in Sydney Gazette, April 3, 1823, "as surpassing anything of its kind in the known world."

In 1813 Messrs Jones and Gordon were commissioned by Sydney merchants to experiment and report on the flax. They sailed for Foveaux Strait in the brig Perseverance, April 20, touching at Foveaux Strait. Jones landed at Awarua, as also the young man Williams, who was an expert in flax, and whose report is quoted in the annexed. Gordon proceeded in the Snapper to the North Island. Jones penetrated inland as far as the Oreti Plains. He describes his adventures amongst the swamp lands bordering New River estuary as having been something appalling. The report he gave was otherwise unfavourable. The season, being winter, was badly selected, and Jones himself does not seem to have been a man of much grit. Williams appears to have served the purpose better. The following is the account we get of him and his adventures in Sydney Gazette, September 4, 1813:—A young man, of the name of Williams, who accompanied the Perseverance to New Zealand as dresser and manufacturer of the flax, assures us the natives of that coast attend to cultivation of the potato with as much diligence and care as he ever witnessed. A field of considerably more than 100 acres presented one well-cultivated bed, filled with rising crops of various ages, some of which were ready for digging, while others had been but newly planted. Dried fish and the potatoes form their chief support. He describes what is denominated the flax plant as being more of the hemp than the flax, and he made frequent experiments in preparing it. His account states that he cut from one stool 130 blades, seven to eight feet long, and which his experiments have ascertained would produce from 25 to 30 pounds neat hemp. Some of the plant ran as high as nine feet. The hemp used by the natives in making their lines and dresses is mostly prepared by the women, after a slow and tedious process, and with a loss of three-fourths of all they gather. He, upon the contrary, seems confidant that a machine of his own construction would so considerably facilitate the process as, in time, to ensure success, and render the speculation profitable.

Five years after—namely, 1818—Sydney exported 60 tons New Zealand flax, valued at the handsome sum of £2600. This is the first mention made of New Zealand flax as an article of export.

In 1823 the Snapper is entered in at Sydney from Foveaux Strait, bringing half a ton of flax, which is supposed to surpass anything in "the known world for its amazing strength."—Sydney Gazette, April 3, 1823.

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Sydney Gazette, February 24, 1825, writes:—It is matter of surprise some of our agriculturalists do not enter with spirit into the cultivation of so essential an article as the New Zealand flax, which would infinitely repay the expense and trouble of cultivation.

Hobart Town Gazette, 11th November, 1826, has the following:—We are much pleased to observe a small plantation of the valuable plant in the Government gardens thriving luxuriantly. The plant has lately created much interest in Europe, and is cultivated to some extent in France. We anticipate a great accession to our vegetable treasures.

Under date 23rd December, 1826, the same paper says:—The New Zealand flax is now in bloom. The flower is brown, grows on a long stalk, and somewhat resembles the tiger lily.

We trust that the next vessel from New Zealand will bring us a supply of the seeds of the flax and pine. The former article, brought by the Sally, is a beautiful and strong fibre, and excellent in condition. It is packed in mats neatly woven and ornamented. The plant grows in its natural state most abundantly throughout the islands, the surface of which, as to hills, woods, and open downs, very much resemble that of Van Diemen's Land.—Hobart Town Courier, June 10, 1826.

Hobart Town Courier of 27th February, 1830, quotes New Zealand flax at £32 5s to £33 per ton.

Sydney Gazette, 24th August, 1830, reports:—The latest accounts from London respecting New Zealand flax are gratifying in the extreme. So highly is it esteemed in the Marine Departments of Government that they were purchasing it at no less a price than £45 per ton. This is a sweeping addition to the value of our exports, and as the quantity shipped is rapidly and steadily increasing the most sanguine hopes may be indulged as to its commercial advantages to the colony. What with wool, beef, and flax our prospects are brighter than ever.

During 1830, 841 tons, valued at £19,603, and in 1831 10,621 tons, of the value of £23,919, were imported at Sydney. During the later period there was exported from Sydney to England 616 tons 12cwt, of the value of £14,766. November 22, 1831, Palambame, from Sydney to London, shipped 395 bales of, New Zealand flax, quoted at £18 to £20 per ton; freight, £6.

Thirty vesels were engaged in the trade during this year, and made in all 33 trips, bringing from 10 to 100 tons each.

Some very fine specimens of flax in various stages of manufacture, the produce of New Zealand and its adjacent islands, were recently presented to the scientific world at an evening meeting of the Royal Institute. The tenacity of this flax is generally admitted by competent judges to be far superior to flax obtained from the North of Europe, and is already employed to a considerable extent in the manufacture of cables and other cordage, and promises to afford equal advantage to England as a substitute for European flax and hemp, as the growth of fine wool in Australia promises a suitable substitute for that of Saxony and Spain in our woollen manufactures. We trust the importation of the South Sea flax, in its manufactured state, will in a very few years become a point of great consideration in British commerce, as it would ensure a demand in return for other manufactures in the way of export to our colonies, and without the caprice or jealousy to which European commerce is subjected.— Scientific Monthly, 1831, in Hobart Museum.

Mr Dalton, the rope maker and manufacturer at Westminster Bridge, London, has published a letter in the Morning Herald detailing the result of his experiments with New Zealand flax. He has, he says, produced hose, page 79saturated and cured with a composition, so thoroughly watertight as to supersede the use of leather for fire engine hose and watering ships. He has also prepared a hatchway cover-over or pauling impervious to air, water, mildew, or the action of the elements, of great strength and durability, and other useful articles. He pronounced, notwithstanding all this, the phormium or New Zealand flax to be be a hard, intractable, and useless material.—Sydney Gazette 5h July, 1831.

Sydney Monitor quotes the following letter, dated from Crown Court, Broad street, London, 3rd September, 1830:—

Respecting the New Zealand flax imported by you in the Vibillia and Percy, there appears to be no material difference in the quality, with the exception of ten bales (dressed) per Vibillia, which in their present state may be valued at about £4 to £5 per ton more than the other mark. The best parcel shipped was that by the Doncaster, which we sold for the Leith Australian Company as annexed. We sorted into qualities, but as we did not break open any of the bales there was a proportion of yellow in each, which, of course, would have improved the sale, if left out when shipped. The attention of your friends must, in the first, instance, be directed to having it well cleaned, for in consequence of the very foul state in which it comes none of the principal rope makers will use it, as they find so much difficulty in getting their men to work it up, even at increased wages. If this could be obviated we are satisfied that it could at all times find a ready sale, and be the means of removing prejudices, which are always entertained when any new article is introduced, as in the case of Hungarian hemp, which now commands a preference (to a certain extent) over St. Peterburgh clean, while a few years back it was hardly possible to make a sale of it at £10 and £15 per ton or under. Our impression that the plant is allowed to stand too long before it is pulled may be justly inferred from the difficulty in removing the sheaves, and we ground our opinion from the same cause which we attached to Hungarian hemp and Egyptian flax, which remained on the ground until the seed was full ripe, so that the fibres were always foxy and exceedingly foul; now that they are aware of the reason they are enabled to compete with the Baltic hemp. In the ten bales there is a great portion of what is called "shorts"; this must be left out, the long flax tied into heads at one end, and packed into bales by itself. The shorts should also be tied and packed separately. On looking over this sample it is evident that it has been frequently passed over the hackle; this we do not require to such an extent, as we prefer the broad fibre, but entirely divested from the sheaves by beating. It is hardly necessary to notice that such as is of a bright, silver colour is preferred, as it makes a substitute for Manila hemp, which would now bring £48 per ton. If it could be sent of a greenish tint we are sure it would be liked for rope-making, and, indeed, any colour but foxy. The bend on the bales should always be inward, and one great object is to have as much of the vegetable oil in it as possible, so that the impression of the hand should be left when made.

• White (1), 10 bales, £40, very bright and good.
• White (2), 10 bales, £40 5s, very bright and good.
• White (3), 10. bales, £40 15s, very bright and good.
• Yellow (4), 10 bales, £37 15s, bright.
• Yellow (5), 10 bales, £37 15s, bright.
• Yellow (6), 10 bales, £37 10s, bright.
• Yellow (7), 10 bales, £37 10s, bright.
• Yellow (8), 10 bales, £37 5s, bright.
• Yellow (9), 10 bales, £37 10s, bright.
• Yellow (10), 10 bales, £37 5s, bright.
• Brown and Foxy (11), loose, £30 5s.
• Brown and Foxy (12), loose, £30 10s.

Your obedient servants,

W.& T. H. Forrester.

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A contract was taken 14th April at £43 per ton for a parcel of New Zealand flax, to be delivered to Government according to a sample produced; but it was found that the conditions of the engagement could not possibly be complied with in consequence of the foul state in which it is shipped, and since the failure, this article has rapidly declined in price, and is now very dull of sale. It has never yet been much in favour with the manufacturers in this country, but the Navy Board and some individuals are making experiments, which, it is to be hoped, will evince that its properties have been hitherto under valued. It should be a broad fibre, and entirely divested by beating of the sheaves, and of a bright greenish or silver colour, and on no account be foxy. It must be particularly well cleaned, and as much of the vegetable oil retained in it as possible, so that the impression of the hand when made upon it should be permanent. In packing, the long flax should be tied into heads at one end (the longer and stronger the better), and the bend should be always inwards, in the bales. The shoots should be tied and packed separately. The plants have evidently been suffered to stand too long on the ground before being pulled, which is shown by the difficulty of removing the sheaves (or cuticles); they should never continue standing until the seed is ripe. The best parcel ever imported was by the Doncaster, and came from the Leith Australian Company; almost every other consignment has been too much hackled, or very foul, or damaged.—Sydney Gazette, May 24, 1831.

By 1832 a complete check had been put upon the trade. "Sydney Chit," writing in Hobart Town Courier, February 25, says:—The flax trade with New Zealand and Sydney is rapidly on the wane; it has been carried on with ruinous consequences by those who have been any length of time at it. The only circumstance connected with that trade which appears to be at all secret is the amount of loss that each has sustained. It has long, therefore, been a matter of surprise to everyone in Sydney why the Prince of Denmark schooner persisted in the trade, seeing the large sums of money she must sink every trip, particularly since the profitable trade in human heads has been put a stop to by the very proper interference of Government. If the trade had not been put a stop to there would not have been a slave alive in New Zealand. Still, it has been currently said by many, and the owners of the vessel themselves gave out that they were making money by the flax trade, and many believed it, too; but the luckless adventurers who were thus induced to try it can tell a very different tale, for they soon found out that they would have been ruined had they continued in it. In New Zealand, flax may be obtained in an unlimited quantity. Thousands of tons of shipping may be employed in the flax trade alone. The flax settlements will rapidly assume a more permanent form, as the present desultory and speculative system progressively fails from the increasing unwillingness of the natives to dress hemp, and from its depreciated value at Home, on account of the dirty state in which it is supplied.

Mr J. J. Doulan, the well-known gentleman to whose industrious researches the public are indebted for the important discovery of the valuable qualities of phormium tenax, or New Zealand flax, at the last meeting of the New Zealand Flax Company, held at Bridge street, Blackfriars, London, placed before the meeting a description of the growth, cultivation, and general properties of this plant. He engaged to prove it possessed superior qualities to any foreign flax or hemp imported from the Baltic into England, and was susceptible of being cultivated in our colonial possessions, as also in considerable quantities in the bog land of Ireland, in which part of the United Kingdom the plant was more generally known by the name of the Bog Lily. Indeed it is known to have been cultivated there for above a century. Several specimens of the flax in various stages of preparation were produced and inspected by the gentlemen present. It further appeared that the fibrous substance extracted from the plant had hitherto been considered of little value from its being less page 81durable when exposed to the corrosion of salt water than any other species of flax; but this defect was proved to be completely obviated by the material undergoing a chemical process brought into use by the same gentleman (Mr Doulan), and it has been since ascertained, and proved by official reports to the Admiralty, that sailcloth, tarpaulin, ropes, etc., made of this material were more durable, stronger, and possessed superior qualities to any other description of material. Among the latter qualities was that of not mildewing from the damp, with much greater wear and tear. Specimens of the sailcloth, sheathing for ships' bottoms, fire hose, etc., were exhibited, and excited considerable attention. Mr Doulan, in conclusion, observed that the properties of this plant were known to the natives of New Zealand at the time of Captain Cook's visiting the island, and that able navigator spoke of it in most favourable terms as likely, at some future period, of supplying the European navies with their sails and cordage. The plant might be cultivated to perfection in New Zealand, Van Diemen's Land, as also in many parts of New Holland, and in Ireland; but in this country no suitable soil has yet been discovered. The secretary proceeded to read the report of the committee, from which it appeared that premises have been purchased in the Isle of Dogs, consisting of four acres of land opposite Greenwich Hospital, and machinery had been erected for the manufactory of sailcloth, etc., with the improved material, and recommended its immediate adoption.—MS., Hobart Museum, dated 1st August, 1834.

The British Resident advises the Governor of New South Wales in 1832:— It is considered to have been extremely profitable, and although several vessels returned unsuccessful towards the close of last year, this is attributed to its having been the season when the natives are engaged preparing their potato grounds—an employment from which they will permit nothing to divert their attention. One of the oldest and most eminent merchants in Sydney, who had not hitherto been concerned in the trade, is accordingly preparing to embark in it, and those best acquainted therewith affirm that a very great increase may be expected. I am informed that the merchants of Hobart Town and Launceston have also had attention roused to its advantages, and are beginning to engage in it with ardour.

The flax settlements will rapidly assume a more permanent form, as the present desultory and speculative system progressively fails from the increased unwillingness of the natives to dress the hemp, and from its depreciated value at Home on account of the dirty state in which it is shipped.—From the original documents communicated to the R.G.S. by R. W. Hay, 3rd February, 1834.

After this date the New Zealand flax trade seems to struggle completely out of existence. During the quarter ending 31st July Sydney Customs Records (report the arrival of 27 tons, valued at £475, and again in 1841, Governor Hobson, then newly appointed to New Zealand, informs the Secretary of State (despatch dated 4th December), the phormium tenax, or New Zealand flax, will, I hope, ere long form a valuable export, but at present its preparation has nearly ceased owing to the difficulty of inducing the natives to dress it on any terms that would yield a profit to the merchant. Many ingenious individuals have invented machinery for separating the fleshy substance of the plant from the fibre, but none that I have seen or heard of as yet have attained sufficient perfection to render the flax clean enough to be marketable.