QUALITIES OF RHEEA AND NEW ZEALAND FLAX. 363 



spinner, like Messrs. Holdforth. We shall be glad to see 

 your samples of fibres at 15, 18, 35, and 49 per ton, 

 and will spin it for you, if our machinery be suitable. 

 ' ' ' Yours obediently, 



" 'HIVES & ATKINSON;" 



"The following letter from Messrs. Benyon and Co., of 

 Leeds, will testify as to the strength of the rheea : 



' Leeds, July 5th, 1858. 



" * DEAR SIR, I have your letter of to-day, and in reply 

 beg to inform you that I have got the stuff, the Indian rheea 

 fibre, spun for you, which I now send. It was so strong,* it 

 could not do well on such frames as ours. 



" 'I am, Dear Sir, yours truly, 

 " 'For Benyon and Co., 



<W. COULTON. 

 " ' Mr. J. Hill Dickson.' 



" < Leeds, Sept. 27th, 1860. 



" <SiR, We have examined the samples of prepared fibre 

 you have shown us this day, and are of opinion that the best 

 and finest of them are well suited to the trade, provided on 

 trial they are found to stand the necessary process of spinning 

 as well as Flax prepared in the usual method.f 



' We also think that if this should be found to be the case, 

 the price of from 60 to 70 per ton, in the dressed state 

 and ready for use, is not above the market value. 

 " ' We are, sir, yours, etc., 



<" BENYON AND CO. 

 <Mr. J. H. Dickson.'" 



* What a fault compared with the rotten jute of India. 



f The material approved of by Messrs. Benyon and Co., at 60 or 70 

 per ton, was New Zealand Flax and Italian hemp, prepared by Dickson's 

 patents* 



