Mr. Stout tliouglit tlie Government miglit take the matter in hand, 

 as inducing immigration. 



Mr. Cargill suggested that the Secretary should be written to, asking 

 him whether the Society woukl take charge of such specimens. 



The Chairman adopted the suggestion. 



5. Mr. Murison suggested that as flax-dressing had made rapid 

 progress lately, it was a. subject with which the Council could well 

 deal at the present time. The first difficulty was that of removing the 

 gum from the fibre, which had been overcome, and the present and 

 future one was that of obtaining a supply of flax in its natural state, for 

 manufacturing purposes. He thought that those who took an interest 

 in flax-dressing should endeavour to discover the best method of culti- 

 vating the plant. Mr. Travers, in his paper read before the Canterbury 

 Society, considered that the natural supply would be exhausted in two 

 or three years, but he thought that in districts whei-e flax-dressing 

 machines were in operation, it would be exhausted in a shorter period ; 

 in fact it was already falling short in some districts, and from the 

 number of machines which were being made, he thought that the 

 natural supply would very soon cease. The public would recognize the 

 Institute as taking up a practical subject, and if they succeeded in 

 obtaining good papers upon it, they would deserve the thanks of the 

 public. The whole community would benefit by flax dressing, and, no 

 doubt, at a future day, it would be a more profitable industry than gold 

 or wool. He proposed that a premiiim should be offered for the best 

 paper on the cultivation of flax ; or, that a sub-committee should be 

 appointed to obtain information on the subject. 



Mr. Cargill thoiight that the only result that would be gained by 

 offering a premium, would be the production of a number of papers of 

 doubtful value. If the native flax could be brought successfully into 

 the European markets, the demand would only be limited by the supply. 

 Persons cutting it on Government ground, not caring for those who 

 came after them, had wastefully and carelessly destroyed it, and he 

 thought it desirable that they should obtain reliable information on the 

 subject. 



The Chairman pointed out that, as they had not the practical know- 

 ledge amongst themselves, they would be unable to decide wliich paper 

 would be best. He disapproved of the course of offering premiums for 

 work which could be done by members of the Society. 



Mr. Webb suggested that seeds of the Tihore flax could be procured 

 and grown here. 



