The Soil Proves Admirably Adapted
To Produce All Kinds Of Grain, And European Vegetables.
But the discovery
which constitutes its value is the New Zealand flax, plants of which
are found growing in every part of the island in the utmost luxuriancy
and abundance.
This will, beyond doubt, appear strange to the reader
after what has been related in the former part of my work: and in future,
let the credit of the testimony be as high as it may, I shall never
without diffidence and hesitation presume to contradict the narrations
of Mr. Cook. The truth is, that those sent to settle and explore the island
knew not the form in which the plant grows, and were unfurnished with
every particular which could lead to a knowledge of it. Unaccountable as this
may sound, it is, nevertheless, incontestably true. Captain Ball brought away
with him several specimens for inspection, and, on trial, by some flax-dressers
among us, the threads produced from them, though coarse, are pronounced to be
stronger, more likely to be durable, and fitter for every purpose
of manufacturing cordage, than any they ever before dressed.
Every research has been made by those on the island to find a landing-place,
whence it might be practicable to ship off the timber growing there,
but hitherto none has been discovered. A plan, however, for making one
has been laid before the Governor, and is at present under consideration,
though (in the opinion of many here) it is not such an one as will be found
to answer the end proposed.
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