FLAX.

This article during the latter period of the late war, was dressed and manufactured here in greater quantities

than at present, probably owing to the profits upon it at that time being more adequate to the heavy expense of carriage, than they are now. The depressed state of the trade since that period has caused one flax-mill, turned by water, to be converted into a corn-mill, no doubt to the detriment of others in that line; and two more, turned by the power of steam, to stand still, and become useless; whereas, if carriage could be considerably reduced upon this article, and also in that of coal as stated already there remains little doubt but this useless property would regain its former value, and additional employment be afforded to the increasing population of the neighbourhood; an object at all times deserving the notice of the opulent and rich, and which of late, hath, with partial success engaged the united efforts of the legislature.

In calculating on the tonnage of this article we have it in our power to be more exact than on that of any named before, for every individual concerned with it, has made his own return, and which added together amounts to two thousand four hundred and forty tons, being for the town of Knaresbro’, one thousand seven hundred; and for the neighbourhood up to Pateley-Bridge, seven hundred and forty. Hence the amount of revenue from this tonnage will be as follows:

	£.	s.	d.
From Bolton Percy to Knaresbro’ 2440 tons per ann. 18 miles, at 4d. per ton, per mile	732	0	0
From Knaresbro’ to Pateley-Bridge, which is 14¾ miles, but for safety sake is only taken at 12.
740 tons, 12 miles at 4d. per ton, per mile	148	0	0
	880	0	0

Having pointed out the probable amount of revenue which the article of Flax will yield to the Railway; we shall next endeavour to exhibit how much will be saved

between the present and the projected mode of conveying it to Knaresbro’:

From Hull, via B. Bridge, the present expense per ton, is				£ 1	2	0
And the time of coming from 10 to 21 days
From Hull to Bolton Percy, per ton	0	5	0
Removing from the boat into the waggon	0	0	9
Rail dues, 18 miles, at 4d. per ton per mile	0	6	0
Waggon dues, 18 miles, at 1½d. per ton, per mile	0	2	3	0	14	0
				0	8	0

By this statement it appears there is a saving of 8s. per ton from Hull to Knaresbro’; and nothing seems to prevent the same ratio holding good from Hull to Pateley-Bridge; besides should the Flax come from Hull on board the regular traders, it will in all probability arrive at the Wharfe mouth in two tides, and from thence to Knaresbro’ in eight or nine hours; but should the trade of Knaresbro’ attract the notice of the owners of steam vessels, its dispatch would doubtless be greater; and more in proportion it would benefit the trade of the place; in as much as cheapness of carriage and dispatch of goods whether manufactured or otherwise are the very sinews of commerce, and in such proportion as these are obtained, so will the wealth and prosperity of the town or neighbourhood be regulated.

In presuming upon any increase of tonnage on this head, we feel equally safe as on any other, or more so; for if the present mills turned by water, and spinning Flax were found insufficient, some corn-mills might easily be converted, and in lieu of them, wind-mills might be erected, for which purpose many fine situations present themselves on both sides of the valley, where there is abundance of stone and lime always contiguous, which

would render such erections less expensive than in many other places.

The next subject for our consideration, and which naturally follows the last, is the tonnage arising from manufactured