WORKSHOPS BUSY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 309, 7 October 1940, Page 7

WORKSHOPS BUSY

PLANT FOR FLAX MILLS. TREATMENT OF LINEN FIBRE. (Per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, October 5. Railway workshops at Addington and Hillside, as well as private firms, are now constructing the many units of machinery required for the treatment of linen flax fibre in its raw state, announced the Minister of Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) this morning.

The decision of the Government to produce linen flax had opened up a new field for manufacturing engineers, be said. Complex machinery was now being constructed at the two- South Island railway workshops. The plant comprised 15 tow-shakers, for separating the- fibre from its straw sheath ; 15 fibre scutching or dressing machines; and J 9 deseeding machines for releasing seed for subsequent plantings. The Railways Department w!as also installing four locomotive boilers, complete with fittings, as well as other steamproducing plant, for the fibre machinery at the 10 South Island factories. For these installations, trained men from the workshops, such as fitters, boilermakers, carpenters, bricklayers and labourers, were employed. A considerable number of tradesmen would be engaged. “Portion of the machinery must be completed by January next,” said the, Minister, “and I am satisfied that the railway men, equally with theft fellows engaged on flax fibre machinery in private plants, will respond to- the urgent demands upon their skill and industry, and thhs ensure that the- equipment will be ready for use- immediately the linen flax is ready for processing.”