MACHINERY FOR FLAX-MILLING

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27046, 22 May 1953, Page 8

MACHINERY FOR FLAX-MILLING

CHRISTCHURCH FIRM’S EXPORTS SOUTH AMERICA AND . ST. HELENA New Zealand-made flax-milling machinery developed in Christchurch has been exported to South America, South Africa, East Africa, and the lonely little island of St. Helena. Increasing quantities of New Zealand flax are being grown in Brazil, the Argentine, ■ and Kenya, while the production of Phormium tenax fibre is the chief industry of St. Helena. For several years the engineering firm of Booth Macdonald and Coin* pany, Ltd., has been developing machinery for removing the skin from the flax, and scutching and washing the fibre. The latest machinery hal been developed in co-operation with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. At present the firm is the only one in the world which makes this particular machinery.; There may be another market for it i® Australia as there are plans for growing large quantities of New flax there. In a field where there is overseas. competition the engineering industry in Christchurch can hold its own. Booth Macdonald and Company has obtained a contract for the supply t°j the Dunedin City Council of two larg* : axial flow low head storm water drainage pumps. The pumps, which : are automatic, weigh 1J tons each, and each have a capacity of 500.000 gallon**; an hour. They are driven by 45 horsepower electric motors which are being supplied by A. and T. Burt, Ltd.