NEW ZEALAND MATS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3394, 2 June 1868, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND MATS.

The new industry which has just started into exiltence in this locality, that of converting our New Zealand flax into mats, bids fair to be successful. Mats are now produced by Mr. Matthews, of the New North Road, from our indigenous flax, which, for strength and durability will compote with thoia made from the cocoanut fibre, and for cheapness they far excel them. Some of the New ZealanU flax mats have been in constant use during the last two y^ars* and yet retain sufficient of their primary qualities to give indications of lasting a few yeara longer. The results arising from this industry will be many, and amongst them there is one which cannot fail to be of considerable value to the more humble producers of our flax, for it is found that the fibre which, is obtained by the hackling process is the most suitable for the manufacture of mats. Ihe harshness which is retained in the hackle flax, and which is so much complained of by ropemakers and spiuners, w the very quality that is required for these mats. Imported cocoanut fibre mats, say one of 2 feet 6 inches long and 18 inches wide, vary from ss. od. to Bs. 6d. : a New Zealand flax mat of similar dimension! can be had for 2s. 6d., the wholesale price of the latter being 2a. Therefore, upon the score of eco, nomy alone, the New Zealand flax mats should secure » preference, but they have also a, further claim to our countenance »nd support, ia consequence of their being locally manufactured. Another use can be made of the New Zealand flax as spun by Mr. Matthews: it can be made up so as to serve the purpose of a cheap and useful mattress for the miners at our goldfields. To ensure a soft exterior the machine-dressed flax may be used for the surface, and the foundation made from the hackled flar. JLhe mattresses can be manufactured of any length. One of six feet long, and of the necessary breadth, will probably cost about 7s. or Bs. The miners would find such mattresses extremely serviceable and very portable. Fancy mats for drawing-rooms and also for carriages can be made from dyed New Zealand flax, and of various textures, and their weight in some instances would not exceed ljlb. Mr. Matthew* has also made mats from the cabbage-tree fibre, whicl» have the appearance in colour of the cocoanut fibre j and in 1862 he received the honorary medal of the English Exhibition of that year for his cabbage-tree mats, which he there exhibited. Mr. Matthews 8 ropewalk is about 220 feet in length, but is at present in a very primitive condition. He, with the assistance of a boy, is constantly engaged in making rope from the New Zealand flax; and should his new efforts receive the support of the public, he will meet that patronage with an increase of his own exertions, and by so doing he will be aiding in the development of a portion of the resources of the province. \J»MJf