NEW FLAX MACHINERY.

Evening Star, Issue 14689, 5 October 1911, Page 6

NEW FLAX MACHINERY.

It is well known that for a long time, them has Vicen room for improvement in the. machinery used in flax-mills. Tnere has been too much hand work, and tho desire, of owners has been improved mechanical methods to reduce the -wages bill. Mr A. L. J. Tait, of Dtinedm, believes that he has invented such a machine, which was shown at work this morning. Tho ordinary drum for stripping is used, but the stripper is claimed to be selffeeding. After the flax passes through the stripper it falls on to endless travellers, which convey tho fibre to a place whence it can be removed to the drying paddock. In transit, however, after leaving the stripper, it passes under falling water, which washes cmt the gum and cleans the fibre. It will thus be seen that all this ifl accomplished by mechanical means only. No handling is required until the fibre is carted away. The inventor claims tiat six men's labor is done by his machine, which will do the work of the feeder, the catcher, two shakers, and the water scutchers —in all, six. The machine may be constructed in different sizes, with capacities ranging from 3 tons to 15 tons per day. Mr Tait has had a machine at work for several months in the Wakatipu district, and says it has been entirely successful. In all probability a demonstration will be given before experts on Saturday aiterncpn.