OUR FLAX, &c.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1144, 15 April 1870, Page 5

OUR FLAX, &c.

(To the Editor of the " Lyttelton Times.") Sir, — -Having been making experiments in retting our New Zealand flax according to ihe well-kaown English plan — a plan which, from time immemorial, we know bas been the only one found to answer for such purposes at Li -me — I have produced the following samples (now at your office) from roughly dressed leaves placed under water for one, two, and three weeks respectively, which, for softness, whiteness, and general fitness for the spinner, I can safely assert have but few equals. For the information of those who would like to produce such and better samples also, I beg to ofier the following remarks as to the best method for doing so. The first difficulty as regards the stripping of the leaf from end to end perfectly by machinery is nearly mastered ; the second thing required is retting, for which purpose twelve or more vats made from wood or corrugated iron should be procured, and capable of holding all the stripped flax turned out each day, and kept under a full flow of water by means of an artesian well, which will also keep up the temperature and prevent stagnation. Arrangements could also be made by which a kind of scutcher could be made to fit and work in each vat at given times. Any other contrivance would do if ifc will keep the fibre free from dirfc. The number of days the flax requires to remain under water depends upou whether it is young or old, well stripped or badly. For young well stripped flax two weeks is enough, otherwise three ; for old well stripped three weeks, otherwise one month, but if not stripped or bruised it will require three months. The good samples of flax which a few are now turning out give a slight idea of what it will be in the future when properly prepared, and when the reduced supply of the raw material makes it absolutely necessary. The New Zealand fl.ix will soon stand firsfc upon the list of all known materials for textile purposes, to suit every case for which cotton and English flax is now used. It therefore follows, when it has taken that high position for which nature has so justly fitted it, a right substitute should be found for the baser uses to which it is at present put. That substitute is found in fibrous grasses, of which the Manilla hemp ranks first. We possess grasses producing similar fibre, of which the toi- toi, tussock, niggerhead toi, spear-grass, and fragrant New Zealand grass are amongst some. My father, a short time ago sent samples of the above grass fibres to a practical paper-maker in New South Wales, also a sample of flax and watercress fibre. He has answered and assured us they would make good paper, particularly the I flax, which he says would make the very best. Then there is an opportunity for a truly valuable industry, namely a paper mill,, for which, there can be no doubt, New Zealand offers peculiar advantages in the shape of water power, and. no end of raw materials. All who have anything to do with our flax mills, or who have only visited them, cannot fail being struck by the immense lot of fibre wasted in the shape of tow which the present wrong process incurs ; besides lots of half-dead leaves here and there which would be of as much good to a paper mill as the old rags so carefully collected in England and other, places. Retrenchment of late has been the rule, but how can we expect to be prosperous when we save pence and waste pounds. I would suggest therefore that attempts j should be made to procure and establish a

paper mill ; the above mentioned gentleman says he would provide the necessary ma • chhiery and skilled labour if the working capital to. start, with could be prbcured-^ he thinks £1000 would be amply sufficient, I hope the hon. members of our; Provincisd Council will take the subject up, ahd ' p't^ejf a bonus in the shape of land and money, to assist the enterprise, and they will-, prove themselves to be the men who can advance the physical and moral status of the people in eyery possible way. — I am &c, A. FijObancb, Jun.