FLAX ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2973, 22 July 1870, Page 2

FLAX ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the sub-committee was held at 2 p.m, yesterday. Present; Messrs E. Richardson (Chairman), Deßourbel, Johnston, Loughnan, Sheath, and Bird (Hon. Sec). The following letters were read : “ Christchurch, July 20,1870. “ Mr J. A. Bird, hon. sec. Canterbury Flax “ Association. “ Dear Sir, —In reply to your letter of the 15th instant, I will be most happy to give the sub-committee all the information I can with respect to manufacturing; but as 1 have not had any actual experience iu the prices of machinery (such as carding machines, spinning machines, or frames, looms, &o.) specially adapted to flax, I would not like to quote prices at random. “ I have written home to one of the largest machinists in England for information regarding prices, &c.. and will be happy to give the sub-committee such information when 1 receive it, " The principal machinery required would be—- “ Ist. Stationery engine and boiler. “ 2nd. Carding machinery for carding the tow preparatory to spinning. “ 3rd, Spinning jennies (I think the perpetual spinning frames have been adapted to flax as well as wool), and if so they are much better than the jennies, and require much less attention and occupy less room. “ 4th. A warping machine for preparing the warps for the looms. " 6th. The looms (I would recommend the bast power looms that can possibly be procured) ; the looms arc liable to a great deal of wear and tear, and those looms which are best fitted together, and cost say £1 or £2 more, are much more profitable than cheaper ones. ** 6th. The only other machinery that I think would be required would be a steaming and brushing mill, and a hydraulic press. “ There are many other items, such as shuttles, reeds, heddles, bobbins, twines, belting, cards for ihe carding engines, &c., &0., which would have to be procured at the best markets by some persons of experience. “ With regard to bringing skilled labour out from home. I think three or tour families would be sufficient, namely, a good factory engineer, to look after the repairs, &c, of the whole place; a carding and spinning engineer ; a powerloom trimmer or manager. «< Men should be selected who have rising families, as they all make capital factory bands, and would be able to teach others on the same system as they do at home. “ If there is anything else which the sub-

Committee would like to receive •boot, I will write home to gome of mv m! 0 factoring friends and made enquiries. “ I remain, yours truly, “Ronr. Scott” " Superintendent’s Office, “ Christchurch, Canterbury, N.Z., “ July 14th, is;)) “ Sib,—l have the honour to acknowl 6 ,u, the receipt of your letter of the 7th ln s t f reference to s sum of money being placed the estimates in furtherance of the objects of the Canterbury Flax Association, and, j n reply, to inform you that the request will he considered when the estimates for next vpa. are framed. “ 1 have the honour to be, sir, “ Your obedient servant, “ B. H, Rhodes, “ Deputy-Superintendent " ,1. A. Bird, Esq., “ Hon. Sec. Canterbury Flax Association ” A bale of flax (which will be reported on at the next meeting), was received from w, Pavitt’s Mill, Styx. The meeting adjourned until 2 om nn Thursday next. * ° n