THE W.E.A. “RAMBLES.”

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIVI, Issue 17700, 29 January 1918, Page 7

THE W.E.A. “RAMBLES.”

INTEREST IN SOCIAL INDUSTRIES

It is a striking commentary upon our much-vaunted: system of education that not one member of the AN .E.A. party which visited the rope and twine factory of Alessrs Aladdren Bros., Limited, on "Saturday had previously hold any true conception of tho extent, or the importance of the firm s operations. The works are situated in Aladras Street south, running through to Barbndoes Street, occupying an acre of ground, aftd such is the growth of the business that a neighbouring building will shortly ho fitted as offices, when tho present office, site will be absorbed in •‘the works.” A ‘‘Lyttelton Times ” representative, who accompanied Saturday’s party, gleaned somo interesting particulars concerning the firm’s growth. Alessrs C. and S. Alnddren acted as guides for Saturday’s visitors, who first examined the hemp, just as it came from the flax mills, consisting of tho fibre, of the New Zealand flax, or phormium tenax. The fibre was shown to be coarser and more brittle than Alanila hemp, and therefore useful only for binder twine and for cordage not intended to lie exposed to wet. A set of machines was working on “heckling” and spreading tho rough fibre —“combing it straight,” as one of tho ladies remarked—and getting a continuous strand, or “sliver.” 'JI,o machines drew it oiit until it was fine enough for spinning into binder twine, ready to be “ balled ” for tho market-, or used as the basis of ropemaking, several strands being further spun together for the heavier cordage. Practically the whole of the machines are British built-, .imported from Leeds. The plant is run on power from tho Lake Coleridge electrical system, except during certain hours, when tho steam boiler is put into commission. In the course of a little speech of gratitude on behalf of the visitors, Air Howard mentioned the great improvement effected in ropemaking since his boyhood connection with a rope-walk in Bristol. In a very few minutes a demonstration of the old system was in progress, a length of clothes line was made by a couple ol the older workers, and the product presented to a delighted young lady who had followed the work with close attention. It was with just such a plant that the late Air J. Aladdven started operations on this very piece of ground forty-one years ago, on January 25, 1877*. There -.vas' then a staff of about ten, and the output was perhaps 100 tons a year. Right from the start t.hero has boon a firm adherence to the policy of using high-grade fibre exclusively, and by giving personal supervision the proprietors have built up an enviable reputation tor their “ Prime Canterbury ” binder twine and other products. The uniform high quality of fibre could be obtained in only one way, and Aladdren Bros, adopted it—they started their own flax plantations and flax mills at AYinchcstcr, AVyndlinm and'in the Waikato. And to-day this is the only Now Zealand firm which actually produces the raw material, mills it and markets the finished product-. The output now approaches 1000 tons annually, and tho trade is growing, the Christchurch works, with over fifty hands employed, now running continuously to cope with the heavy binder twine demand which followed tho December rains, this giving some indication of the farmers’ wheat crop, estimates. Incidentally it. may be mentioned that Alessrs Aladdren Bros.’ AVinehester mill secured first honours at the big _ Palmerston North Show against all North Island mills for dressed flax, and that it lias never been beaten for unscutclird flax. The firm also secured gold medals at the Frnnco-British Exhibition, the Imperial International Exhibition, and the Japan-British Exhibition, and at t-ho Panama Exposition at San Francisco a Gold Aledal of Honour for dressed flax. The fact that very little binder twine has now to he imported is undoubtedly due largely to the enterprise of this firm, which lias been building for over forty years a reputation for uniformly reliable service. At various times Aladdren Brothers, Limited. have exported twine to Australia and to Africa, and havo had inquiries from the Old Country and from America. Employing in nil over 100 hands, and involving the investment of a fairlv large capital, the growth of this firm is a distinct credit to the men who have successfully piloted it through its various periods of stress. May “Prime Canterbury” long continue to enjoy its prestige in tho world I of binder twine. 1