OUR FLAX MANUFACTURE.

Marlborough Express, Volume VI, Issue 297, 17 June 1871, Page 6

OUR FLAX MANUFACTURE.

We have great pleasure in printing the following letter addressed by Dr Hector to Messrs Logan and Sinclair, of the Kaituna Flax Mills. The letter explains itself—- “ Flax Commission, Wellington, “May 20th, 1871. “Gentlemen, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of Ist instant, forwarded per Messrs IST. Edwards and Co., together with two parcels of flax. “The larger of these parcels contains five large hanks, and a smaller and shorter one. This smallest hank we take to be the young leaf. I should be glad if you would let me know whether I am right in my conclusion ; also what is the difference between the five large hanks of the larger parcel, and those contained in the smaller parcel numbered 1 and 2 respectively. “ Having tested the strength of the different samples, we find that the fibre in the larger pax-cel breaks at a mean strain of 2931 b mum being 337ft>s ; and minimum, 2701b5. The small and short hank, which we put down as the young leaf, breaks at a mean strain of 290K>s ; maximum, 3401b5; minimum, 2561b5. In the smallar parcel, No. 1 breaks at a mean strain of 2731hs ; maximum, SlOlhs ; mimimum, 2521b5. No. 2 in the same parcel, mean strain, 3091bs ; maximum, 3C9lbs ; minimum, 2S9lbs. These are firstrate breaks, and only prove what can be done with flax when proper attention is paid to the manufacture.

“ Your description of the mode of manufacture is interesting, and gives us just the information required. We shall be happy to receive samples of other kinds at your convenience, with descriptions attached, and any further information you may gather which you think may further the object the Commissioners have in view. “ I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, “ Your obedient servant, “James Hector, Chairman. “ Messrs Logan and Sinclair, “ Kaituna, Wairau.” —We have received, and have at present on view, a “ fair sample of flax manufactured by Mr Hathaway, Ferry,” which it is our intention to forward to Wellington for public inspection. The sample of “ Riky’s patent prepared flax,” hanging in our office, has been universally condemned as infinitely inferior to the genex-al run of Marlborough manufacture.