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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 269, 16 November 1869, Page 2

Flax Hackling. — A correspondent •writing to the Daily Southern Cross says, "I see, amongst the principles recommended for the preparation of New Zealand flax, one recommended by Dr. Hector, which the people would do well to turn their attention to. The principle referred to is the hackling principle, or as Dr. Hector designates it, the combing principle. The machine recommended for this purpose is styled by him a steel comb; the machine we used in Auckland for the above purpose was styled a hackle. The hackling principle produces the strongest fibre, inasmuch as it separates the fibres from the glutinous substance that surrounds, without bruising them, which is not the case by beating or percussion principle. With regard to the- profitableness of the hand-hackling, I would observe that an able-bodied man may earn 50s. per week, working about nine hours a day, providing he receives a reasonable price for his flax from the merchants; but if he

were obliged to sell flax worth £38 and £40 per ton, at 145., 95., and 3s. 6d. per cwt., as the hacklerri had to do in 1867, then I should recommend him to discontinue hackling flax. Should the cultivation of flax prove a success, which we have every reason for believing it will, other countries will not be slow in taking the matter up, especially countries where thousands of emigrants are arriving annually in need of employment. Such an article would not only give employment to the emigrants, but would prevent them from being compelled to send large amounts of money to foreign countries for the purchase of rope material. The hand hackling machine is the only machine by which New Zealand flax can be profitably prepared by haad."