NEW SYSTEM FOR CLEANING FLAX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1307, 24 January 1868, Page 4

NEW SYSTEM FOR CLEANING FLAX.

To the Editor of the Hekald. Sie, —Having obtained tho fxvourable opinion of four rope-makers on the quality of flax cleaned bjiny new plan—threo of theai residents iii the vicinity of Auckland, and one from Cunedin—it was sug gested to me by two or three frienin who came to inspect my samples, that it would ba well to obtain. the opinion of Mr. James Kobertson also as to the quality of the flax. Hi j long experience as a rope - maker, and his practical knowledge, together with the deep interest he has always tat en in the flux question, hare combined to qualify him to be perhaps the best judg« of our native flax in New Zealand. His opinions on that account must be valuable to any party who brings forward a new system for cleaning flax. I showed Mr. Hobertson the samples which I exhibited to the other rope-makers, together with a number of samples since cleaned, ill the rope-maker 3 agree as to tho quality of tho flix, as regards those samples in which I hare been fortunate enough to get hold of good raw flax to operate upon. The bad flax in tho raw material came from the Domain, which has been so picked and re-picked over a? to make it a mere chance to obtain a few good leaves. Mr. Eobertson'd testimony amounts to this—that where I have had good raw material I have turned out very good flax—also that the inferior samples were not the iault of my plan of cleaning. I enciose hh written opinion, which.l beg the favour of publication for general information.—l am yours, &c., Willtah Griffi.v. South-street, JTewton, January 22nd, 1838. Mangore, January 21st, 186 . "Sir, —You wish my opinion on tho flax you showed me on Saturday Inst, three of the samples were not very good—no fault of yours, tbe flax was noi good at the fi-st. .ire you aware that there is some flax not worth cutting ? It is weak and very coarse. " The other samples were very good flax, and might be used in a ropeworic for various purposes — finch as sugar and hay bonds, wool lashing, and the bear into rope of anv pize. "I intend to write again on the flix question, and give my opinion of aU tho movements of the late flax-cleaning operatisns,—l am, &c. UOBEitTSOX. " Mr. William Griffin, Newton."