THE MANUFACTURE OF PHORMIUM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4537, 1 September 1876, Page 3

THE MANUFACTURE OF PHORMIUM

TENAX. TO THE EDITOR.

_ Sir—As so many of your readers have at one time or another invested their money in the manufacture of phormium tenax ( or New Zealand hemp, as it is now called), which only three or four years ago was fully expected to become a steady national industry, the enclosed letter will, I am sure, be read by them and the general public with interest.

I extracted it from the Sydney Herald of October Bth, 1832, and may mention t.bat in the prices current of the same issue phormium, tenax is quoted as being worth from Ll6 to LlB per ton. —I am, &c,

Francis Fulton.

Extract from Sydney Herald, Btb October, 1832.

To the Editor of Morning Herald.

Sir—Permit me to lay before you a few facts relative to a material which has been the subject for many years past of much scientific experiment and anxious investigation, it being likely to lead to a, great national object—that of becoming independent of all Baltic produce as regards hemp and flax, by the introduction of a material superior in quality, known as the phormium tenax, or New Zealand flax, a perennial plant of great strength of fibre when properly treated, but of an untraetable, harsh, and wiry quality, presenting difficulties insuperable to experimentalists. Many failures of others and an ardent desire these 15 years past have caused me to devote my whole faculties to further this great national object by the inventing, getting, and finally completing machinery of the most intricate and expensive complication, combined with extensive researches in chemical experiments, the cost and difficulties of vhich have pressed me with anxieties indescribable.

I had by perseverance surmounted these difficulties and erected machinery in my factory at the foot of Westminster Bridge to an extent requiring the employ of about 150 pair of hands. I had succeeded in producing specimens of cloth manufactured solely from the phormium tenax which proved, on trial, to be of greater strength and flexibility than any canvas now in use made from the longs of the best Riga flax or Itah'an hemp.

I produced hoses saturated and cured with a composition so thoroughly waterproof as to supersede the use of leather : this being greatlydesirable in climates where that substance (leather) has been found in use to be inappHc able to the purposes of fire-engine hoses or hoses for watering shipd. I also prepared and put into use a hatchway cover, or pawling, impervious to air, water, mildew, or the united actien of these elements, together with two foresails for sailing vessels, which have been in use in all changes of weather for upwards of 12 months, and have proved to be also free from mildew, showing great strength and durability. In fact, I had produced and supplied artioles of every description, designed for fell naval pur poses where flax and hemp are required : thus surmounting, by proofs of capability, the innumerable difficulties that had hourly crossed my path through the designing discouragement of interested individuals; but my establishment was in a moment snatched from me, and by the machinations of some concealed emissaries of my implacable adversaries get fire to, and with a large stock of flax, the whole of the implements, extensive machinery, and property- the investment, reaching about L 15,000 —burned to the ground on 18th September last—the perpetrators of this vile deed continuing since undetected in the face of a reward offered of L4OO, though I have hoped ere long to be in a position to bring to punishment the hidden instigators of this diabolical conspiracy. I have experienced a severe and cruel loss, but I trust that, if I am permitted to receive and lay copies of the rereports I have received, and which have been officially made (though officially refused to Lord Teynham.in the House of Lords) upon every article which I have supplied to the Government before the public, that it will be clearly, thoroughly, and satisfactorily proved that this great maritime nation may consider itself entirely independent of foreign states for supplies of this nature; but still Nev.' Zealand flax is a most dangerous and costly substance to meddle with, and, although my establishment has been shamefully and feloniously entered, and my machinery exposed to the gaze of the midnight ruffians, who thus so cowardly and maliuiously took the sudden means of depriving me of 15 years' collection of instruments, models, &c, atill I assert they will find great difficulty in arriving at a method for manufacturing, Foftening, and curing this hard, intract able, and to them useless material.—l have, &c, M. J. J. Donlan. Westminster Bridge, April 11, 1832.