FLAX ROPE.

Otago Witness, Issue 988, 5 November 1870, Page 10

FLAX ROPE.

A reoent telegram stated that the U.S. frigate Resaoa, on her departure from Auckland for Valparaiso, had, at the request of the Government, taken some flax rope for the purpose of trying its capabilities daring the voyage. The following is Mr Vogel's letter to the captain of the frigate :— '" General Government Office, Auckland, October.!, 1870.— Sir— As yon were good enough 'to say that, .if a small quantity of rope manufactured from .New , Zealand flax (phorminm tenax) were sent on board the .Resaca, you would make a trial of its use i as , running gear on the voyage home to Valparaiso, and make a special report of. the result, the quantities undermentioned have been procured, and are now placed at your disposal, viz :—SO: — 50 fathoms 4in rope, ,50, fathoms 2fm rope, 50 fathoms 2 Jin' rope. These samples of rope are of Auckland make, spun i and > laid by • steam machinery imported! from America.. Rope .of like! quality could be supplied here at the price of L 45 ,to LSO sterling , per. ton of /22#>lk The j flax used , in making this rope, received a alight dressing of whale oil. In addition, you will receive, a small quantity of 2finand 2Jin rope spun by hand, laid in the ordinary way and without oil dressing, and also samples of ,the flax in its several Btagen of preparation by different processes. ' The attention of European settlers in New Zealand has within the fast two or three years been turned to the preparation of the fibre of phornaium tenax for local use. and for exportation. , The supply of ■the .raw material may.be said to be unlimited, and the process of manufacture is being graI dually improved. If you should be able, as If hope you will, to report favourably of the rope which is submitted to .you for experiment, it may be 'expected that a market for that product,' and for the flax itself, will be found in the United States, and commercial relations • between that country and this dolony be extended.— l have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, Juuus VoGBL." ••••