FLAX COMMITTEE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 637, 8 June 1870, Page 2

FLAX COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Flax Committee was held at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, Mr Hassal in the chair. The minutes of the preliminary meeting of the committee were read and confirmed. The Chairman Baid that the next business was the appointment of additional members of committee. The following names were added to the committee: Messrs Geo. Booth, H. Jenkins, R. F. Thomson, J. Ollirier, K. Cobb, Edwd. For 3, J. A. Bird, Strouts, and B. Scott. The Chairman read a letter from Mr C. F. Beeby, offering to collect subscriptions and obtain information as to flax generally: letter from Mr B. Thomson, suggesting that the flax leaves should be passed thrice through the stripping machines, and washed each time, as likely to produce finer fibre—estimated cost of preparation, 17s per cwfc.; a letter from Mr B. Scott, offering to gire information as to the manufacture of flax into bagging and woolpacks. A letter was also read from Mr B. D. Bust, suggesting that the Association should establish works of its own for testing purposes, and that rewards should be offered for the best method of preparing the fibre for market. He should also be willing to supply any information he possessed on the subject. The Chairman said that before proceeding to the regular business of the meeting, he should like to return the thanks of the Committee to his Honor the Superintendent and his Worship the Mayor of Cbristchurcfa, for having consented to become President and vioe-President of the Association ; also to the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, for having placed the room at the disposal of the Association. He was gratified to be able to report that the result of the canvass for subscriptions was highly satisfactory. The subscriptions amounted to £154. He had reason to hope that the Banks, the New Zealand Trust and Loan Company, and the Trust and Loan Company of Australia would subscribe. He was glad to add that the subscriptions were given most willingly. There was a very general interest manifested by the public with regard to the subject, of flax manufacture, and he had no doubt but that the Association would receive a generous support, and he enabled to proceed with experiments, with a view of discovering the best method of preparing the fibre. The next business coming before the meeting was the appointment of a Secretary. He trusted that a good selection would be made, for the success of the Association must necessarily depend in a large measure upon the manner in which the duties of Secretary were carried out. His Honor the Superintendent returned thanks for having been asked to become President of the Association. His Worship the Mayor also returned thanks. Mr Loughnan dwelt upon the necessity of the reports of the Committee being published from time to time; also on the necessity of engaging a qualified person to carryout their experiments. He begged to move — "That a Secretary be immediately appointed." Mr F. Richardson seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The Chairman read a letter from Mr J. A. Bird, stating that he would be happy to act as Hon. Sec, if appointed. Mr Loughnan moved " That the Secretary be a paid officer of the Association." Mr Sheath seconded the motion. Mr Deßourbel moved, as an amendment, '♦"That the Secretary be an unpaid officer." Mr Pavitt seconded the amendment, which was carried. The Chairman read a letter from the Secretary of the Marlborough Flax Association, asking for a copy of the rules of the Canterbury Association. On the motion of Mr Deßourbel, seconded by Dr Florance, it was resolved that Mr J. A. Bird's offer to act as Hon. Sec. should be accepted. Mr Huddleston thought that Mr Bird deserved the best thanks of the Association for the offer he had made. On the motion of Mr Duncan, seconded by

Mr Pavitt, Mr John Anderson was appointed Treasurer of the Association. j Mr Deßourbel stated that he had spoken to two firms, who were willing to conduct two seta of experiments which were principally to consist of steaming the green leaves. The firms had promised to conduct the experiments for £25 each, the fibre to be sent to Christchurch where it could be sold so as to reduce the cost of each set to £12 10s. Messrs Benn and Walker suggested the following experiments : — 1. That a steam-chest be made 8 feet square by 7 feet high, with a false bottom, to be made with strong iron wire £-i ncn meß^ » the chest to be double lined, with sawdust placed between the linings; bars to be placed across so as to support the flax leaves in an upright position. . Place half-a-ton of green leaves in the steam-chest, and steam the flax for three hours; after steaming, put the flax through the water-scutch, having hot water running through it; then dry and scutch, bale np, and send down to Christchurch. 2. Steam same quantity for six hours, and finish it as above; 3. Place half-a-ton of green leaves in the steam-chest, to be piled up sideways, one on the other. Steam for three and six hours, and strip it with hot water running through. Wash, dry, and scutch. 4. Steam half-a-ton of green leaves in an upright position, for two hours ; then put it through water, scutch with hot water, then steam it again for one hour, wash in warm water, dry in the shed and scutch. 5. Steam half-a-ton of green leaves for three hours, then water-scutch it wiih warm water, then steam it for two hours, then scutch it with warm water, then steam it for one hour, and dry it in the shed. 6. Steam half-a-ton of green leaves from 6 p.m. to t a.m., viz., fourteen hours, till you can rub it clean with a cloth. Wash it in warm water, dry it, and bale it up. All the bales to be marked according to the numbers, with the brand of the company by whom it has been manufactured; and to be sent down to Cbristchurch ready for shipment. Mr Sheath suggested the following experiments :— : 1. That a steam chest be made, 8 feet square by 7 feet high, with fain bottom. The cheat to be double lined, with sawdust placed between linings. Bars to be placed across so as to support the flax leaves in an upright position. Place half a ton of green leaves in the steam chest, and steam the flax for three hours. After steaming, strip the flax, with hot water running through the machine, then wash, dry, and scutch. 2. Steam the same quantity for six hours, and after steaming, strip the flax, with hot water running through the machine, then wash, dry, aad scutch. 3. Strip half a ton of green leaves, then steam for three hours, dry, and scutch. 4. Strip half a ton of green leaves, steam it for three hours, wash, dry, and scutch. 5; Steam half a ton of green leaves, placed upright for six houts, then let it soak for six hours in its own steam, dry in the engine room, and after it is well dried, scutch it. 6. Steam half a ton of green leaves for four hours, bury it for -fourteen days, then brush it in water, and dry. Mr Richardson moved, " That a sub-com-mittee, consisting of Messrs Sheath, F. Pavitt, F. H. M. Walker, Deßourbel, Loughnan, Johnson, and the mover, be appointed to conduct the experiments of the Association, and to report to the > General Committee from time to time." Mr Pavitt seconded the motion. Mr Ensor moved, as an amendment, " That the experiments be carried on by offer of premiums for the best method of preparing the fibre." MrHuddleston seconded the amendment, which was negatived. Mr Loughnan moved an amendment to the effect that a sub-committee be appointed, to sit at such times as may be deemed necessary, merely to carry on the current business of the Association, the experiments to be made to be determined by the committee at large. Mr Huddleston seconded the amendment, which was negatived, Mr Eichardson's motion being carried. The sub-committee was instructed to draw up rules for the guidance of the Association. The meeting shortly after adjourned.