THE STEAM ROPE WORKS, AUCKLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 699, 19 August 1870, Page 4

THE STEAM ROPE WORKS, AUCKLAND.

«. (From the Neva Zealand Herald.') If there is one thing more than another in which New Zealand's hopes are centred, it is the phormium tenaa: ; and if there is one person more than another deserving of public commendation, it is the man who, at his own risk, boldly eßsays to prove its goodness. It is with much gratification, therefore, that we note the enterprise of Mr Neil Lloyd in importing the very finest machinery to be had for turning our fibre into cordage, and showing the perfection of which it is capable. On the west side of Ponsonby road, closely adjacent to All Saints' Church, a large structure of timber and iron, with an attachment in the rear, stretching down the hill like a " mathematical straight line, length without breadth," contains the machinery and the appurtenances of the largest and most complete rope works in the Australian colonies. On entering the main building a shaft is seen extending through the greater portion of its length, and with a series of belts connecting it with machines of diabolical aspect, these machines, at first sight, appear a horrible array of countless bright steel daggers, which are found on enquiry to be perfectly peaceful in their purposes, and intended to reduce the flax to the proper state of spinning. The most conspicuous is a large cylindrical object to which the fibre is first submitted. This, which is called the "lapping machine," is for the purpose of straightening out the fibre, and forming it into a species of uniform ribbon for after treatment in the spinning gins. The flax is committed to it by two feeders or revolving rollers, between which the ends of the fibre are inserted. After being drawn through these rollers the flax is caught by a series of countless small hackling pins on the circumference of a revolving wheel of about two feet in diameter. After being dragged in by these pins, the flax comes in contact with a huge revolving cylinder, seven feet in diameter, and completelystudded with bright steel daggers, of about four inches in length. This revolving, in- a contrary direction, seizes and carries away the flax from the former pins and folds it round and round itself. When fully charged, the revolving cylinder is stopped and the flax unrolled in the form of a broad ribbon and borne away to machine No. 2, called the " drawing frame," the purpose of which is, by ipulling, to reduce this ribbon of fibres. The ribbon is about seven inches in width, on entering, and is " fed" as befcjre, through a pair of revolving rollers;" From these it was seized by a perfect fleece of steel spikes! arranged on an " endleßs chain," and is drawn onward till it is committed to fluted rollers. After passing through a little shoot, the flax is caught by a pair of friction rollers, and it is here the "drawing" occurs. The fluted rollers hold like grim death, and the friction rollers, revolving \at' tvnqe the yelocity, pull a wsiy wit ji all their might ; and betweien these two contending powers, the result is such that the ribbon, seven inches wide at entrance, leaves '.a drawing frame reduced to an ifai^h and .three quarters. Prom fcßis the fibres, in narrow ribbon form, are borne in cans to one of the "ginning frames." There are four^f these, each being-double;* 'so- that eight similar operations can -be going on contemporaneously. The narrow rib-bon-is fed as before through friction rollers, and given as before. to a mass of steel , pips fixed on an endless chain, by which it is led onto the farther end of the frame, and through a small •aperture committed, to.the charge of another pair of friction rollers. And here it is -that the ribbon assumes its future form, owing to the spinning that is .proceeding close a-head. And here a simple but most effectual contrivance is observed. Leaning against 4foe thread — for it hae now assumed this form — is a little iron bar, its weight is resting on the thread, and should the thread break, the bar falls, and, setting certain springs to work, instantly throws the whole machinery out of gear. But, Following the " thread " of our discourse, from the last roller it passes

through a tube to the "flyer." This consists of a frame revolving round a spindle, and on this spindle a " bobbin " or huge " reel," or "spool," to receive the thread. The thread having passed from the tube over a small pulley on the revolving frame, by that revolution receives the proper twist, and at the same time is deposited on the "bobbin." When this bobbin is fully loaded with thread, it is taken away, and in another department the various strands are twisted into rope. .For this department the machinery is not yet complete ; but will arrive by the Argyleshire now due ; the former portion of the works is complete, and that in the fullest sense. It is an American patent, from New Jersey, and is of the newest and latest improvements. We understand there is nothing of the kind in the colonies, and when finished, as is expected in a few weeks, it will be unsurpassed. To all who feel an interest in New Zealand flax — and who in Auckland does not ? a visit to Mr Lloyd's machinery when completed, will be a treat. To add to this, Mr Lloyd is an enthusiast in New Zealand flax, and after a quarter of a century in dealing with cordage fibre, esteems it incom- ! parably beyond Manila. He tells, too, from memory, of the early incidents attending the introduction of Manila to the ropemakers of England, many years ago. It was "rubbish," "rotten," "worthless"; there was nobody to speak a work for the banana fibre. Adversity compelled the growers to more careful preparation ; it fought its up-hill way against prejunice, until it made good that standing which it has to-day. What jealousy hemp bore to Manila that does Manila bear to New Zealand flax; and the cloud that has suddenly settled down on our fibre will be a real blessing if it once and for all puts a stop to the rubbish that has been forwarded to England under the name of New Zealand flax. Mr Lloyd has found, already, a difference in the marked superiority of what he now receives for manufacture, and is confident that as the old flax is cleared off the country, and the young plants come into manufacturing use, the New Zealand flax will take the acknowledged position as the finest fibre in the world. We sincerely wish the enterprising proprietor of the mills complete success ; his success will be a colonial success, and the triumph of our capabilities, as in our midst and under our own eyes ; and as the finest machinery that can be procured will be applied for the purpose, not only does Mr Lloyd deserve the whole people's thanks for his enterprise, but the more substantial appreciation and support of commercial men. Talk as we may of protection and free trade, the New Zeal ander who would use an inch of Manila when he can procure it of phormium tenax, is faithless to his country. |