THE STEAM ROPE WORKS, AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXV, Issue 3041, 3 September 1870, Page 2

THE STEAM ROPE WORKS, AUCKLAND.

[From the New Zealand Herald.] If there is one thing more than another in which New Zealand's hopes arc centred, it is the <pliorm\um lenax; and if there is one person more than another deserving of public commendation, it is the man who at his own risk boldly essays to provo its goodness. It is with much gratification, therefore, that we note the enterprise of Mr Neil Lloyd in importing the very finest machinery to bo 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 largo structure of timber and iron, with an attachment in the rear, stretching down tho 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 bolts 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 forrniug 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 aro inserted. After being drawn through these rollers the flax is caught by a scries 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 completely studded 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 tho 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 pulling, to reduce this ribbon of fibres. Tho ribbon is about seven inches in width, on entering, and is " fed" as before, through a pair of revolving rollers. From those it was seized by a perfect fleece of steel spikes, arranged on an " endless 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 twice the velocity, pull away with all their might; and between these two contending powers, the result is such that the ribbon, seven indies wide at entrance, leaves a drawing frame reduced to an inch and three-quarters. From this the fibres, in narrow ribbon form, are borne in cans to one of the " ginning frames." There aro four of these, each being double, so that eight similar operations can be going on contemporaneously. The narrow ribbon is fed as before through friction rollors, and given as before to a mass of steel pins fixed on an endless chain, by which it is led on to 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 tho ribbon assumes its future form, owing to tho spinning that is proceeding closo ahead. And here a simple but most effectual contrivance is observed. Leaning against the thread— for it has 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 tho whole machiuary 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. Tho thread having passed from the tube over a small pulley fixed on the revolving frame, by that revolution receives tho proper twist, and at the same time is deposited on the "bobbin." When this " bobbin" is fully loaded with thread, it is ttJcen away, and in another department the various strands aro 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 worksis 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 bo 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, esteemsit incomparably beyond Manila. He tells, too, from memory, of the early incidents attending theintroductionof Manila to the ropemakers of England, mony years ago. It was " rubbish," " rotten," " worthless" ; there was nobody to speak a word for the banana fibre. Adversity compelled tbe growers to more careful preparation ; it fought its up-hill way against prejudice, until it made good that standing which it has today. 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 tho rubbish that has been forwarded to England under the name of New Zealand flax. Mr Lloyd hna 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, tho New Zealand flax will take the acknowledged position as the finest fibre in tho world. We sincerely wish the enterprising proprietor of tbe 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 bo procured will be applied for the purpose, not only does Mr Lloyd deserve the whole peopleYtbanks for his enterprise, but the more substantial appreciation and support of commercial men. Talk as we may of protection and free trade, tho New Zealander who would use an inch of Manila when he can procure it of phormium ten ax is faithless to his country.