PHORMIUM TENAX.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2241, 1 October 1889, Page 2

PHORMIUM TENAX.

We recollect gome twenty years ago, while watching the burning off of some flax land in Otago, the remark of au old settler that it was " a pity to see each waste going on," followed by the prophecy that "the day will come when instead of destroying flax the farmere of New Zealand will be planting it" We have lived to see that day very nearly realised, and the systematic cultivation of phormium tenax for its vaujabla fibre is now among the probabilities of the near future. For there are numerous varieties of this useful plant, some of which are very superior to others, and the fibre of the various sorts is capable of utilisation for a wide range of p_r- ; poses — from the manufacture of cablesy rope, and twine up to the production of the finest linen and cambrics. For many years there appeared to be almost insuperable difficulty in clearing the fibre of the gum, and besides this, prejudice in favor of other fibres kept the New Zealand artiole down to an unpayable price. But all that has been changed. A deficiency in the world's supply of hemp and sisal has created a >T sudden demand for phormium fibre, and -/■■. the result has been a wonderful revival of the flax industry, and we now see the spectacle of large vessels loading up with full cargoes of New Zealand flax—principally for American ports. With this new demand prices went up with a bound, and forthwith flax mills were established in numerous districts giving employment to thousands of hands and fibre was rushed into the market from all directions. The present production of the colony is, we see, estimated at 500 tons per week equal to 216,000 tons for the year, representing an export value of half a million a year. Given proper management there seems to be no reason why New Zealand should not continue to enjoy the benefit of the continuance of this large export trade, but it is to be feared that many - manufacturers are doing their best towards ( ' killing the goose that lays the golden egg" by shipping fibre prepared. in the most slovenly manner. This will, however, in time work itß own cure, but at the cost of all manufacturers — the careful and conscientious ones included, But' we are persuaded that not only will thorough preparation of the fibre pay in ' > the long run, but that it is possible to establish a demand for it for many other .. purposes than that to whioh it is now almost entirely devoted, for as has been pointed out by Mr Macgregor in his remarks on the flax industry "phormium tenax ought to take the very highest position among the fibre-pro-ducing plants and is wasted in the manufacture of cordage, or twine. The straw-colored and coarse fibre which we are accustomed to see exported, is not a fair representation of its capabilities, The fibre is naturally as white as snow and as soft and fine as silk. Every thread of the fibre commonly exported is not a single one, but a bundle of filaments bound together by a glutinous casing, left there by the appliances for decortication at present in use. Even in this preliminary operation of ramoving the fleshy exterior of the leaves, Mr Macgregor says there is no method." Attention is, however, we are glad to see now being directed to the invention of improved machinery, and Mr Chinnery of Rangiora, who has flaxmillß there, and also in this district has, we learn from the "Lyttelton Times/' deposited at the Patent Office, Christchnrch, the models and specifications of a machine invented by him, and which; will revoluntionise the present, at the beßt but imperfect, mode of dressing flax fibre. For fifteen years Mr Chinnery has been engaged perfecting an appliance, with which he hoped to dress the fibre fo a quality as fine as silk, and that, too,, with a minimum of labor. He Relieves, that the fibre dressed in the machine should command, by reason of its quality in comparison with the ordinary article, a.price of from £80 to £100 per ton. The Rangiora " Standard " gives tho following particulars of the machine :— "The idea of the machine is to turn the green blade into silky fibre at one operation. The combination of machinery necessary for this embraces improvements in the feeding rollers of the strippers, and in the table for removing the stripped flax. The new apparatus comprises a fining machine, a washing machine, a bleaehing machine, and a wringing and drying machine. It only requires two men to attend to it, one to feed and one to fold and take off the finished fibre. The flax is fed one blade at a time, the leaf travelling at the rate of a foot a second in one endless hank,, and in ten seconds from the time the green blade enters, the fibre from it ia turned out. in a finished state ready for: baling up, or for immediate use.'*'* Tit* machine (saya <>«* contemporary) " i* estimated to put through three tons of grew* blade in a day, and it can bo [regulated to turn out flax fibre, suitable for rope-spinning, or as fine as floss silk. Now Mr Chinnery has made a move he intends to lose no time in fixing up a I mill with the new machinery, but it will j he some months before the plant can be started. Tho fact of Mr Chinnery placing his long reputation as a successful dresser ot Phormium tenax at stake, by bringing out his invention, should be a sufficient guarantee of the success of the machine, and for the good of tbe colony all must join in the hope that Ms expectations io respect to \\ will be fall* W#li&ed," *