THE LATEST IN BOOT LEATHER.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1918, 28 November 1913, Page 7

THE LATEST IN BOOT LEATHER.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln Wednesday's issue of your paper, attention was drawn to the fact that a certain high-grade, class of boot was being recognised in Great Britain among tlio military authorities. I seo a certain manufacturer surmises that the soles would bo made from chrome leather. Prom information I liaV.o gathered on tho matter I find (hat (lie Victorian military authorities have adopted what is known as kronioid leather, and they have only fallowed in this the military authorities of Germany, and that is how Great Britain is now stipulating for this chrome sole leather. It is not the ordinary chroino leather that ~Now Zealand knows. It is a chrome leather stuffed with a preparation, which I think is sold under tho name of kronioid-; anyhow, I think that is why the leather is known as kronioid leather. This preparation makes the, leather waterprooi, and gives it great durability. 1 have seen ;\ sole that has lasted 1 i months in constant wear, and ,as a mutter of fact will outwear any upper. The ordinary chrome leather that your manufacturer thinks is being used is too slippery, and-is not waterproof, which is why it lias had l<i give way to this far superior leather in every j wav.

Whilst speaking on leather,'it is pitiful to hear the various expressions sifcli as 1 have heard through New Zealand by men who should or ought to know better. I have heard it 'frequently staled that they would not have anything but English leather in their boots. I bavo even seen it placarded up in small boot shops to tile effect that they use only English leather. 1. can sav without hesitation that better leather is tanned in some tanneries in Kcv Zealand than any 'English leather that is ever imported. i do not know whether the mamil'uoliirors in Wellington know of this latest improvement of chrome tanned leather. I may say that recently J was in conversation with a gentleman from Now York who .is an authority on leather, ami ho .staled thai there' was not the slightest doubt thai - this kromoid leather was the leather of the future. Knowing these fuels ami knowiin; the leather. I Ihink ibal Hie Itriliali authorities must be stipulating for Ibis class of leather in their boots, although, of course, I have not .seen t'lio bant. Our military authorities might, well look into it. —I am. elc.-. ~ llEliDElU' C, ROSS. Wellington, I