NEW FLAX MACHINE.

Evening Star, Issue 3024, 29 October 1872, Page 3

NEW FLAX MACHINE.

Yesterday, a number of gentlemen interested in the pbormium industry met at Mr Jenkins’ mill to witness a trial of Mr Pownall’s liax dressing machine, and as the principle on which it is constructed is very different to that of those generally in use throughout the Colony, its performances were watched w r ith some interest. The flax passes through fluted rollers at a regulated speed, taking in at least 120 feet per minute, and then between two cylinders, connected by spur gear, upon each of which are fixed four one quarter-inch steel bar-spring scrapers, and four one quarter-inch sustaining plates, which, as the cylinders revolve together at the rate of about 250 revolutions per minute, are brought into contact, the spring scrapers on one cylinder on the sustaining plate of the other alternately ; so that both sides of the fibre, one a ter the other, are subjected to the scraping action to the extent of at every such contact. When in full working order a strong jet of water is kept continually playing between the two cylinders, and this combined with the scraping action forms, it is said, a true beetling process upon the exposed thin surfaces created by the first pressure through the fluted rollers. From the above description, it will he seen that the Maori mode of scraping lias been followed as closely as possible. In this respect we think Mr Fownall’s machine is a great improvement upon those generally employed, but it would require a much more extended trial than that which was made yesterday to show whether the machine can stand the tear and wear of continuous use. Notwithstanding the disadvantages under which Mr Pownall labored yesterday on being unable to use water, &c , the fibre which came from his machine was much better than that turned out ordinarily at our flax miffs. It was more opf-n, was loss cut, and had much mure the even appearance of the Manila than the flax which is turned out by the common stripper.— Pre-i*, Oct. 19.