N.Z. LEATHER

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1929, Page 7

N.Z. LEATHER

RESEARCH ASSOCIATION’S INVESTIGATIONS. WELLINGTON, Oct. 17. The Leather Research Association in their annual report have some interest ing remarks to make concerning New Zealand leather. They state that on the whole boot manufacturers have been buying New Zealand leather in considerable quantities. However, attention was drawn to certain defects such as bad colour, inability to scour the leather, and undue softness. The matter was investigated by the Research Association. Suggestions were made to overcome these defects, and the practical l’esult has been to give satisfaction ito the boot manufacturers. “In the past,” the Association states “Government institutions had not used New Zealand leather to a great extent. In the main this was due to_the factthat tanners had not known v the requirements of the institution, and the\ latter took i: for granted that the tanner was unable to produce the goods required. All of the institutions visited in New Zealand are now using New Zealand leather.”

Various problems concerning growth of moulds on leathers, the retanning of sole leather, and other details are reported to have been satisfactorily solved. Analyses recently made of New Zealand leather have shown very satisfactory results. Tests made with wear-testing machines show that leather produced in New Zealand is as good as if not better than, the English product. In fact", the average of New Zealand leather is higher than any imported leather that has been tested. Moreover, the water absorption of'New Zealand leather is much less than English leathers, a valuable asset from the wearer’s point of view, for it means amongst other things that New Zealand leather when wet will dry nnmh quicker. Samples of wattle bark as used in the local farmeries have been analysed. Now Zealand wattle bark is found to be unite up to the average. At the moment investigations are in progress Cn- +hp develonment of a supply of loca ly-grown tannin materials.