The Packing of New Zealand * Hemp.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 14 January 1892, Page 2

The Packing of New Zealand * Hemp.

The hydraulic pressure to which New Zealand flax has for some fcinie past been subjected has frequently been the subject of unfavourable comment on the part of flax dressers, but it would seem the American buyers are beginning to take objection to this most reprehensible practice. From the Cordage Trade Journal of the Ist December, published in New York, we. take the following remarks on this subject :— »

In the November 15th igsue, the New Zealand correspondent of the Journal stated that the question of the dumping of New Zealand flax was engaging the attention of the London fibre brokers who, it is stated are inclined to think that the present, mode of hydraulic pressing ig objec-' tionable, as the hemp becomes hard and matted. A representative of the Cordage Trade Journal has interviewed several of the superintendents of the cordage manufacturing establishments located in the vicinity of New York City on this matter, and the essential points brought out are printed below.

Mr John G. Wood, superintendent of the cordage works of L. Waterbury and Co., Waterbury and Ten Eyek Streets, Brooklyn, sauT^^ "" My experience with New Zealand hemp has not been such as to v bring to my consideration the matter whioh you speak about ; but there can be no doubt that the hydraulic pressure to which the hemp is subjected is objeccionable. In the handling of other fibres we have experienced the same trouble, and in some instances it has proved very serions lucked. For example, here are some pieces of fibre just as they came from, the baie. The specimens consisted of

1 several pieces of fibre some three or four inches in length, which were firmly matted together; they had been broken cff so clean that one would think that they had beyn severed by a knife. ' Although this is an extreme case,' continued 'Mr Wood, '' these samples show the damage that may be done. In this instance heavy claims were and there is no such fibre coming here at present ; we can't use it, and it would have to be rejected. The original baling appears to leave the fibre all right, but when it is about to bo shipped, the original bales are cempressed into ' doubles ' or ' triplet,, for the purpose of saving freight room on the vessel, and the steel bands are placed around them. This immense pressure is highly injurious. As I have said, I have not had any serious trouble in this respect with New Zealand hemp, but the present mode of shipping is prejudical to the fibre, and could it be obviated, it would be benificia both to cordage manufacturers and the shippers of the fibre. If an improvement is not made, the shippers are likely to have large claims made upon them for the damage that is occasioned."

Mr A. E. Biederman, the superintendant of the Tucker and Carter Cordage Company's plant, on Classiqn Avenue, Brooklyn, was next seen by the reporter. In answer to the latter 's questions, he said: —

" The trouble we find with New Zealand hemp is the size of the bale. They seem to try to get two ordinary bales into one fair sized package, which effort, although immense pressure is used, results in a bale that is too unwieldy to handle. When the large bales are transported fche long distance from New Zealand they often reach this country in very had condition, and the steel bands have to be removed, and the bales divided before they can be removed to a store-house. When the hemp goes to London, and is then shipped to the United States, trouble in this respect is almost sure to be experienced. Those bales of 600 or 9001 b certainly do have the effect of injuring the fibre, and it is to the interest of all concerned that the hemp be put up in smaller b°ales. In my opinion, if it were packed in bales of, say, 4001 b each-500lbat the outside it would be a decjdgjl improvement." Mr .Jtoha.- RtfewaVt, the superintendent^T the works of Messrs William Wall and Sons, was seen in his office at the factory. He said : —

41 1 think the present method of packing makes the fibre weaker than it would otherwise be. If some other method was adopted the fibre would reach us in a cleaner condition than it does now, as the tremendous pressing breaks the fibre, ordinary at the ends, making a considerable amount of waste, which could, probably, be avoided to some extent."

Mr Allan, of the D. Allan's Sons Rope Company was seen in the office of the company, Third Avenue and Sixth street, Brooklyn, He said : —

"It is some years since we have worked any considerable amount of New Zealand hemp, and I, therefore cannot speak from any personal experience on the matter; but, in a general way, I would say that com* pressing any fibre is injurious. With sisal and New Zealand especially, this is so, as these fibres seem to have mucilaginious substances, which, under pressure, makes a bale of either fibre almost a solid mat. When the fibre is in this condition it is difficult to handle, causing a great loss of time in opening a bale : where a man can usually open eight or nine bales in a day, when the fibre is in a matted condition, it frequently takes four or five hours to open a single bale. Another disadvantage is that this matted fibre works badly in the machines."