Report from America on same subject.

Manawatu Herald, 3 August 1893, Page 2

Report from America on same subject.

West Newton, P.A. December 15th 1892. Deab Bib, — In reply to your requst, we are at length able to make a report on the sample of New Zealand flax, which you sent us for running into paper, and would say that it can be used in the manufacture of Manilla wrapping and Manilla bag paper and doubt* less also in many other grades. The flax, however, if of such a character that it requires a good deal of handling in the rotaries, washing engines and drainers betore it is suitable to go to the beating engifies which involves considerable expense in the way of steam and labour besides a heavy shrinkage in the stock. '•■■.•-••- We are satisfied that this material might be used in other grades of paper than those mentioned ; but oaring to the sample lot which we Had, being a comparatively small amount of stock to handle we were unable to make as many experiments as we should like to have done, in ijorder to fully answer all your enquiries. I We would put the value of the I stock at about £ a cent a pound at the mill (about £2 8s per ton. jj.G.W.) This would seem to you a very low valuation but you must bear in mind that the stock itself is not a strong fibre and comes in competi.

tion with other fibres (like bagging, burlaps, jute butts and other paper stocks of this character, as well in the flax grown in this country. In addition to this, the very superior quality of sulphite fibre (which is so generally used here) both for strength and softness makes it undesirable for a paper maker to "use the so called cheap grades of stock. To summerise our report is 1. The Naw Zealand Fla isx suitable for use as a paper stock. 2. Its use would be confined almost entirely to coloured grades such as Manilla and Bag papers. 3. It would have to be delivered at the mills at a very low cost (say half a cent a pound) in order to compete with other grades of paper stock, such as bagging, jute, butts, and strings, sulphite 1 fibre, etc. We much regret that we cannot give you a more encouraging report of the value of this stock, but our experience with it .convinces us tbat we wotild not be justified in any other than the above opinion.-— Yours, &c, Westmorland Paper Co.