Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1906. BLEACHING FLAX. A NEW PROCESS DISCOVERED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3617, 27 February 1906, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1906. BLEACHING FLAX. A NEW PROCESS DISCOVERED.

Yet another process of bleaching flax is reported, this time by Messrs Watson a.id Mackay, of Dunedin, who have succeeded, after considerable research, in discovering a process for bleaching New Zealand flax, waich is likely to have a most important bearing on the flax industry. An exchange says a sample of the fibre after being turned out front an ordinary flaxmill after being treated went to show that the process is likely to be a success. The fibre was free from gum, of good colour, and presented no appearance of being ally Way prejudicially affected by the process. It is estimated that by the new process there will be a saving of £2 los per ton as compared vvith the present system. As the flax exported from the colony during 1904 was valued at it will be at once evident that the new process is of much importance. Under the present system, from four to six weeks are occupied in manufacturing the fibre. The patentees claim that they can turn out the fibre of a superior grade in 24 hours. Flaxmillers will undoubtedly show an anxiety to test the qualifications of the new process, which it is hoped is all it is claimed to be.