THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1014, 24 October 1912, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

SEPTEMBER GRADING RETURNS.

The total number of bales of hemp graded during the month of September was 6,863. as compared with 6,510 bales tor the corresponding month of last year, au increase ot 353 bales. For the twelve months ending 30th September, 1912, the number of bales graded was 91,519, as compared with 97,427 for the previous twelve months, the decrease being 5,908 bales. During the month, 1,911 bales of tow were dealt with, as compared with 1,549 for the coi responding month of last year, an increase ot 362 bales. For the twelve months ending 30th September, 1912, the number of bales graded was 25,750, as against 29,442 for the previous twelve months, the decrease being 3,692 bales.

The number of bales of hemp graded at the different ports was : —Foxtou 3,395, Wellington 2,337, Auckland 456, Picton 304, Bluff 227, Dunedin 125, and Blenheim 19. The hemp dealt with at the different ports was graded as under

Good Port, Fine. Fair. Fair. Com.

Fight bales at Auckland, six at Foxton, and three at Wellington were rejected, and 11 bales at Auckland were condemned.

The tow graded at the different ports was as follows :

rjPort.

First Grade. v Sec’nd Grade. Third Grade. ' Cond. Total.

At Wellington, 159 bales of stripper slips, and 139 at Foxtou were passed for shipment. Five bales at Wellington were condemned.

FURTHER EETTER FROM MR. EIGGINS.

Another very interesting letter bearing on the flax industry has been received from Mr Joseph Eiggins, president of the N.Z. i'laxmiilers’ Association, by Mr E. E. Broad, the vice-president. Mr Eiggins writes that since advising the purchase of Downham’s Decortiuator as being a machine that would be likely to suit the New Zealand flaxmillers, developments had taken place that some-

what altered the situation, and would make it advisable to at least defer definite purchase for the present. Cross aud Bevan had written him that a friend had invented a very ingenious machine which had been applied successfully to paper making. Cross and Bevan had sent him the New Zealand pamphlets, and had suggested the particular mechanical effect which would be exactly suited to the cleaning of phormium leaf. He was taking out a New Zealand patent, and bad advised Mr Lig* gins that, with regard to the assistance of the mechanical action by chemical means, they had been able to obtain an average sample of green leaf, aud had carried out a treatment simple and inexpensive. This, they said, certainly enabled them to effect a simple separation of the three tissues.

“These results are important,” says Mr Liggius, “and should their proposal be acceptable to the Minister, Mrßowack (the analyst) will be able to carry out the treatment on the spot. lam to see the result next week.

“Mr Cross informs me that this method should increase the yield ot fibre at least up to twenty per cent.

“I also am informed by Mr C. Stuart Cox that their people at Newark have got samples of green flax, and it looks as if they would be likely to do well with them. I have also had fibre samples aud green leaf forwarded to investigators in about twenty different countries. Some ot them have obtained partial results on the lines of Dr Rockstraw’s, but much better; and 1 trust we may benefit by the introduction of our prepared hemp to the spinner of cloth, etc. “The best result of our advertising has been to bring our requirements to the notice of Mr Hubert J. Boeken, civil engineer, a German gentleman, who is also a life member of the Convocation of the Royal Universities of Ireland. This gentleman is the inventor of the Corona machine (lisal), aud has sold his machine everywhere lisal is grown. Mr Boeken came to Loudon expressly to glean information from myself as to our requirements. He was most exhaustive as to his enquiries re our present machines, and showed a great knowledge of the capabilities of phormium. I gave him very full information as to parts of the machine. . . . On his last

visit he gave me a rough sketch of his idea, which he hopes to perfect. (Mr Eiggius enclosed a copy). “Mr Boeken has such an idea of the capabilities of our phormium that he intends coming to New Zealand in January to conduct his experiments. He may purchase a block of flax and a disused mill if the price permits. He is a rich man and a scientist, one of those men who take up an industrial problem for love and the pleasure of attainment. The bonus to him will not be a final consideration, but only an incident appertaining to his success.’’

Auckland — 5 2 286 99 Foxton 5 865 2439 80 Wellington 36 1602 670 26 Blenheim 19 — — — Picton 58 192 54 — Dunedin — 1x6 9 — Bluff — 63 159 5

Auckland — 62 92 63 217 Foxton i43 493 44 — 680 Wellington 388 425 25 14 852 Blenheim — 10 — — 10 Picton 26 — — — 26 Lyttelton — 75 — “ 75 Dunedin — 11 — — 11 Bluff — 26 14 — 40