NEW FLAX MACHINE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1160, 18 October 1913, Page 3

NEW FLAX MACHINE.

DESIGNER INTERVIEWED

MAY CHANGE WHOEE

INDUSTRY.

Visiting New Zealand at present is Mr Hubert J. Boeken, au inventor ot machinery from the Old Country, who describes himself as “ a German by birth, British by naturalisation, and an Irishman by education.” And there is no disputing his claim, as be is a naturalised Briton and a graduate of the University of Dublin. The value of scholarships won by him at the Blackrock College amounted to Though he distinguished himself in modern languages aud political economy, his bent was mechanics aud during tbe past quarter of century he has taken out some 200 patents. He interested himself in machinery for treating fibrous plants, with the result that to-day his “ Corona” machine —well known in sisalgrowing countries —is considered the best the world has to offer. In support of that he mentions having been awarded gold medals at Tourcoiug (France), Allahabad (India) and at Sourabaya, Java, in 1910. “ Corona ’’ machines are also in general use in East aud West Afiica, the Philippines and Central America, HOW IT HAPPKNKD. “The machine,” said Mr Boeken, “ is more than a machine —it is a self-contained mill. It takes the vegetable blades in at one end, aud ejects the required product at the other ready for baling. How I came to turu my altentiou to adapting the machine for the treatment of New Zealand flax was almost au accident. In Eondon last year your High Commissioner (Hon. Thos. Mackenzie), who knew of me, told Mr Joseph Eiggins, 01 Tokomaru (near Palmerston North), to see me. As president of the Flaxmillers’ Association Mr Eiggius was naturally interested in fibrewiuuiug machines. We met, and he showed me a bundle of green New Zealand flax —the first 1 had ever seen. At first I hoped that it could be Jrealed by my machine, just as sisal was, but ou experimenting I lound that that could not be done. On testing with the green flax I found it impossible to make decortication easy. I saw that the outer epidermis of the New Zealand flax was of au extremely hard and leathery nature, and would therefore have to be especially treated in some way or other.

NEW ZEALAND ELAX EKOM IRELAND,

“As the result of several consultations with Mr Higgins, and experiments, I constructed a machine, which was tested at Home with several loads of New Zealand flax—from the North of Ireland. This was obtained through the offices of one of my old University Iriends in Dublin from a lady who had a quantity ot flax growing on her estates, “The machine, or series of machines, though not theu perfected, was found capable of dressing the flax in a manner which prevented any waste of fibre, and did away with the scutching and paddockiug which are essential to the present process of dressing. As a matter ot fact the flax produced by my machine only needed drying before being baled for sale on the market. Then I propose to save the pulpy parts of the blades and the green colouring matter, thereby effectively preventing the pollution of rivers and streams. OUT TO NK,W ZEALAND. “When my experiments at Home had given such results as proved satisfactory to the High Commissioner and the Produce Commissioner (Mr Cameron), as well as to Mr Higgins, I entered into an arrangement with Mr Higgins to come out to New Zealand for the purpose of erecting on his propery, at Tokomaru, ray first plant of machinery for dressing New Zealand flax. That plant arrived here at the beginning of July last, and was erected close to the railway line (at Tokomaru), where I started it on Monday last. The first results were as satisfactory as could be desired, but proved to me that certain alterations to the machine are necessary before I will be quite satisfied. Others who were present were more than satisfied with the work which the machine did, but I was not. That is why I came to Wellington to obtain certain parts. NO WASTE, “ The plant is complete in itself —it takes the green flax in at one end, 20 or 30 blades at a mouthful, dresses it thoroughly, and by means of an artificial dryer turns out marketable fibre at the other end. Where the artificial dryer is not provided the fibre will have to be dried in the open air before being baled ready for shipment. There is no waste. The flax contains a valuable product in its vegetable wax (which is similar to the carauba wax of commerce), acids and other chemicals, which later on may be turned to profit In the Old World. For the present they will be turned into briquettes for firing the furnaces.

“As to the details of the machine —well, you may see it working later. I should add that Messrs Richardson, M’Cabe and Co., Ltd., n Grey Street, Wellington, are my agents in New Zealand.’’

Mr Boeken returned to Palmerston North by the mid-day express on Saturday. With respect to the above it may be slated that several flax-

millers who saw the machine working at Tokomaru were delighted with the results given, and seem to believe that it will be of the greatest service to the industry.—Dominion.