HESSIAN CLOTH FROM PHORMIUM TENAX.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3794, 19 May 1928, Page 3

HESSIAN CLOTH FROM PHORMIUM TENAX.

A DUNEDIN RESIDENT’S PRODUCTION. At Thursday’s meeting of the r Manawatu Flaxmillers’ Association a letter was received, from Mr. Robert Coghill, Dunedin, stating that for some time past he had been engaged in research work into the uses of phormium tenax, and stating that ho had -produced a long-fibre spinnable, silky, material from the native tow, together with an engineer’s wiping waste, superior, according to official reports, to cotton waste. A sacking and wool pack material had also -been produced, the latter free from the objectionable loose fibres that are in jute packs. The processes had been covered by patients either provisional or complete, and could be worked on a commercial scale. The resulting produce it appeared, could complete in price with those imported into this Dominion. A sample jof 'sacking material was enclosed and was of a very strong nature and appeared to be a remarkably fine material to use as a basis for carpets, etc. A company has been formed to engage in the industry of spinning and weaving phormium tenax fibre in accordance with the above method. Members of the Association expressed a good deal of interest in the material. NEW EXTRACTION PROCESS. For a very long period those associated with the flax industry have sought to improve the methods for extracting fibre from flax, and an Australian inventor has discovered a method which it is claimed will effect enormous savings to the industry (says an exchange). Samples of the leaf under the new process were put through recently in Sydney, under the observation of the representative of a local flax development company, and those samples have been submitted to Dr. Marsden, of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and also to the chief hemp grader, Mr. Petrie, in Wellington. The reports received from these de- » partments are of a very encouraging nature, and arrangements have been made for a larger test to be made shortly in Sydney of two tons of leaf which is to be sent over from New Zealand, and at which lest a New Zealand Government representative will in all probability be present.