A FLAX CHALLENGE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 28, 5 August 1871, Page 6

A FLAX CHALLENGE.

Mr C. J. Pownall, challenges the flaxdressers of this colony or elsewhere to a competitive trial of the merits of his process of preparing the flax fibre against any other method. The challenge is for £SOO, the test to be the superiority of the quality of the fibre produced, combined with the simplicity of the method of production and the wear and tear of the machine. Apart from the sensational character given to the challenge by the monetary stipulation attached to it, we shall be glad to hear of the acceptance of Mr Pownall’s offer by one or more of our flax dressers. By whatever means it is brought about, we think some such competitive trial should be made, not to take place in any particular locality nor to be confined to any particular number of manufacturers. A flax exhibition will take place during the sitting of the Assembly, but it is not certain that such an exhibition will bring about the result most to be desired, viz., the exhibition of varieties of machinery which will produce excellence of fibre, combined with an economical mode of preparation, because it is only by the combination of these conditions that we shall be able in the long run to set at rest the question whether or not we can produoe flax of such a quality and at such a price as to enable us to establish the article in the English market in opposition to the prejudices of some of

the Yorkshire manufacturers, and the formidable rivalry ot Manilla and other hemps. But we do not think the method of challenge adopted by Mr Pownall is likely to assist us to so desirable a result; however, we shall hope to find our ideas to be incorrect. A similar offer was thrown out by Dr Florance, of Christchurch, who challenged the colonial flaxdressers to the amount of £IOO, but the only doubt in his ease would be as to the best fibre, because, according to the doctor’s statements, the cost of cleaning was very small indeed, the process adopted by him being the washing of the fibre in a chemical solution. This challenge was'never accepted, nor is Mr Pownall’s likely to be. We make known Dr Florence's proposal, because he may still be open to make a bet; and as both inventors are anxious to hazard so large an amount of money on their respective processes, it may be possible to get up a match, although Dr Florance employs no machine, so far as we are aware. However, Mr Pownall, in common with all the flax dressers of the colony, has our best wishes, and we hope to see the trial made for which he seems so anxious. In Auckland, Otago, and Canterbury the thing is taken up with something like vigor and a determination to bring about a successful result. In Canterbury they have a flax association not for the growth of flax, but for the dissemination of information as to the mode of culture and preparation, and for the obtaining of data on the subject from all parts’of the world. A room has been built by the society for the exhibition of specimens prepared by different methods ; and as an incentive to the farmers to plant a small portion of their farms with the best qualities of flax, the Agricultural and Pastoral Society offer annual prizes for the best grown and prepared flax —hints that might be adopted and turned to very profitable account by our merchants and others in the Province of Wellington, i ntereeted in the success of the flax industry.