To the Editor of the "New Zealand Spectator." Wellington, July 25th, 1849.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 416, 28 July 1849, Page 2

To the Editor of the " New Zealand Spectator." Wellington, July 25th, 1849.

Sir.— Having for several years been engaged in making a series of experiments upon the Flax, with a view to prepare it in a state fit for exportation; and having, I believe, succeeded in discovering a process by which it can be cheaply and properly prepared, I am anxious to make the process public, so that it may be tested by others, and the value of the discovery established. Without detailing the numerous experiments I have made, and the various substances I have employed, 1 may mention, that the only substance I have yet discovered capable of dissolving the gummy matter, which has hitheito been the obstacle to Fl<ix being made an article of export, is Alum. The process is simply this, — the Flax being out, is placed in a boiler filled with water in which a small portion of Alum is dissolved — say a couple of ounces to three or four gallons of water. The Flax is then boiled for from one to two hours, it is then placed in cold water, and the leaf is washed by the hands as in washing linen, when the whole of the green partis immediately sepai ated, and the fibre? aie left almost perfectly free from every other matter. My chief object in making this discovery public at the present time, is to establish my claim as the discoverer of the process. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, William Paterson.