LINEN FLAX

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24422, 7 October 1940, Page 9

LINEN FLAX

PROCESSING MACHINERY CONSTRUCTION PROCEEDING RAILWAY WORKSHOPS BUSY (Special ro Dails Times) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 6. The decision of the Government to undertake in New Zealand the production of linen flax fibre has opened up a new field for manufacturing engineers. stated Mr D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Railways, to-day He added that the railway workshops at Addington and Hillside, as well as various private firms, were busy at the moment in constructing the- many units of machinery required for the treatment of the fibre in its raw state. “The machinery which we have undertaken to build at the two main South Island workshops,” Mr Sullivan said. “is of a complex nature. Fifteen tow-shakers for separating the fibre from its straw sheath, 15 fibre-scutch-ing or dressing machines, and 19 de seeding machines for releasing the new growth of seeds for subsequent planting form the principal parts of equipment which the Railways Department will build The department is also installing four locomotive boilers, complete with fittings, as well as other steam-producing plant, for installation with the fibre machinery at 10 South Island factories.” continued the Minister. “ For these installations and other works, trained men from the railway shops, fitters, boilermakers, carpenters, bricklayers and labourers are employed. The number of tradesmen engaged in constructing and installing the plant will be considerable. A portion of the machinery must be completed by January next.” concluded Mr Sullivan, “and. 1 am satisfied that the railwaymeh. equally with their fellows who are engaged on flax fibre machines in private establishments, will respond to the urgent demands upon their skill and industry, and thus ensure that the equipment .will, be ready for use immediately linen flax is ready for processing.”