IMPROVING FIBRE.

Shannon News, 4 December 1928, Page 3

IMPROVING FIBRE.

SHANNON INVESTIGATOR’S BLEACHING PROCESS. SPLENDID RESULTS OBTAINED, Apart from the Research Committee set up by the Government, there .is great activity in Shannon in regard to the development of the hetop industry. This may be said to centre round three points. A group of Shannon residents are endeavouring to form a company to take up the manufacture of sacks, wool packs, twine and ropes on a large scale which ■will result in the employment of a considerable amount of labour. As indicated in the recent article Mr Alex. Steven, who has been experimenting for many years, has discovered a process, which bleach-es-the flax completely and quickly and does not injure its durability. In addition to this Mr T. O. Thwaites, who was engaged in research work some years ago, was interrupted when just on the threshold of success. He has recently taken up his investigations at the point where they ceased, and has evolved a process that produces beautifully white fibre which aroused the admiration of the members of the N.Z. Flax-millers* Association at a meeting last week. Out of all these endeavours, it is confidently expected that the flaxindustry will enter upon a new era of prosperity; that, at any rate will be the wish pf all residents of Shannon.