THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 276, 27 June 1888, Page 2

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

At To Aroha the industry is likely to become an important one. Some years ago a fliix mill was started on a small scale by Mr John G ibbous,who constructed a long line of flaming to obtain a water supply from the creek T\hk-h runs down by tlio racecourse, and his machinery was driven by a Pelton wheel. Owing to Mr Gibbons getting into financial difficulties however, about that timo, this new branch to hisbusiress never had a fair trial, and when thcesHte was sold the machinery was purchased for re moval.

THR LOCAL KLAX MILL. During the latter part of 1887, however, Mr Coulthard, the proprietor of tlio (lax mill now working at To Aroha, decided to embark in the flax industry here ; ami in December last commenced operations which have boon carried on almost continuously ever since. Mr Coulthard thought a largo saving of labour, etc.. could be effected by having his plant and machine rocm erected on a large barge, which could be towed up or down river to the nearest accessible points from whence the supplies of the raw material were to be obtained ; and the plan was found to answer faiily well for a time during tho continuance of sum-

inor weather, but when winter sot in with the very high winds that are experienced here, it was found necessary to transfer the plant to. terra firma. A site was selected on the western bank of the Waihou river, right opposite the old punt landing, and adjoining the large store formerly used for a stor* in connection with the s.s Kotuku. Here buildings of a temporary character were erected with as little delay as possible and operations resumed ; and every day the work of converting the raw material into the marketable article is steadily progressing. At present operations aro confined to getting together a large stock ready for scutching ; the scutching house not being yet complete. The supply of j raw material is at present being obtained from the large flax swamps which adjoin the river some little distance above Te Aroha, fiom whence it is brought down by small barges. The cutting nnd delivering in small bundles at the mill is done by contract at per ton ; the bundles being weighed as supplies are required by Mr Coulthard's employees. The first stage of manufacture is the stiipping off of the thick coat of vegetable matter, gum, etc., that envelopes the fibre ; which is effected by passing it through a machine known as the dressing machine. This machine (which is driven by a four horse portable steam engine, Tangyge?, Birmingham) is very small, as may be inferred from the fact that only one flax leaf is fed in at a time, but they very rapidly succeed each other so that a large quantify of the raw material is treated daily. Koughly speaking, the maching consists of a metal drum fifteen inches in diameter by about six inches wide, which revolves at great speed — about 1-AOO ievolution's per minute. On the face of this drum, fixed at different angles transversely, are a number of small bars (say about 1£ inch deep by £ inch broad) with smooth rounded surface. Immediately beneath is what is termed the beating bar, with onlyj sufficient space between to admit the j fibre to pass out below ; the rough outer ! coating being knocked off by the beaters as the leaf passes downwards. Although the drum is fixed so as (o allow of only a uniform space between the drum and beating bar, there are two strong steel springs which will yield sufficiently in the event of very strong pressure to allow a larger substance than ordinary to pass through themaclrne. It should be stated that the flax is fed into the machine through two fluted roller?, which grip it tightly as it is forced on and brought into contact with the benter. The fibie as it cmereres from the dressing machine is caught by a boy stationed for that purpose, who places it on one side ready for the next process. This consists of its being well shaken and knocked about to get rid of as much of the loose substances still adhering as possible, after which it is tied up with a strip of the ra.v material and tin-own into a cage which is anchored alongside the river bank ready to receive it. Those cages are m-\«le of laths and are in about IS foot by 0 feet by 2 feet deep. Here it is kept submerged in water for about twenty four h<mr«, aivl is then taken direct to the bleaching ground, where it is thinly Ppread out. After lyirg about a fortnight the flax is then turned and allowed to blench about another ton day?, after which it is tied up in banks and carted back to the mill ; where it is stored awaiting the next operation, that of scutching. The scutcher hitheito used by Mr Coulthard is about 5 feet 0 inches in diameter, but he is now about to erect a more powerful one, which will be fully a foot larger in diameter and will require two men to feed it. Those engage! in tending the scutching machine stand in front of it when at wjrk, the scutchers revolving towards them, whilst in the Old Countiy the scutcher generally stands afc tho side as he fooda the machine. Mr Coulfchard expects the larger machine will be capable of dressing about four tons of flax per week. After being scutched H\e Hax is twisted into hanks of about two pounds weigh*, after which it is made up in bales of about 3cwt each ; and is then ready for market. Mr Conlthard slates as the result of hi=? experience that it requires from eiofht to ten tons of tho raw material for each ton of finished fibic. Mr Coulthard finds a ready sale for his flax in Auckland, the present value of good fibre being £18 per ton. (Mr R. P. Gibbons, who goes in largely for the (lax industry at Paovoa, ship? his flax Home direct., instead of disposing of it to Auckland firms). Mr Coulthard at present finds steady employment for about fourteen men and boys, and hopes shortly to bo f hie to double the present output; and as a matter of course will then require a. number of additional hands. From sixteen to eighteen tons of the raw material is now being treated per week. Tn establishing this industry in onr midst Mr Coulthard lias had many difficult! '8 to overcome and much to discourage him; but he has steadily persevered, so that now the plant is kept going steadily every day, and there is every probability that this mill will prove a successful venture, and with the introduction of more modern and labour saving machinery enable the proprietor to permanently establish an important local industry at Te Aroha, which will provide steady and pvofitstble employment for a large number or hands. \V*3 wish Mr Coulthard that success he so well deserves Below we publish an extract from a contemporary with reference to this important industry.

THE MONEY-MAKING FIBRE. Tho following relative to the flax industry appeared in a recent issue of the Rangiiikei Advocate, under the above heading ; ''While some capitalists havo been

clamouring for protection for industries foreign to the resources of the colony, some others have been taking advantage of one nfc least that needs no State aid, which is natural to the country, and which is said to be making splendid returns to those who have engaged in it. We allude to the flax milling industry. Improvements in the cleaning machinery, coupled with a comparative scarcity in the world's supply of fibre, have caused this, which some years ago was the occasion of disaster to so many, to be one of the most profitable occupations of the colony. As a guarantee of its permanency, it is said that the failure of the harvest in the principal fibre-growing countries and the consequent diminution of supplies has made it impossible that there can be any serious decrease in the price for three years at least, and that in the event of a European war, in which Russia and England took opposing sides — which would, of course, deprive the British market of its Russian imports — flax would enormously increase in value. Several fl/ix mills have been started around Foxton, and the increased supply of ready money in the place has perceptibly raised the mercury of the local storekeeper, and the old bogey depression has gone to sea, not being able to encounter the genial gaze of a public who look through goldrimmed spectacles. Ifc is said that one flaxmillei them has concluded a contract an Auckland firm, which uses a large amount of fibre, for all his output at the rate of £17 per ton on the Foxton wharf, or £18 at Auckland ; and there are people who assert, after comparing his output with his expenses, that this gentleman is making from £55 to £G0 per week clear profit. It seems that much better pecuniary results might have been secured by sending the fibre to England, but for the enormous charges levied upon it for freight and insurance, and by the atrocious middlemen, which amount altogether to fully 30 per cent on its value. Where flax is moderately plentiful an acre will produce about; forty tons of fibre."

We direct attention to Mr Duncan E. Clcrk'p advertisement. Mr Clerk's largo store will be found stocked with first claas goods in nil departments ; whilst the wants of the miners arespecially providedforby «'i branch store at Quartsville. Mr Clerk also receives orders for tweed suits to measure ; ;t large selection of patterns of tweeds etc., being kept on hand for customers to choose from ; the goods being mado up by fiist class tailors at the warehouse of Messrs Arch. Clark and Sons, Auckland. Notice is given by advertisement in our columns to-day, that application may bo made to the Warden on Tuesday. August 7th, for the right to occupy a number o£ business and residence sites at Waiorongomai, which have been f erf cited by tho Mining Inspector. Mr IT. Buttle, manager oC the Annand.de cstnte, Pi.iko, notifies that ho is prepared to deliver firs.t-cl.iss sheaf chaff for J!i3 Tos per ton. Mr Mai tin Mnrph} T , the now licensee o£ the Premier Itotol, Waiorongomai, announces that he will commence bnsine^ on Monday nrxt. Mr Murphy wn=» formerly proprietor of the City Ilotel, Auckl.md, and thosp patronising this house will find their want^cucCully attended to Why is the Colonial Bank of New Zealand at Cambridge like the Government? Because one has lost its Porter and the other its Stout.