✨ Flax Sample Descriptions
18
PROGRESS REPORT OF THE FLAX COMMISSIONERS.
strain of all the different kinds of fibre in the market, tested both as straight fibre and
when twisted into strands.
5. The investigation of the peculiar action of sea water on rope made of Phormium fibre, and
the reason for its not absorbing tar, as has been alleged, will naturally form part of the
third branch of the subject already indicated.
JAMES HECTOR,
Chairman of Flax Commission.
SAMPLES OF FLAX, numbered from 1 to 15, accompanying this Memorandum.
Native-dressed.
No. 1. Harakeke.—Common swamp flax from Otaki; stripped and scraped with a shell, then
washed for a few minutes in running water. Selected leaves of twelve or eighteen months old.
No. 2. The same as No. 1, but not washed at all.
No. 3. From the same plants as Nos. 1 and 2, but stripped from the opposite (or under) side of
the leaf. The tissue obstinately adheres to and discolours these fibres.
No. 4. From the same leaves as No. 1, but further prepared for the manufacture of the Kaitaki or
fine mats, by soaking in running water for several days, and then beating with a stone or mallet.
No. 5. Common swamp flax from Otaki; merely stripped with a shell, as sold to rope-spinners
at 1½d. per lb. Neither scraped nor washed.
No. 6. Same as No. 5, but hand-hackled by rope-spinners. Shows that the fibre is discoloured by
being allowed to remain in contact with the tissue in which it was embedded.
No. 7. A superior sample from the Waikato, furnished by Sir George Grey five or six years ago.
Native-dressed, and further prepared by mechanical or chemical action. Process unknown.
Machine-dressed.
No. 8. Mr. Stonyer, Okoka Mills, Kaiapoi. Passed twice through stripping machine, soaked in
water for one hour, sun-dried, scutched, and hackled. (Took first prize of Canterbury Flax Association.)
No. 9. Captain F. W. Hutton, Waikato—Machine-stripped, then washed and sun-dried.
No. 10. T. S. Macffarlane, Auckland—Similar process to No. 9, but with more prolonged washing
or steeping, and wet-scutched.
No. 11. G. Booth, Waikoura Mills—Three times passed through stripper, washed, and dried.
(See page 53, D. No. 114.)
No. 12. Riky's process—Boiling with wood ashes, and combing when wet; prepared in four hours.
No. 13. McFarlane and Wilson, Whakatane—Stripped by machine, then passed through India-
rubber rollers, and bleached by fumigating with sulphur.
No. 14. John Journeaux, Wellington—Steamed, rolled, and fermented. (See page 51, D. No. 114.)
No. 15. C. J. Pownall—Scraping, washing, and sun-drying. (See page 50, D. No. 14.)
NZ Gazette 1871, No 1
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Progress Report of Flax Commissioners and Memorandum on Fibre Examination
(continued from previous page)
🌾 Primary Industries & Resources27 December 1870
Flax samples, fibre testing, Native preparation, Machine preparation, Otaki, Waikato, Kaiapoi, Auckland, Whakatane, Wellington
9 names identified
- George Grey (Sir), furnished superior sample flax
- Stonyer (Mr.), prepared machine-dressed flax sample
- F. W. Hutton (Captain), prepared machine-dressed flax sample
- T. S. Macffarlane, prepared machine-dressed flax sample
- G. Booth, prepared machine-dressed flax sample
- McFarlane, prepared machine-dressed flax sample
- Wilson, prepared machine-dressed flax sample
- John Journeaux, prepared machine-dressed flax sample
- C. J. Pownall, prepared machine-dressed flax sample
- James Hector, Chairman of Flax Commission