Oct. 1, 1864.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



PHORMIUM TENAX, OR NEW ZEALAND FLAX. 127 



any person or persons who should succeed in inventing a process by 

 which the fibre of the Phormium tenax should be prepared in a proper 

 condition for the purposes of the manufacturer. For some years past, 

 several persons in the different provinces of New Zealand, induced by 

 these offered premiums, have directed their attention to the subject, and, 

 indeed, I believe that in the North Island a patent has actually betn 

 taken out and worked by one or more individuals, but it is understood 

 that their operations have been as yet on but a limited scale. It is 

 within the knowledge of the writer that practical experiments are at 

 present being carried on in different quarters, and have already, in fact, 

 been brought to a favourable conclusion. He has brought with him 

 from Otago a sample of the fibre prepared by a gentleman lately of 

 Glasgow, and now resident in Dunedin, but is in expectation of receiv- 

 ing soon specimens of a much superior character. The gentleman in 

 question is of opinion that the flax could be prepared in a state superior 

 to the sample referred to for about 12Z. a ton in Dunedin, which, even 

 with the addition of freight and other charges, would render it quite 

 practicable to introduce the material into this country for the manufac- 

 ture of paper, at a price which would allow it to compete with other 

 substances. 



It may be safely predicted, taking into consideration what has already 

 been done and is at present doing in New Zealand in relation to the 

 preparation of the Phormium tenax fibre, and keeping in view the great 

 scientific and practical resources of our age, that the difficulties above 

 adverted to will speedily be disposed of in a satisfactory manner. It 

 only remains for the manufacturers of Britain to show that they have a 

 desire for the introduction and employment here of the New Zealand 

 flax, to add another important item to our multifarious imports, and a 

 new and valuable addition to the exports sent home from our distant but 

 thriving colony. 



[There is no doubt of New Zealand flax being suitable for paper- 

 making, for we have seen very excellent paper made with it ; but as in 

 a raw state the cost of chemical treatment and loss of weight by bleach- 

 ing is very great, it can scarcely be valued at more than 61. or 11. per 

 ton delivered in this country. If it could be imported at a cheap rate, 

 large quantities of it could be sold — Ed. Tech.] 



