Gomess Process.

So much has been written upon this process that I felt it my duty to make a special effort to attend at the experimental works outside London. After several interviews with the Rhea Fibre Treatment Company (Limited), I visited the works with the secretary of the company, who introduced me to Dr. Gomess. This gentleman informed me that he had already made several unsuccessful experiments with New Zealand flax (as he described it), the true nature of which he frankly admitted he did not quite understand. On explaining to him that New Zealand hemp was Phormium tenax he became very interested, and, having exhibited a small sample of Native-dressed fibre (for which I am indebted to Mr. Hone Heke, M.H.R.), he expressed the opinion that there was a great future for an improved and extended use of the plant. He thereupon promised to make further experiments, and report the result. I strongly recommended his perusal of Dr. Hector's excellent work on Phormium tenax. Notwithstanding several efforts and special letters written on the subject, I have not yet received any report as to the result of his experiments. His letter of the 25th January, 1898, is attached hereto, which gives the reason for the delay.