Value Of Coconut Fibre

Letter to the Editor ISAW an article in your paper about the coir industry in New Guinea, by Mr. Thomas Wallace, and regret that he was not given a fair show.

Sixty years ago, I saw the coconut fiore worked by a machine, driven by two mules, on a tread-mill, in the island of Wakaya, 10 miles from Levuka, Fiji.

The husks were soaked in salt water, in tubs, and then beaten, and held to the machine. The fibres were bound in bales, and exported.

Eight years ago I was running a 200tons schooner to the island of Rotuma, and there I saw the natives making coir rope, for tethering their animals, out of long-fibre husks, by hand. To the best of my recollection, it was plaited. So many plaited strands were used, accord ing to the size and strength required.

The first two portions were twisted together, then the third was put on at the finish. An Indian who lives there taught them the art.

The natives of these Fiji Islands plait the fibres and put them up in large blocks. They use them in house build ing and canoe work.

I believe the plaits make a stronger rope, because it is interlocked in the plaiting—the fibres are too short for mere spinning. I have seen the fault in imported coir ropes.

A machine could be got to do the plaiting.

My father bought the sinnets from natives, and made ropes for his use of three strands. He used three handles, and one at the rear to twist the rope.

I am, etc.,

Pioneer Sprig.

Suva, Nov. 10, 1941.