Jan. 8.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 77

tact-box, substantially as described. (5.) In a surface-contact electric-traction system of the kind referred to, a divided magnetized collecting-bar or skate with switching arrangement for the magnetizing windings thereof, constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive of the drawings. (6.) In a surface-contact electric-traction system of the kind referred to, the combination with the switch carrying the movable contact in each contact-box of a blow-out electro-magnet constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as described with reference to Fig. 7.
(Specification, 10s.; drawings, 4s.)

No. 15769.—17th December, 1902.—RICHARD FREDERICK BRADSHAW and WILLIAM EDWARD HARDING, both of Boulder, Western Australia, Engineer and Engine-driver respectively. An improved high-pressure tap for filter-presses and other purposes.

Claims.—(1.) The described high-pressure tap, consisting of the various parts constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as and for the purposes described, and as illustrated in the drawings. (2.) In a tap as described, the use of a plug as C, having a vent as C1, and working within a cylinder as A, and provided with a resistent cushioned end or seal joint as D, substantially as set forth, and as illustrated in the drawings. (3.) In a tap as described, the operative means consisting of a locking-can as F and F1, and arranged with a fixed pivot as E1, and a movable pivot as G1, and carried by links as B2, trunnioned as at B1, and worked by a handle as G, substantially as set forth, and as illustrated in the drawings.
(Specification, 3s. 6d.; drawings, 1s.)

No. 15770.—17th December, 1902.—JAMES HOLDEN BRAITHWAITE, of St. Mary’s Villa, Gawber Road, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, Gentleman. A new or improved free-wheel and variable-speed gearing for use in connection with velocipedes, motor-cars, and the like, and for other purposes.

Claims.—(1.) A new or improved free-wheel and variable-speed gear, comprising a driven part preferably taking the form of a circular plate or disc, furnished with radial slots or recesses, a driving-part which may take the form of a chain ring, carried against the driven part and furnished with an annular groove or channel containing clutch-blocks corresponding in number to the radial grooves in the driven part, and each engaging one of the said slots or grooves by means of a lateral pin, stud, or extension, in combination with means for raising and lowering the driving-part against the face of the driven part, so that it may be more or less eccentric thereto, substantially as set forth. (2.) A new or improved free-wheel and variable-speed gear, consisting of a disc such as a formed integrally with or secured to a hub such as a¹, or other part or mechanism required to be driven, and formed with radial slots or grooves such as a², a chain ring such as b, furnished with an annular channel or groove formed with a strengthening-flange such as b², carried against the face of the plate or disc a, and supported on ball bearings by a circular disc d carried on a broad ring d¹ mounted upon the hub or the like a¹, and furnished with a broad flanged opening d² to allow of the disc d and chain ring b sliding up and down against the face of the plate or disc a, in combination with the mechanism for raising and lowering the disc d and chain ring b, substantially as described and shown with reference to the drawings, and for the purposes specified. (3.) The combination with a free-wheel and variable-speed gear such as above claimed of the mechanism for raising and lowering the chain ring or driving-member, substantially as described and shown, with more particular reference to Figs. 1, 7, and 15 to 17 of the drawings. (4.) The modified arrangement for rendering the variation in gear automatic, substantially as described and shown, with more particular reference to Figs. 18 to 20 of the drawings.
(Specification, 6s. 6d.; drawings, 3s.)

No. 15773.—17th December, 1902.—PERCY JOHN WHITFIELD, of 37, Maud Street, Geelong, Victoria, Engineer. Improved apparatus for compressing forage, wool, and like substances into bales.

Claims.—(1.) In apparatus for compressing forage, wool, and like substances into bales, two vertical boxes adapted to revolve on a vertical pillar alternately beneath a low-compression rammer or stamper and a high-compression ram, substantially as and for the purposes set forth and as illustrated. (2.) In apparatus for compressing forage, wool, and

like substances into bales, a reciprocating low-compression rammer mounted upon a crank-shaft, the head or monkey plate of said rammer being constructed so as to collapse on the up stroke and allow the material fed from above to pass beneath it and ram or press on the down stroke, substantially as and for the purposes specified and as illustrated. (3.) In apparatus for compressing forage, wool, and like substances into bales, a low-compression rammer or stamper having a monkey plate or head constructed in two pivoted or hinged parts and operated by a connecting-link pivotally mounted on a vertical rod, having a roller working in a cam-race on the crank-pin, substantially as and for the purposes set forth and as illustrated. (4.) In apparatus for compressing forage, wool, and like substances into bales, a high-compression ram whose head is fitted with two bevelled pivoted depending pieces and slotted, in combination with a base plate having corresponding pivoted pieces and slots for the reception of the binding-hoops, substantially as set forth and illustrated. (5.) In apparatus for compressing forage, wool, and like substances into bales, a high-compression ram the head of which is detachably secured to a flange on the bottom of the rod, and is provided on two opposite sides with a depending piece suitably pivoted within the head and bevelled on its inner and outer edges, and provided with a lug so arranged that when in its normal position within the box an approximately triangular-shaped slot is formed, through which the hoops are threaded, substantially as and for the purposes set forth and as illustrated. (6.) In apparatus for compressing forage, wool, and like substances into bales, a bottom box made in two angular parts adapted to be locked together and released at diagonally opposite joints, and slid up above the compressed bale and over the top box, substantially as set forth and illustrated. (7.) In apparatus for compressing forage, wool, and like substances into bales, a bottom box made in two angular parts, having an angular extension at each end adapted to form a pocket, within which is a laterally movable block, in combination with a cam-rod or eccentric bearing against said block on one side and a plate secured to said angular parts on the other side, substantially as and for the purposes set forth and as illustrated.
(Specification, 8s. 6d.; drawings, 4s.)

No. 15774.—17th December, 1902.—CYRIL FREDERICK DUNN, of 18, Gordon Avenue, Kew, Victoria, Accountant (assignee of Joseph Bartlett Davies, of “Elouera,” Wheatland Road, Malvern, Victoria, Accountant). An improved nail or screw for securing corrugated iron.

Claims.—(1.) A nail or screw for the purpose specified, having a soft-metal bearing-part or surface under the solid head, secured by being made to overlap the periphery of head without covering the head and by fitting above projections on or into indentations formed in the shank of the blank nail, such projections being either left as existing before attachment of soft-metal part or forced upward during attachment of said soft-metal part, substantially as described and shown. (2.) A nail or screw for the purpose specified, having a soft-metal bearing-part or surface as B secured under the solid head by fitting about the periphery of head, and by being clamped under the head by burrs formed from webs on the nail-shank, substantially as described and shown. (3.) A nail or screw for the purpose specified, having a soft-metal bearing-part, sheathing, or ring secured under the head by its fitting about the periphery of head, substantially as described and shown. (4.) A nail or screw for the purpose specified, having a soft-metal bearing-part or sheathing secured under the head by the inner edge of the soft-metal part passing to above burrs or projections formed about the shank of nail, substantially as described and shown. (5.) A nail or screw for the purpose specified, having a soft-metal bearing-part or sheathing secured under the head by portions of the inner edge of the soft-metal part passing into indentation formed in the shank, substantially as described and shown. (6.) A nail or screw for the purpose specified, composed of a hard-metal solid-head nail or screw combined, with a soft-metal bearing-part or surface-sheathing or ring secured and affixed to the hard-metal head and shank of nail without the aid of a washer or washers, substantially in the manner described, and as shown in the drawings.
(Specification, 5s.; drawings, 1s.)

No. 15778.—18th December, 1902.—THOMAS ROBERTSON, of Mount Mitchell, Ballarat, Victoria, Grazier. An improved method of and means for killing rabbits by poisoning.

Claims.—(1.) As a means for killing rabbits, a mat or strip of flexible skin or fabric coated with a poisonous, moist, pasty compound placed in the mouth or opening of rabbit-burrows and like rabbit-resorts in such manner that a portion of such poisonous matter must adhere to the paws and possibly the