2080
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 74

adjacent bevel edges, wedges for insertion between the said presser-plates, cone or tapered block for actuating the presser-plates and the wedges into and out of the gaps between the presser-plates, and means for withdrawing the presser-plates and wedges from the annular box to allow of insertion and withdrawal of tire-cover, substantially as and for the purposes described. (2.) Apparatus to be used in the manufacture of wheel-tire covers, comprising, in combination, annular box, a series of presser-plates around the inside of said box with adjacent bevel edges, wedges for insertion between the said presser-plates, such wedges and presser-plates being mounted upon shanks arranged to move in a frame and having bevel ends, a cone or tapered block mounted on screw shaft for insertion between said shank-ends, and means for actuating the cone or block back and forward on the shaft, substantially as and for the purposes described. (3.) Apparatus to be used in the manufacture of wheel-tire covers, comprising, in combination, annular box, a series of presser-plates around the inside of said box with adjacent bevel edges, wedges for insertion between the said presser-plates, such wedges and presser-plates being mounted upon shanks, a central screw shaft supported on bearings, a back plate m carrying box h for the reception of the shanks, the shanks having bevelled ends, a cone or tapered block mounted on screw rod for insertion between such shank-ends, a spring connection between the shanks and frame for returning the shanks against the action of the cone or tapered block, a recess in the plate m to receive the cone or block, means for moving the back plate back and forward on the screw rod, and means for moving the cone or block back and forward in and out of engagement with the shanks, substantially as and for the purposes described. (4.) Apparatus to be used in the manufacture of wheel-tire covers, comprising, in combination, annular box b on base, and having its interior face dished, and with annular groove at each side of the dished portion, a series of presser-plates f around the inside of said box and with adjacent bevel edges, wedges g for insertion between the said presser-plates, such wedges being mounted upon shanks g¹, a central screw shaft a supported on bearing a¹, a back plate m mounted on the shaft a, screw n connected with the annular casing and with the plate m and bearing on a², the shanks having bevelled ends, those of the presser-plates being longer than those of the wedges, a cone or tapered block mounted on screw rod a for insertion between such shank-ends, rods g² connected with shanks and springs g³ on the rods engaging with the boxes h, a recess in the plate m to receive the cone or tapered block, a frame k¹ on the cone or tapered block, and a block k on the screw rod a engaging with the frame whereby the cone or tapered block is moved back and forward on the screw rod, a hand-wheel l on the screw rod a to move back or forward the body m, substantially as and for the purposes described.
(Specification, 7s.; drawings, 3s.)

No. 15710.—29th November, 1902.—ARTHUR EDWARD REEVES, of Mataura, New Zealand, Flax-scutcher. Improvements in scutching-machines for dressing New Zealand flax.*

Claims.—(1.) A rod, curved at one end and secured to the lead flange of the tail drum, substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings, and for the purposes set forth. (2.) Curved bars of T-iron secured to the periphery of the tail drum for beating out the flax, substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and for the purposes set forth.
(Specification, 1s. 6d.; drawing, 1s.)

No. 15764.—15th December, 1902.—WILLIAM BAIN, of Christchurch, New Zealand, Ironmonger. An improved ball-bearing castor for furniture.*

Claims.—(1.) A plate that is provided with a male thread and means for attaching it to a piece of furniture or other article, said plate having a perfectly plane surface upon its underneath side, in combination with a truncated cup having a female thread, containing a castor ball and a number of smaller balls, the whole forming a ball-bearing castor, as specified. (2.) A plate that is provided with a male screw, and having a hole through its centre, and a perfectly plane surface upon its underneath side, in combination with a pin upon a furniture-leg and a truncated cup, into which the plate threads, containing a castor ball and a number of smaller balls, substantially as specified and for the purpose set forth. (3.) In a ball-bearing castor, in combination, a truncated cup containing a castor ball and balls of the bearing, an internal thread and a shoulder as d, a plate having a plane surface upon its underneath side, said plate having means for attaching it to furniture or other movable objects, and a male screw upon the plate threading with the cup, substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.
(Specification, 3s. 3d.; drawing, 1s.)

No. 15925.—30th January, 1903.—FREDERICK AUGUSTUS BRAND, of Benicia, Solano, California, United States of America, Vice-President of the Benicia Agricultural Works. Improvements in disc ploughs.

Claims.—(1.) A plough in which one or more concavo-convex discs are turnably pivoted to a central frame section, with a bearing-wheel on the side opposite to the ploughs, front and rear frame sections turnably pivoted to the central section and each having wheels inclined to brace against the plough-discs, and independently adjustable to serve as a land-gauge, substantially as described. (2.) A plough consisting of three frame sections pivoted together in line, the front and rear sections having inclined and adjustable land-gauge wheels, and the central section formed of independent bars with intermediate spacing and connecting blocks, and having concavo-convex discs journalled upon each section, with means for independently adjusting them, and cleaning-scrapers projecting into their concavities, substantially as described. (3.) A plough consisting of three frame sections pivoted in line to turn horizontally with relation to each other, the front section having an elastic vertical movement to compensate for irregular movements of the team, and having a front gauge-wheel journalled upon it, with means by which said wheel may be independently adjusted both vertically and horizontally, multiple detachable bars and spacing-blocks forming the intermediate section, with concavo-convex discs turnably and adjustably pivoted thereto, and a horizontally turnable wheel journalled upon the rear frame section, substantially as described. (4.) A plough in which three frame sections are pivoted together in line, having adjustable bearing and gauge wheels journalled upon the sections, and concavo-convex disc ploughs journalled upon the central section, said discs having outwardly projecting central cones fitting corresponding concavities in supporting-discs, with bolts having heads fitting the interior of the cones and flush with the concave disc-surface, and having the outer ends removably fixed to the supporting frame, substantially as described.
(Specification, 8s.; drawing, 1s.)

No. 16363.—18th May, 1903.—WILLIAM BEAUMONT, of Wanganui, Wellington, New Zealand, Plumber. A combined strainer and aerator for the straining and aerating of milk.*

Claim.—A strainer and aerator for milk comprising, in combination, two superposed vessels, each having the shape of a truncated cone and perforations around its lower perimeter, a vertical partition and false bottom in the upper vessel, and a foraminated strainer in said partition, with means for supporting one vessel above the other, substantially as specified and illustrated.
(Specification, 1s. 9d.; drawing, 1s.)

No. 16678.—24th July, 1903.—WILLIAM ERNEST HUGHES, of Queen’s Chambers, Wellington, New Zealand, Patent Agent (nominee of TOM SETTLE and WILLIAM ALBERT PADFIELD, of Exeter, Devon, England). Improved mode of and apparatus for manufacturing coal-gas.*

Claims.—(1.) In the manufacture of illuminating-gas from coal, the mode of carbonising coal in vertical retorts as shown and described, and consisting in building up gradually, by introducing the coal into the top of the retort in small quantities at regular short intervals, a mass of incandescent material having a continuous layer of coal in the process of carbonisation on the top, so that the gas is driven off from the fresh coal without coming in contact with or passing through the built-up mass of red-hot coke already in the retort, whereby from a given sample of coal a greater volume of gas of higher candle-power, together with a better quality of coke, is produced. (2.) In the manufacture of illuminating-gas from coal, the mode of carbonising coal in vertical retorts consisting in introducing coal into the retort in such a manner that the coal will fall towards the walls of the retort, thus building up a mass of incandescent material with a cup-shaped layer of uncarbonised coal at the top, as and for the purpose set forth. (3.) In the manufacture of illuminating-gas from coal, the mode of supplying coal to be carbonised into vertical retorts, and consisting in spreading the limited discharge of the coal from the measuring-device of a hopper, and causing it to fall towards the walls of the retort, producing a cup-shaped layer of uncarbonised coal on the top of the gradually-increasing mass of incandescent material, as and for the purpose set forth. (4.) In the manufacture of illuminating-gas from coal as claimed in claim 1, the use of a retort of the character shown and described, that is to say, having a vertical portion of about one-half the length of the retort with a slight taper downwards, an inclined portion of about one-fourth the length of the retort, and a curved portion connecting the inclined and vertical portions, as set