IMPORTANT INTENTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 111, 12 May 1902, Page 3

IMPORTANT INTENTIONS.

On, Saturday afternoon a party left by the Ferry Company's steamer for Rangitoto to witness a practical demonstration of the Trotter rangefinder. Amongst those present were tbe officers of H.M.s. Ringarooma, Capt. Rich, Lieut. Marshall and Mr Revitt, chief gunner, Messrs T. Peacook, J. H. Witheford, M.H.R., R. Hellaby, R. Warnoek (Mayor of Grey Lynn), Gregory, B. Osmond, Major Pirie, and several other well-known volunteer officers and citizens. The test was carried out under the supervision of Captain Rich. Empty boxes were dropped in tbe harbour at unknown distances, and Mr C. A. Trotter, placing his range-finder in position, got the range very quickly, and both be and Mr Revitt, chief gunner of H.M.S. Ringarooma, fired at the targets with splendid results (the ranges varied from 600 to 1300 yards), Mr Trotter fully demonstrating the efficiency of his instrument, both on land and sea. It impressed all that it was a most important invention, both _or the army and navy, having overcome one of the principal obstacles in field firing. Tbe instrument, which is based on geometrical lines, and w.orks automatically, is fixed on the ordinary rifle, and it is not necessary for the manipulator to expose himself to get the range of his enemy or object. The inventor stated that the present instrument bad been in constant use for the past nine months without showing any signs of wear. He intends forming a syndicate to enable him. to go to London and place the invention before tbe War Office.