AMERICAN PATENTED NOVELTIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4219, 28 September 1874, Page 3

AMERICAN PATENTED NOVELTIES.

A gentleman formerly in business in Melbourne, Mr. Macarthy, of the Patent Safe Works, Russell Street, and who is now returning to that City after a protracted visit to Japan and California, has been in Wellington for the last few days. He has brought with him a variety of new ideas in mechanical contrivances that have been patented in America, and which it is his intention to introduce into Victoria. These are some six or seven in number, and we may briefly describe them : 1. A new description of kerosene stove, of the simplest possible character. To it a small receiver is ■ attached, into which a small quantity of the first product of kerosene shale or petroleum on distillation is poured. This material is non-explosive, and is very cheap—fetching not more than a shilling a gallon at the kerosene works in New South Wales and in America. It is easily used. From the receiver down a common gas pipe, of iron, the oil passes by its own weight into the bottom of the stove, in quantities just adapted to the wants of the cook. It is turned on and off just as gas is, and ignites and is used in the same way. Water is boiled, and the usual cooking may be done, with no offensive smell or refuse from the oil, and so expeditiously that the cost of the material used does not exceed one half-penny per hour; while that of heating water £°!' an ordinary bath would not be more than threepence or fourpence. Tins stove can be so readily fitted up, and the fire so freely dealt with, that Mr. Macarthy anticipates that it will take the place of the more expensive class of stoves, and of the common Colonial oven now so much in use in Australia. These gas stoves can be made of any size, on the patent principle involved in their construction, and varieties of patterns may be used to make them ornamental a 3 well as useful. 2. A filter of the simplest possible construction. In Bize it is not larger than the handle of a door; it is attached to the water-pipe, from which in the morning a servant can unscrew it in a moment or two, reverse and screw it on again, and then having drawn two or three jugs of water it is at once fit for use. These filters will not wear out for many years, and are inexpensive. What the secret in their construction is, of course we have not been told. It is obvious, however, that they will be very useful ia any household in purifying the water required for domestic purposes. 3. A chimney-top, constructed of metal, which is warranted to cure that great domestic nuisance, a smoky chimney. It is an indescribable article, but may be made of an ornamental character. Its operation is ingenious. Of course the proprietor of this notion carries with him only a model made in copper; but it is large enough to show the whole features of the invention, and to be perfectly understandable by mechanics and others. 4. A patent-safety cash-box, so contrived that it appears to be morally impossible for anyone not in possession of the secret to open it. Cash-boxes of a somewhat similar make have found their way occasionally to the Colonies, but have not as yet come into general use. This sample posses»es new features, which make its working simple, while its efficiency is not lessened, but the contrary. _ 5. A new safety lock for iron safes. This is a business with which Mr. Macarthy has been acquainted for years, and he claims for the invention, a sample of which he exhibits, that it ia capable of endless modifications—as infinitely variable as those of tho notes of music. He intends to use it practically in tho business of patent-safe manufacture in Victoria a 3 one of the distinguishing characteristics of the work he will turn out. 6. A powder for use in common kerosene lamps. A tea-spoonful placed in a lamp once in three months is said to neutralise tho explosive character of any oil that may be used, and to prevent the breaking of chimney glasses from such a cause. This composition is made up in boxes, and sold at a very cheap rate. Experience in America would seem to have proved the usefulness of this powder, and certainly the chimneys of kerosene lamps are brittle things. If these novelties—and some others he possesses—are of any interest to mechanics and others in Wellington, Mr. Macarthy will no doubt show them .to any who may call upon him at the New Zoalander Hotel within the next day or two. He leaves for Melbourne almost immediately.