THE RIVAL REFRIGERATING MACHINES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8076, 11 January 1888, Page 3

THE RIVAL REFRIGERATING MACHINES.

THE PKJT3ENT POSITION OF AFFAIRS. OPeb United Pbess Association.) Napier, January 10. It appears that though judgment was given against Haslam in the recent action brought against Hall for alleged infringement of patents in connection with freezing machinery, it does not follow that that is the end of the matter. The following is the present position, as explained in a private letter i'rom Mr W. K. Tyaer to Mr Dobson, of this town :—" The action has been terminated in Hall's favour. The drying pipes have been pronounced an infringement of Haslain's patent if the patent were valid, but the judge has held that Haslam's patent is invalid as it is at present. Haslam first of all contemplated applying for permission to disclaim a certain portion of the patent which was invalid, being an arrangement of cylinders in the smaller machines,in which we are not interested; but eventually he withdrew the application his counsel had made on this point, and Hall got judgment. The decision as to the division of costs is now announced. I understand Haslam can now apply to the controller of the Office for leave to disclaim the invalid part of his v&teat. Tb.«n the question upon what terms permission may be granted will be considered. It may be subject to all infringers receiving a * whitewash ' up to that dale, or it may enable Haiilain to go .igainst them for infringement. It may give us leave to continue oar present boats with drying pipes. It is not very material, for, in order to meet a possible decision of this kind, Hall has been experimenting without auy drying pipes in the River Plate trade. Two cargoes have been delivered in splendid order, and the boats, the Heliade3 and the Hellines, both owned by Houston, of Liverpool, are going back again without any drying pipes. The consumption of coal is slightly more without them, but that is all—there is no more snow than is with them."