ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 36, 24 January 1852, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

The Lock Controveiisy. — An important incident regarding the celebrated " lock controversy" has taken place. For some time past it has been well known that Mr. Hobbs, an American exhibitor of locks, has upon more than one occasion hinted at the possibility of opening, without keys, those locks which had been considered as possessing the great desideratum of perfect security. In order to put the matter to a test, a number of gentlemen were invited to be present at 34, Great Georgestreet, Westminster, to meet Mr. Hobbs, for the purpose of affording him an opportunity of operating unop a lock which months since was placed on the door of one of the vaults of the State Paper Office. The lock having been examined, and found to be fairly looked. Mr.

Hobbs produced from his waist-coat pocket two or three small and simple-looking tools — a description of which, for obvious reasons, we forbear to give — and proceeded to work* Within twenty-live minutes from the time of commencing 1 , the bolt of the lock flew back, and the door was openedj It was then suggested by one of the gentlemen present that Mr. Hobbs should turn the bolt back again, and lock the door ; it being a " detector" lock, it was considered that he would be unable to accomplish this feat. In less than ten minutes, however, the door was again locked — no injury whatever was done to the interior of the lock — and no traces was to be seen of its having been picked. The lock in question bore the stamp of "Chubb's New Patent." We understand that a committee, consisting of Mr. John Rennie, Professor Cowper, and Dr. Black, has been appointed for the purpose of making arrangements for allowing Mr. Hobbs to try his skill upon the mysterious lock exhibited in Mr* Bramah's window — whoever can succeed in opening which will receive the sum of two hundred pounds. The lock is to be enclosed between two boards, sealed by the committee, and nothing but the hole for the key is to be exposed to view, and thirty minutes is to be the period allowed for opening it. The experiment is looked forward to with great interest by all persons connected with the trade* We may add, that Mr. Hobbs exhibits a lock, and offers a reward of two hundred pounds to any one person who can pick it, or form a false key which will open it, after examining the lock and key for any period they may please. Mr. Hobbs has been awarded the sum of £200 by the Committee, as the reward for opening the mysterious lock exhibited in Mr* Bramah's window.

Reaping by Machinery. — Mr. Mechi, of the Tiptree Farm, Essex, in a letter to the " Times" of August 12, states, that the American reaping machine, by M'Cormick, has been at work all day on his farm, cutting a heavy crop of wheat, very long in the straw, partially laid, and estimated at five quarters per acre, and that he has arrived at the following conclusions : — That it will act perfectly on level land, with a standing crop. That it will cut from ten to sixteen acres per day, according to circumstances. That the quantity cut depends more on the activity and strength of the man who has to remove it by rake from the board on which it falls. It is hard for a man to remove one acre and a quarter per hour. That open furrows and deep water furrows are much against the perfect action of the machine. That the paddle-wheels do not in any way beat out or injure the corn. That certain trifling modifications in its details will be required, where (as in my case) the straw is very long. That it will cut laid corn where it falls towards the machine. That where it falls from it, it is desirable to cut such portions by hand. That a proportionate number of hands to bind thecut corn will be required according to the crop." In conclusion, he feels a conviction that all our reaping will be done by horse or steam engines.

The Potato Blight. — We are sorry to learn, says the "Birmingham Gazette" of August 7, that the potato blight has appeared rather extensively in some fields in the parish of Harbone, near this town. The " Worcester Herald" of the 10th states thst the blight is becoming very frequant in that county, although as yet certainly far from general ; but adds, jon the authority of a correspondent in Oxfordshire, " that in that county the disease is becoming general." The " Staffordshire Advertiser" also says, " there is reason to suspect that the potato disease is not entirely eradicated. Potatoes gathered within the last day or two in this neighbourhood appear to be slightly affected . and we have heard of an instance in which the tops have emitted that offensive smell which accompanies the disease." The " Bristol Mirror" likewise states " that the blight has again made its appearance in different parts of Somersetshire. It has been discovered at Wells, Axbridge, Banwell, Chew Magna, and other places ; but as yet the disease has only reached the haulms, the tubers not being affected. The blight has come upon the potatoes only a month later than it did last year ; we therefore hope that all the early crops will be secured ; and we hear that many persons are already removing their crops, which are very abundant." All the accounts from Ireland mention the appearance of the potato blight; but nearly all of them add, that from the advanced state of the crop there is reason to hope that the injury will not be extensive.

Sir Gaspard Le Marchant. — His Excellency Sir Gaspard Le Marchant, late Governor of Newfoundland (rumoured future Governor of New Zealand), and Lady Le Marchant and suite, had arrived at Queenstown, per brig " Bryn-y-Mor," 16 days from St. John's, Newfoundland. His Excellency proceeded per " Sabrina" for Bristol, en route to London..