TRIAL OF A NEW FIRE ESCAPE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 13

TRIAL OF A NEW FIRE ESCAPE.

An exhibition of a new fire escape, invented by Mr C B Smith, was ghen in the Garrison Hall on Monday afternoon in tl~a pietence of about a dozen gentlemen, including Captain Mitchell, of the Fir Brigade. The invention consists of a brass tube, through which a double line of rope passes. The rope is made fast to the interior of any elevated window, and a person desiring to descend simply seizes hold of two handles attached to the tube, and, stepping off the window ledge, is carried U tho ground by his own weight. An ingenious mechanism inside the tube regulates the speed, and this can be further checked if necessary by. the bystanders in the street. In this respect the invention is claimed to bo perfect, the inventor holding that the descent can be adjusted to such a nicety that a person may be landed on a piece of glass without breaking it. Several descents were made yesterday afternoon, including some by two lads 10 and 11 years of age, and satisfaction was expressed as to the effectiveness of the imention by those who had assembled to witness the trial*. -Mr Smith is willing to give exhibitions of the cscap from any height if hotelkeepers or anyone else interested would communicate witn him. It is scarcely necessary to point out the usefulness of a simple fire escape, especially now. when the city is likely to be visited by considerable Crowds, and, as this invention, besides being simple and effective, lias the merit of being inexpensive, it is one that should be inquired into by the proprietors of establishments where visitors will be staying during the period of the royal visit.

The Western Australian authorities ha\e decided that all" ships arriving at the perls of the State shall be inspected, whether they have medical officers on board or not.