MECCANO COMPETITION.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13595, 9 October 1914, Page 7

MECCANO COMPETITION.

There aro on exhibition in one of tho show windows of the AVilkins and Field Hardware Company's establishment the priae-winning and other models entered for the recent Meccano competition. Three prizes were allotted by tho jMecanno proprietary to the Nelson district, and after a lapse of about two months 13 youthful competitors .•ent in modeta to the Wilkins and Field Company, who are the district agents for the miniature structural parts which provide so much scope for the ingenuity of mechanically inclined youths. ;At tli©-request of tho agents, the entries were judged by Messrs F. C. J. Cockburn and A. G. Thompson, of ther Nelson i Technical SchooL The ■succesful competitors are as follows: — First s prize (Zeppelin), N. McLaren, 12 years, Collingwood street, Nelson. Second prize (windmill, ■ with tank on stand), A. Shallcrass, 15 years, 18 Wainui street. Nelson. '-'■-.; Third prize (biplane), Kenneth RixTrott, 13 years, Shelbourne street, Nelson. ' / . It is the intention of the AVilkms and Field Company to give pikes also to the competitors who were highly commended. Mr Thompson's report is as follows: —The, results obtained by the competition of Meccano original models are most, satisfactory, all the models (13 -in number) showing thought, care, ability, and ingenuity on-the. part of the competitors. The marks have been "awarded as follows: Originality 20, proportion; and design 20, "constructive ability 10; total, 50. The three' winners are very close to each other, the difference between each being half a mark. Tho first prize goes to the Zeppelin model, which scores chiefly on originality, as there is nothing suggestive, of its construction in the Meccano "model book. A few points are lost by defects in proportion and design, even after allowing for _ the brobable limited amount of material at the disposal of "the competitor. The weight of propelling machinery, car-

riago, etc., is all thrown in 'one position, in a manner which would prevent the gas bag from floating horizontally. A good amount of constructive ability is shown, anil a-'total of 41 marks ia awarded. The model obtaining second prize is the win din ill,, with a total of 435. A slight 'lack of originality ia apparent, as part suggesiions are given in the book of models. Tn proportion and design, however, this mc-cl-l i& preferable to iho Zeppelin, and ability is shown in the application of materials for constructive purposes. Tli© biplane takes third prize with 43 marks. Al though monoplanes are ■suggested in the model books, this model is totally different from them, and much ingenuity is shown in its construction. This competitor cannot claim quit© so much originality as the first prize winner, but the proportion arid design of his (or her) model is good (due allowances being made), and also the constructive ability. The 'Morris chair, battleship, swing, lift and roundabout are all to be highly commended, and they show in various portions of their construction clever thought and practical.execution. There is a slight lack of attention to essential details regarding proportion, stability, bracing, strutting, etc. 'It is pleasing to note that of'all tho models sent in there is not ono that could be considered a i>oor specimen. Especially is this so when ono remembers that the models emanated from the minds and hands of the young. In fact, all the competitors deseryo T>raise for the results they have obtained from this mechanical hobby. Competitive uork; it may perhaps bo well to mention that, notwithstanding that string is utilised in many places in the model book, due consideration should be given in competitive work as to whether struts, braces, etc., should bo of metal bars or string (struts or parts in compression should of course be metal). Whether "certain- bars should be placed flab or on edge in order to obtain the maximum rigidity is alsoanother point deserving of thought.