A CLEVER INVENTION

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14136, 16 February 1910, Page 7

A CLEVER INVENTION

BY NEW PLYMOUTH RESIDENTS. An invention by two residents of New Plymouth—Messrs. G. Metcalf, and J. Riddles—promises to play an important part in tho manufacture of. tyros for motor ears and bicycles. Tho inventors claimed to have manufactured a material which defies nails and even broken glass, and to have made with it a non-puncturablo tyre. Mr. Metcalf has just returned from a business visit to Christchurch where ho succeeded in forming in two hours a company to take over tho patent. Tho company has a capital of £3OOO, which is made up of £lO shares. It is remarkable to think that a company was formed in such a remarkable time. Seeing, however, is believing. A man weighing 17st. 101 b. convinced tho prospective shareholders of the merit of the patent by riding a bicycle over piles of broken glass and across a number of nails and tacks driven into' a board. Tho rubber was torn off tho tyres_. but the, sharp edges wore unable to penetrate the material protecting tho inner tube. Tests with motor cars proved just as successful ns those'with tho bicycle. A message has already been received in Now Plymouth confirming tho sale of ono £lO share [or £3O. Air. Riddles is a well-known tradesmen in New Plymouth, whilst Mr. Metcalf is well known in musical circles. Air. Mctcnlf has not been in the dominion very long. He came out here from Yorkshire about 18 months ago.