AN INGENIOUS INVENTION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1611, 30 November 1912, Page 14

AN INGENIOUS INVENTION.

Some time ago Captain Hennah, officer in charge of the Government Buildings, Wellington, tnd Mr. A. K. W. Rissel, of the Government- electrical staff, patented a very ingenious apparatus for recording and indicating a ship's deviation from its course. . Sir Ernest Shackleton, when passing through Wellington on his' return from the Aitarctic regions,. was very interested in the invention, and it was understood he- would assist its progress in England. Mr. Rissel, one of the inventors, subsequently -left for England, and a model of the machinc was made by one of the leading firms of instrumentmakers in London. The machine was exhibited at several, exhibitions, and received favourable notice from the Board of Trade. Unfortunately, however, the promoters were unsuccessful in getting tho machine taken up in London'. Since then considerable, interest has bean tiiken m the invention in Chicago, and news has been received by the secretary of the company in Wellington, to the effect that a company is being formed in Chicago, with a substantial capital for the purpose of exploiting the machine in the United States, the' New Zealand Company to be alloted a controlling interest in paid-up shares in the American Company. The invention is in good hands, and the. directors in New Zealand look 'forward with considerable interest,, to pending developments. The invention is a valuable one bo mariners, and in particular to the travelling public, as the object.it has in view is the prevention of!maritime disasters.