VALUABEE WANGANUI INVENTION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2617, 12 November 1915, Page 7

VALUABEE WANGANUI INVENTION

BULLET PftOTEOTOI?. TO SAVE . SOLDIERS' LIVES. A device that will safeguard the lives of our gallant lads who are- making the supremo sacrifice for King and country in t'ho present great struggle will bo welcomed by all i-Ibbbos. Such a device has recently been invented, aiid protected throiighoiit t'ho world by Messrs. Young and Collins, Ltd., Wanganui, and an abnormal demand has already sot iu i'or the very liecessary and useful article of equipment. The invontion takes t'lie form of a leather wallet, with coiritiartineilts "for money, letters, p'hoto- , graphs,_ Testament, and other cherished jiossessions, carried b.v a soldier. It contains two finely tempered steel plates which fit right over the vital organs, or if the doublo protectors are used, cover .both the heart and lungs. The contrivance has beeiv subjected to various bullet tests,' which have been highly satisfactory/ill some of which the plates ; were resistent to bullets projected from a service rifle at a point-blank range of. 300 yards. The steel plates can be removed wheii desired, and the wallet, which is attached to the braces, worn solely for the plirpbses mentioned, when liot actually in use in tho firing line. The shield l carries the endorsement and approval of many leading military arid iuwlical men, who -have testified to its manifold advantages a.s a life-saver and article of utility. Tho steel plates are adjusted to-the body in such a manner that any feeling of weight vanis'lics, as all who have worn tlio contrivance testify. The Wanganui Patriotic Committeo.very corinheiidably pres&nted the pro. 1 tectoi's gratis to each man leaving for the front, and their aotion has Deen oulogistically upon throughout the dominion. Largo numbers of the protectorS have already been forwarded t6 Glallipoli by anxious friends, aiid very.maiiy to Australia and England. The invention was recently fore the Australian Government, arid inany -of the leading authorities there as well as the Australian Press have spoken of it in tho highest teriris of praiso. Major Baker, of Adejaide,' who recently returned from Gallipoli, was tmlogistic in his opinion of its life-sav-ing possibilities, while tho Sinister of Defence—Senator Pearce —and many leading Federal Ministers who inspected it at I'arlialrient HouSe, Melbourne, were unaliihious in their opinion of its value to evory man soinn into action or at the front. At the present time troops in Flaiidets aro being equipped with steei helmets, steel breast-plates, and similar protectors, and Wio London papers are strongly advocating some protection for soldiers. Recently Sir Arthur Conan Dovle referred to tho old Ned Kelly arinour, and suggested the advisability of every soldier beine provided with a similar safeguard; In the latter connection it is well worthy of note that a lady in the Hangitikei district recently wrote to Messrs. Young and Collinß, Ltd., of Wanganui, requesting that they forward one of the Shields to Sir Ajthur, 'allowing what New Zealand was doing in tlio world's store of war inventions. .It is quite reasonable t<> assume that the Young, and Collins, Ltd., invention will receive world-wide recognition. As a present to the" soldier there is nothing more • suitable or acceptable apart froin its life-saving properties it comfortably holds, sudli a variety of gapers aiid money without being awkward or bulky. Messrs. George and Kersley, ■Tlio-'Economic, Lanibton Qiiay, have boen appointed Wellington ageiits, from whom ,tlioy Can be obtained at Bs. 6d., 10s. Cd., 12s: 6c1., 155., and 17s. 6d. for the single shield, and 18s., 225., 265., 315., and 365. per pair for tho doubles, or direct from .Young arid Collins,' Ltd., patentees, plus 6d. postage for thp single,' and Is. for tho combination protector. ; Mr. C. G. Young, of Messrs. Young and Collins, Ltd., W<v Jiganuj, has como to Wellington primarily in connection with t'ho firm's invention, and is staying at the New OccidentaLHotel, arid has with him a .samples of the invention, and some of the tests made.'. An illustration and, full particulars of the invention -frill bo .found on Page 2 of this issue.—(Published by Arrangement.)