A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 124, 12 February 1918, Page 11

A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY

GOOD NEWS TO MOTORISTS CHEMIST'S SOLUTION OF PETROL PROBLEM INTERVIEW WITH MR. ANDREW DOIG. New Zealand lias good reason to feel justly proud in tlie latest discovery of Mr. Andrew Doig, chemist, of Wanganui. This enterprising analyst lias concentrated for some considerable time on the problem of a petrol economiser, and has succeeded in giving to tile world a preparation which, in the hands of an influential company, has now been registered and protected the world ovei. Tilie many other inventions, Mr. Doit's discovery is a product' of war conditions. The cost of petrol (aside altogether from its threatened scarcity from time to time) has been such that ior years mechanics of all shades and grades have devoted themselves to the- task of thinking out new and improved principles, all with the idea of making.a gallon of petrol yield more mileage. - ' Mr. Doig has proved to the motoring public that to a great extent.we have all looked altogether nt the wrong end of things. At least he has demonstrated that what was wanted was not so much a different system of carburettionj but a system whereby every drop of spirit used would yield its full capacity of power with the carburettor at present in use. • '

The fact that under ordinary conditions combustion is not complete when a gallon of petrol is fired in an engine, opened up to Mr. Doig au opportunity for scientific, research. He determined to concentrate on the discovery of ways- and means whereby all waste would be eliminated and the combustion made so perfect as to use up every atom of- spirit and, as far as possible, leave not even the slightest trace of carbon on thei cylinders. This is exactly what Mr. Doic has accomplished, mid the wonderful to-Milts--which those who use his preparation experience is purely the nnturiii sequence which combustion, and the practical elimination of carbon deposit, would be expected to bring about. Tho ; result is twofold—motor spirit goes further, and the engine also runs more "sweetly." . '. ..'.•, It was during the holiday season that a'member of the staff of a leading New 'Zealand newspaper called 'ipon Mr. Doig in- Wangamii, aud learned of many of the tests and triumphs of this rouowned - petrol economiser colled "Novoko." There lying on the table before Mr. Doig was a bundle of original letters from all parts of New Zealand, each tolling of tests that had been carried out on motor vehicles from 33-h.p.' cycles to the larger motor buses and lorries. Every style and power of motor-car had apparently been tested, and all olikn tojd of'. one resultgreater petrol mileage and sweeter running engines. It was remarkable to r.ote how'many spoke of the difference i» pulling power of their engines on hills. The simile of. "getting there" with the speed of a. thoroughbred was the uatuia lreflection as oim listened (o the unanimous reports of

tho comparative condition of things with and without "Novoko." The improved way the engine "picks up" in .starting was a point mentioned by many correspondents.

The actual method of "administering" Novoko is simplicity itself. In proverbial chemists' language) tho "doso" is two tablespoonfuls (one ounce) to each gallon of benzine. When tho petrol tank of the car is about to lie filled, all one need do is to previously add four ounces to each four gallon tin of motor spirit. Once the car. is accustomed to tho new condition of things tho carburettor will run on a much "leaner" mixture, and it is necessary to cut clown tho jet as far as possible, and open up the air. This is where the saving is effected. Mr. Doig, in speaking of this point, gave the representative a few technical figures, which were certainly convincing. These, stated briefly, were- simply that an engine— like human beingsmust breathe air, or oxygen, and whereas 11,040 volumes of air are required for the complete combustion of one volume of ordinary petrol vapour, "Novoko" provided a spirit which would take a larger proportion of air. and so increase the power of the engine from the same amount of petrol. In some cases "Novoko" enabled the engine 'to "breathe" double the amount of air, and thus double the mileage covered from a given quantity of petrol.

The fact that "Novoko" is guaranteed as positively harmless in the very least decree to all metals, was a matter particularly stressed by Mr. Doig. Nothing had been left to chance, and by way of demonstrating his point even more convincingly Mr. Doit; exhibited a sealed bottle, containing motor spirit and "Novoko' J mixed iii proper proportions. In this bottle —which has now been sealed for tho best part of a year —were all sorts of coins, copper-plato and wire, steel and iron parts, etc., and tho slightest trace of corrosion or harmful effects was not noticeable on any one of them. Mr. Doig was particularly anxious that this should be made known to the public. (jHis company guarantees the preparation to be absolutely harmless to all metal?, and only lasting good can result from its use. "Novoko" even now, lie'said, was in great demand, and this was entirely the result of the fact that motorist's had discovered for themselves ' how miich their petrol bills could be reduced, and with what greater ease their engines ran, resulting, naturally, in more pleasure and pride in the running of one's car.

'Yα jS T ew Zealand motorists' the verdict' of Mr. Henry J. Ranger, of Christchhrch, of Chevrolet fanio, is of the utmost "signilicnnco. ■ Mr. Ranger, in his tests with "iNovoko," got np to 44 miles to the gallon- -'of petrol. It should be borne in mind that Mr. Ranger, up to the present, has guaranteed a fivc-seater Chevrolet to do 29 miles to the gallon of benzine before a purchaser need pay for his car. His record" with "Novoko" mixture shows a great improvement in tho mileage.

. Mr. Thornton, the enthusiastic partner of the Canterbury Motor .Company, Ltd., Christclutrch, tells of.his experience with an old car which bud been running for years and was badly in need of a. good overhaul' and priming up. This car. with "Novoko," showed nn increase of ten miles to the gallon.

This experience bas naturally made Mr. Thornton an enthusiastic salesman for "Novoko." "We recommend it. every time!" said he when interviewed by the pressman, who subsequently visited him in Christchurch. Far from being "up against it," motor garages everywhere are enthusinstic over Sir. Doig's discovery. It is hailed as the boon and blessing -which the trade has simply been waiting for, because it moans cheaper fuel cost and consequently tends to encourage the habit of motoring.

The experience of both Mr. Ranger nnd Mr. Thornton was that their mileage was increased by practically 50 per cent, with the addition of "Jtovoko." Mr. John M. Gibson, of Gibson and Paterson, Ltd., Wangamri and Patea, had the samo experience, his car having increased its mileage from 20 8-lOth miles to 30 6-10ths to the gallon, Plume benzine being used. Mr. T. H. Dattle, architect, Wanganui, improved bis mileage from 16 to 21—one-third increase. Mr. W. Draffin, the wellknown "Buick" agent, of "Wellington and Wanganui, testifies to getting from 80 to 40 per cent, more out of liis Buick with "Novoko." Mr. C. 11. Chavannes, the popular Ford enthusiast, of Wanganui, got 10 miles more out of his Ford car. Mr. Stanloy Morgan, one of the buyers for the New Zealand Farmers' Meat Packing and Bacon Co., Ltd., Wellington, actuallyproved his tests to mean a saving ot. from £2 10s. to £3 a week by using "Novoko"—this is "some" saving surely, and should speak loudly to those tvho are constantly using a motor-car. Mr. T. E. Jefcoate, the Wanganui buyer for the New Zealand Refrigerating Co., Ltd., increased his mileage from 17 to 24 miles, also found his engine pulled better and ran sweeter. Mr. Arthur H. Lees, buyer for Dalgety's, Ltd., got an extra 6 miles to Iho gallon out of his car—and some rough, hilly work is accomplished by him every day.

Of more than ordinary interest are the .results pioved by Mi , . C. Savage, motor mechanic, of Wangaimi. Tests, carried out with private caw. resulted ill increases as follow: —Buick. owned by Mr. J. Craig, Waiigaehu, increased from 20£ to 31J- miles with "Novoko"; Buick owned by Mr. J. H. M'Lean, Marton, increased from 24£ to 36.8 miles -;Fov<l car owned by himself showed air improvement of 10 miles—from 25| miles without "Novoko" to 35} miles with it; Studebaker owned by Mr. TV. Glasgow, Turakiua, increased from 16- to 22.6 miles; and a Buick belonging to Mr. G. Glen, of Makirikiri, increased its efficiency by 11} milps to the gallon, rising from 22J miles without "Novoko" to 34 miles with it.

Mr. J. Murray, the popular "Glaxo" general manager, of Palmerston North, states he gave, Mr. Doig's "Novoko" exhaustive tests, and proved that from GO per cent, to 75 per cent, increased running was given stationary engines, and 25 per rent, to 40 per cent, greater power in motor-cars, . 'In every instance he found the carburettor had to be readjusted to obtain the desired results, the petrol feed being reduced and tho air increased.

Mr. F. J. Nathan, of Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd., Wellington, increased his .mileage from 13.6 without "No■voko" to an average of 18 to 19 with "Novoko." His car was a 40 h.p. 6cylinder, Hudson. This test was car-

■ricd out in motoring on all sorts «& rough roads, in ml conoitious ei weai/iier. am iirni now uses "wovoko" regularly in their large motor wagons iu country districts. Well-known doctors and provisional uieu generally oonoborau; tuo hiatelueuis aucl teats olleaumg commercial men as to uio lu'eYiuJ ot 'JNovoKo," and many instances can be cited of truly marvellous results obtained by mowr-cyciists iu both solo and.side-car

Tho merits of "Novoko" for use in stationary engines are attested to by Mr. \\, Mason Jiayly (of JJett and Mayly's Motor (jarago, t'alniorstou Nurui), one of the prominent and popular motorists of tue Wellington province. Associated with Mr. Jayly was his foreman motor mechanic, Mr. Ernest A. Ulirbom. Tha test was carried out in .September last 'in- a:fair and impartial manner, absolutely, under, tho control of ourselves, withoutany interference or advice from anyone connected or interested in "Novoko"—these are Mr. Bayly's own words. The plane used was a 3 h.p. stationary benzine engine, coupled to a 2o to 40 dynamo connected up to a lighting set. ■ Tho engine was allowed to run till stopping point on a half-pint of Kahff motor spirit. A further half-pint >~t • 'No-voko"-treated motor spirit was them used, and the engine once more set agoiiig, with the teed and air leadjusted. livery condition was similar exactly in the two runs, arid the "Novoko" proved itself triumphant to the tune of an increase of just over 78 per cent, in running time, with exactly the same amount or fuel. On the above figures 1 gallon of plain benzino would run for 4 hours 32 seconds, while 1 gallon of "Novoko"-treated benzine would run for 7 hours 31 minutes 12 seconds. ■' It would therefore require 1 gallon 7 pints of plain benzino to run as long'as 1 gallon of "Novoko"-treated benzine. The cost of 1 ounce of "Novoko," sufficient to ■ treat a gallon of bonzine;is 2Jd.; 1 gallon 7 pints of benzino at Ss. 6d. per gallon costs 6s. 6Jd. Deduct from this the cost of 1 gallon of benzine at 3s. Cd., and 1 ounce of 'Novoko" at 2Jd., a total of 3s. *?}d., and we thus find.the farmer can save 2s. IOJd. per gallon on a milking machino engine. ' /.".'.■ ''''

This test lias brought about sac)).,a condition of things that to-day throughout the dairying districts of the ,"!6rth Island there is a phenomenal demand for "Novoko." It is used extensively on stationary engines for the cirivjuj; of milking machines. [[. What Mr. Doig's preparation willi mean to the motorists of New Zealand' it would be difficult indeed to compute. Already the line is having a brisk salt, j and arrangements are now being i~:adei to carry big quantities in stock locally l to supply the ..ever-increasing demand.-. Mr. Doig explained that this had- really been rather a.problem to his company. They were anxious to maio.iip as much stock as possible, but their factory had really never been ;-ble" to keep paco with the orders received-i— they were always behind in their .deliveries. This, however, would soon bo solved, and the motoring public could rely upon being able to regularly ..procure "Novoko" at.any country garngo —as it could, now. be procured at all the leading city garages—in" pint,'■ lialfgallon, and gallon tins.—(Published by arrangement.) ' " •