A NEW “STUMPER.”

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1805, 4 December 1879, Page 2

A NEW “STUMPER.”

The reporter of the “ Manawatu Times” accepted an invitation from Mr James Linton, of Terrace End, to witness the operations of a piece of machinery which ho has invented for stumping bush land. The apparatus is worthy of the highest praise on account of its three principal features—first, the thorough effectiveness with which it performs the work assigned it; secondly, the simplicity of the contrivance and absence of all danger ; and thirdly, the insignificance of cost in comparison with the benefit derived. When our reporter arrived on the ground the “ stumper” was in the hands of two men who have taken a contract for clearing some land, and in order to test its power it was hooked on to the very largest trees to be found, varying from two to three feet in diameter, and in the space of forty minutes, timed by a watch, fourteen of the branchless veterans were torn from mother earth. So groat was the power employed that not only were the massive trunks dislodged, but the earth with roots running for yards around were torn from their sockets. The lever with which this was executed was a double union screw made to the order of Mr Linton, with other gear attached also made to the owner’s order, but so simple in its mode of operation that the work could be done by one man. Our reporter questioned the men who had taken the contract, and was assured by the two that they had done more work since that morning with the “ stumper” than otherwise thirty men could have done. The invention is one which we have no doubt in asserting will work a thorough revolution in the work of clearing land, and its aid in a bush country will bo simply invaluable, as by the outlay of about a dozen pounds hundreds could be saved in a year. As a proof of the immense advantage given by the use of the “stumper,” we may state that the contract alluded to had been taken for £25, on condition of receiving a loan of the apparatus, whereas without it it would have been considerably over £IOO. Already Mr Linton has had numerous offers for the hire of the “ stumper” by struggling settlers who have been witnesses of its wonderful labour-saving efficiency. We understand that it is the intention of the inventor to have the instrument patented, and certainly patents have been issued for inventions which could not claim one-tenth of the merit of Mr Linton’s simple but most effective contrivance. We feel convinced that when settlers become aware of the very valuable aid for clearing their land—the work being performed efficiently and at a more nominal cost, when compared to the present expensive and tedious operation—which will be at their command at a minimum cost, the " stumper” will create a revolution in the clearing of land, and its clever inventor receive the praise and profit which he has so fairly won.