INVISIBLE RAY GUARD

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1929, Page 2

INVISIBLE RAY GUARD

£500,000 OF OLD SILVER

HOUSE WIRELESS WARNING

LONDON, May 17

The finest collection ol' privately owned silver plate ever got together under one roof is now being arranged ill the great ballroom ami drawing room at Sea ford House, JJelgrnve Square, S.W., the residence of Lord and Ladv Howard de Walden.

A da’i./.ling beautiful exhibition, it has been organised in aid of Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital, Maiylebone Road, N.W., and will be opened on Wednesday, May 1, by the Duchess of York.

Tin: total value of the exhibits, which number 70!), is estimated to be Vj-fIDDjCOO. E!xtra)ordi,nary precautions have been taken to ensure their salety.

THE WIRELESS RAY. The nrincipal protection is aflorded by the use of a wireless ray installation. The ray passes immediately in front of the exhibits, which will be displayed tier on tier, and the smallest object that “cuts” it will jbreak an electrical circuit and set a host of oells ringing violently. The installation will be controlled .from a ceniral switchboard, at- which in expert p.'.ator will bo stationed day and night. Should an admiring visitor in his enthusiasm eon sj m.icli as point with his linger at one of the pieces of plate, me bells will till the mansion

with their warning. The rav is also being used aS a protoclion against burglars. It passes over all windows, shutters, and doors in and around the ballroom and draw-ing-room, and the merest movement of any of them would break the unseen cordon.

SENSITIVE FIRE ALARAI

There has been installed, furthernmru. a remarkably sensitive system of, ala nils, which even the smallest puff of smoke or burst of flame will set iu action.

Both the ray installation and the fire-warning system were tested yesterday and found perfect, 'file lighting of a cigarette made the alarm bells ring out at once. In addition to these safety devices. ’•dacGves arc on guard every moment of the day and night.

“To sve determined to do eveiytliing humanly possible to protect this great collection of treasures.” Mr Dig by C. H. d'Aig’or, honornm secretary of the exhibition, said to a “Daily Mail” reporter yesterday. “Nothing nearly so magnificent has ever been shown to the public before. The earliest piece dates back to 1480, and there is nothing among the antique pieces which is later than 1730 —the year iu which Queen Charlotte’s Hospital was founded. THE QUEENS EXHIBITS. The piece dated 1480 is the pomander and.chain worn by Mary Queen o f Scots when she went to her execution. It has been lent by Mrs CriclitonMaitland. The Queen, who is patron of Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, has lent a cup, i hoi, and a casket of o exquisite! beautiful design, all of which will !>-• seen iu the modern section of the exhibition.