MISCELLANEOUS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, 8 April 1843, Page 227

MISCELLANEOUS.

Machine for Making Bricks and Tiles. — Avery ingenious machine, constructed by Mr. Ainslie, is now on view at the pin-manufactory in the Borough-road. A very short description of the objects and operation of this invention will show its value to manufacturers of tiles or bricks, and more especially to those persons who are.engaged in draining lands. The clay is thrown in on the top of two circular cylinders, which are placed perpendicularly at a distance of about a quarter of an inch from each other, and the clay is thus ground between them and falls into a receiver below, crushing to atoms all stones or other impurities, so that even bad material can be used. The clay is then propelled forvard against the iron plate on which are cut the apertures through which the tiles, bricks, &c, to be manufactured are forced. The material moves forward on a sheet of felt, and a wire cuts each tile or brick as it moves forward into equal lengths. The clay comes through the iron plate in three supplies at once, and it is calculated that on anaverage 30 tiles of the most perfect form are made in one minute under ordinary circumstances, but much more may be done ; bricks about the same, flat tiles double the number. The great advantages in this process are that the articles made come from the machine in perfect form and ready for the kiln ; and, being thus perfected by machinery, the backs of the curved drainage tiles are stronger than those made by any other process. Here the substance must be of one thickness, and the shape uniform and smooth in all respects. The cost of making 3,000 drain tiles a day, by hand, is calculated at £1 os. 6d., or of 1,000 at 6s. lOd. The cost of manufacturing 10,000 of the same article in a day by the machine is 14s. 6d. The Wardenship of the Cinque Ports. — It is reported in the neighbourhood of Walmer that, as the Queen desires a retired residence on the Kentish coast, the Duke of Wellington purposes to resign his office as Lord Warden of. the Cinque Ports, which will then be offered to, and accepted by, Prince Albert. In this case Walmer Castle will be fitted up as a royal residence, and her Majesty will probably reside there for some weeks or months in the course of the year. Musical Composition of the Duchess of % Kent. — Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent has composed a pas redouble to celebrate the first anniversary of the birth of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, which was performed for the first time on Wednesday evening by the fine band of the Grenadier Guards. — Herald. Great War Steamer. — The Lords Commssioners of the Admiralty have adopted the design of a magnificent war steam-vessel, wiflfi propelling engines of 800 horse power, submitted by Mr. O. Lang, master shipwright of the Woolwich dockyard, and have ordered that she is to be constructed at this dockyard under the immediate personal superintendence of that gentleman. The dimensions are as follow : — Length between the perpendicular, 225 feet; length of keel for tonnage, 196 feet 10* inches ; breadth, extreme, 42 feet ; depth in hold, 27 feet ; burden in tons", 1,847. To convey an idea of the great size of the war-steamer about to be built here, it may be mentioned that she will excegd-ilwJCtafalgar by 20 feet 6 inches in \gugtirttfme decks, and by 26 feet 5 inches in tEef length of the keel, for tonnage. The depth in hold will also exceed that of the Trafalgar by 3 feet 10 inches. A Savage Defence. — A man was entering Lyons a short time since, when something in his appearance excited the suspicions of the revenue officers. He was seized and taken before the receiver. The moment he found himself before the chief officer he drew out a bladder full of spirits of wine, and threw it, before he could be prevented, into the red-hot stove. In a moment the flame flew over the tables, registers, and papers, and some difficulty was experienced in extinguishing it. He was about to make the same use of a second bladder, when the officers rushed on him and seized it. He was secured, but not before he had made desperate efforts to escape amid the confusion he had caused. ' America Outdone. — The Government print of Calabria relates the following almost incredible event as having occurred about three weeks ago : — A violent whirlwind tore up a number of trees, and raised into the air to a considerable height a waggon with its two oxen, which fell at a great distance from the spot from which it had been taken, without injury being done to either vehicle or cattle ! Us* of^the Walnut Tree. — Walnuts yield half their own weight in oil, whose flavour is considered equal to that of the first Lucca oil. This very fruitful tree, which we see flourishing along the high road, and in the orchards of peasant*, is one of great utility to the German ; tiis furniture is made of it, the leaves dye a good black, and he feeds hia cattle with the sheila that hare sbippiU his oil. — Germany and the German*. . . . 5- 4 ' ' "