AN INGENIOUS INVENTION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2226, 6 May 1880, Page 3

AN INGENIOUS INVENTION.

Clever Mr Maskelyne, Iho worldrenowned wizard, of the Egyptian Hall, London, has invented an apparatus for checking the fares paid by passengers in omnibuses and tram-cars. It may be briefly described as follows: The machine consists of a disc about 12 inches in diameter*, which is made to rotate by clockwork, and a ticket receptacle, divided into a number of compartments, corresponding to the number of stages or the particular journey. Before each journey is taken a sheet of paper is placed upon the disc upon which is printed three concentric circles and radial lines, indicating minutes, and the box is charged with tickets, Upon each ticket is printed the stage from which it is issued, also the fares to the end of the journey. The conductor cannot get at the tickets until he moves the first compartment of the ticket box, opposite an aperture through which they are withdrawn, and each movement of the box causes a lever to press upon the disc and perforate the paper in the centre circle, indicating the exact time at which such movement was made. By means of a very simple mechanical arrangement of the steps, every person entering the vehicle causes a second lever to perforate the disc in the outer circle, and upon leaving the vehicle a third lever perforates the dire in the inner circle thus registering the exact time at which a passenger entered or left the vehicle. The number of tickets issued must correspond with the number of perforations, and at the end of the journey an inspector can readily ascertain the amount of money the conductor has recived. The apparatus is simple, durable, and inexpensive. With it a journey may be devided into any number of stages, and any amount of fare may be charged over any portion of the journey, and it most effectually protects both the public and the proprietors against fraud.