TRIAL OF McLAUGHLIN'S PATENT TI-TREE CUTTER AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1840, 22 April 1884, Page 2

TRIAL OF McLAUGHLINS PATENT TI-TREE CUTTER AT CAMBRIDGE.

Ox Siturday last a Luge number of settler^, abiuit 109, assembled in one of the paddocks of the Auckland Agricultural Company adjoining the Victoria,! Nad, in response t'> an invitation of Mr Geoffrey Maclean, to witness a tiial and lest the capabilities of one of Mr McLau^hlm's (Papitoitoi) lately invented ti-tree cutter. The tediou-> and expensive work of clvaiing ti-tree land in Waikato has always bjen a greit diaw hick to the opening up of new c nmtry, and the cultivation of land already taken up, and bottler-, have anxiously looked forward to the introduction of so-iu inexpensive and expeditious mean* of disposing of this tmrier. We think that all who witnessed the tiial on Saturday last will agieo that Mi Mclaughlin has been successful in his efforts to provide our pioneers with a cheap and successful means of disposing of ti-tiee bcrub. Mr Maclean, having been satisfied in his own mind of the utility of the new idea, determined that his fellow settlers should have the advantage of a public trial, and judge for themselves accordingly, and with this ob ject the capabilities of the patent were exhibited on Saturday la>t. The machine is of a very simple and dm able chaiacter. A wrought iron disc 4ft. 3in. in diameter, to which is attached two nine-inch blade knives, is suspended by an iron shaft from the back of the frame, and this receives its motive power from the caniage wheels. With the oidinary walking pace of the horses the velocity of the disc is very great, the kni\es only advaucing half an inch to each revolution. The disc can be lowered or laised at will according to the nature of the countiy. The draught is comparatively very light, considering the class of work. It is intended for three horses, but two pioved sufficient at Saturday's trial. The ti lal was made in three different classes of growth—light fern, light titreo, and heavy titree from about lft. to 7ft. high, and from one to three inches thick. The tifcree was in places mixed with thick tufts of flax, which, though it fell before the cutter, generally chocked it up, requiring the machine to be thrown out of gear. Here again another feature manifests itself, for unlike other machines, such as mowers, &c, the ti-tree cutter does not require to be backed out when it sticks, but by throwing it out of gear and moving it a little forward it is again ready for work. The cutter would be found to work well in heavy fern and rush country; indeed, it was generally thought by those present on Saturday that it was more adopted for this class of work than heavy and thick ti-tree patches, for which a side-cutter has been specially invented by the same maker. Again, the very compact and staunch build of the machine enables it to be taken over broken country where a mower would not be of any material service. All who witnessed its opeiations on Saturday, many of whom had come long distances to be _ present, expressed themselves highly satisfied with the capabilities of the patent; indeed, we understand that several gentlemen have already given orders for them. The price is £35, put on the train at Auckland, and it is estimated by several gentlemen who have seen it working that, with two months good work, the machine would earn its own cost. No doubt time and use will add many improvements to Mr McLaughlins patent, but with what that gentleman has already effected he may be assured that he has provided settlers with a cheap and effectual means ot clearing their land. At the close of the trial on Satirdiy Mr Geoff ley Maclean was ac corded a hearty vote of thanks by those present for the pains he had taken in bringing so forcibly under their notice a machine of such usefulness, ,

Mr John Knoi, will hold, on Saturday next, at 2 p.m. a clearing- sale of drapery, boots,' and shoes, and miscellaneous goods; " ' ' ' ~ The Te Awamutu poundks;per has a notice in another column. . , v' - „,'>> J^leSsrs' Grice'and. Parkeriadvertjse a filly fun^ '■king 6n the'Rotbranjji estate.<*'*". " ' "'-> l , }\ An election notice m connection with' RaogU