NEW APPLIANCES FOR WIRE FENCES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1886, 7 August 1884, Page 2

NEW APPLIANCES FOR WIRE FENCES.

* Mr James Lees has invented a very clexerand simple contrivance for wiie straining. Every invention that is of any value aims at simplicity or simplification of the modes in use for performing any particular work, and Mr Lees has achieved a great advance on all known methods of wire strainiug. The method is simple, and being simple, is cheap. The appliance consists of what is termed a gripper, to which is attached a chain. The wire to be strained is placed in the gripper, which holds it firm and secure, and the chain attached to the gripper is then drawn through a ring in a bracket attached to the straioing-post. An 'iron lever is used to stretch the wire, and a pin (which can also be used as a chisel and twister) keeps the wire in position while it is stapled. The straining posts do not require to be broad, and the saving in this respect is 3aid to be equal to ten or fifteen shillings per mile. We have frequently had occasion to recognise Mr Lees' ingenionsness, but we do not think that in anything he has previously designed has he brought out a simpler or more effective appliance for the work intended than the wire-strainer under notice. The same gentleman has also patented an invention for fastening wires to iron standards. This applies more prticularly to barbed wue, which there has heretofore been some difficulty in properly securing to iron standards, owning to the obstacle that stands in the way of drawing a barbed wire through the ordinary-sized hole in an iron standard. This also is a Very simple contrivance, ao simple that the wonder is that it hai never been brought into use before. A dove-tailed slot is cut out of the edge of the iron standard, and the wire is plaoed in this and held Id position by a small oval steel wedge. The wedge is driven in with a hammer, and can be driven out again by the same agency, but the wire" cannot be removed >■ from the standard by any' other means. In the caiei'of long intervals between each, standard, an, upright .wooden, bgtten with iroF 1 * catches ~- to : hoia; 7 ' the wire ' in , position is, "used instead, of lacing with ; " :' -