The Sun.
London, England, 1869-08-07 00:00:00

A STONE-DRESSING MACHINE'.

A new system of stone-dressing is being used on the
Thames Embankment. The machine used, which is an
American invention, consists of a simple arrangement by
which a block of atone can be made to travel beneath a
transverse bar, carrying either a series of chisels or a
single knife. To this bar a kind of oscillatory motion is
imparted by a crank axle, so that the action of a work-
man's hand and mallet is very exactly imitated, but with
a speed and force that no workman can attain. Certain
varieties of granite that have hitherto had no market
value, on account of their extreme hardness, the cost of
dressing having exceeded the worth of the material, can
be worked by the machine with the utmost facility. The
ordinary process is first to subject the rough stone to the
action of a row of chisels, separated by interspaces, so that
the surface is grooved, and then to replace the chisels
by a continuous blade, that reduces the grooved surface to
ene that is uniformly level. Two blocks of Portland
stone were exhibited, measuring about Gft. in length by2lin.
in width and 14in. in depth. One of these blocks had been
dressed by hand by a skilful workman, who completed his
task in fifteen hours and a half. The other was dressed
by the machine, in the presence of visitors, in two hours
-July, and the machine-dressing was certainly superior in
finish to that done by hand, with the single exception that
an accidental notch in the blade displayed itself as a con-
tinuous ridge on one of the surfaces. The inventor con-
siders that one-horse power should be used for each foot
in width of the surface acted upon ; and, of the machines
exhibited on Friday, one was worked by steam and one
by hand. The latter could be turned easily by a single
man. Some of the softer varieties were inclined to flake
under the chisels, and the large pieces that broke away
left gaps too deed for the continuous blade to level.
Difficulties of this sort will, however, probably be over-
come.

BENJAMIN HIGGSINTHE BANKRUPTCY

COURT.

The case of Benjamin Ilig,gs was again before the
Bankruptcy Court on Friday. It was a sitting for last exam-
ination and discharge, but the bankrupt being absent,
there was, of course, no one either to examine or discharge.
Mr. Eley, for the assignees, mentioned how the matter
Mood, and as the bankrupt had absconded, he supposed
that he would be proclaimed in the usual way.
Mr. Bannister said that he represented the Great
Central Gas Company, which the bankrupt had defrauded
to such an enormous extent, and he desired his friend Mr.
Eley to give him the assurance that active exertions were
being made to apprehend the bankrupt. lie believed
that if proper efforts were used he might be brought to
justice.

Mr. Eley objected to being questioned. lie did not
admit that Mr. Bannister bad any locus st«ndi, as he did
not represent a creditor who had proved.

His Honour said that there was a claim upon the pro
ceedings.

Mr. Eley : I do not mind stating that the assignees
have not yet received any information as to the bank-
rupt's whereabouts.

Mr. Bannister : I should be glad to know that the
machinery of the court is being employed for the appre-
hension of the bankrupt. •

Mr. Commissioner Holroyd : I have no doubt that the
assignees will do their duty. In the meantime the sitting
will be adjourned sine die, and as the bankrupt has failed
to surrender he will be proclaimed at the rising of the
court.