Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-05-01

wv sovere,gns and half-sovereigns can
be weighed here in a single day. The
weighMg-machine in question is the in
venuon OF MIR. Cotton, q former Cover
nor OF the Bank, and among scientific
men is regarded as n of the most
striking achievements of practical me-
chanics.
IN the bullion department we find
another weighing machine of a differ
emf character, but in its way equally,
remarkable. 1t is the first Of it's kind,
having been designed specially for
the bank by Mr.. James Murdoch Ma
per, by whom it has been patented.
1t IS used for the purpose of weigh
ing bullion, which is purchased in
TINS department. Gold is brought in
IN a r OF about eight inches long,
three wide, End one inch thick. A bar
OF gold OF these dimensions will weigh
about 2oO ounces, and is worth, if
pure, about $500. Each bar when
brought in is accompanied by a memo
randum of its weight. The question
of quality is determined by the pro-
cess OF assaying; the weight is checked
by means of the weighing machine we
have referred to. This takes the form
OF an extremely massive pair of scales,
working on a beamo of immense strength
and solidity, and is based, so as to be.
absolutely rigid, on a solid bed of con-
crete. The whole stands about six feet
high by three wide, and is inclosed in
az alright plate glass case, a sash
in which is raised when it is desired to
useythe machine. The two sides of the
scale are each kept permanently load
ed, the one with a single weight of $50
ounces, the other with a number of
weights OF various sizes to the same
mount. When it is desired to test the
weight OF a bar of gald, weights to the
amount stated in the corresponding
memorandum, less half an ounce, are
removed from the latter scale, and the;
bar of gold substituted in their place,
UP to this point the beam of the scale
is kept perfectly horizontal, being,
maintained in that position by a me
chanical brake; but now a stud is
pressed, and by means of delicate ma
chinery, actuated by wster-power, ,hv
beam is released. If the weight of the
bar has been correctly stated in the
memorandum, the scale which holds it
W S-AASeS q al ouuCt Ill ~
cess. This or any less excess of weight
over the $50 ounces in the opposite
scale is instantly registered by the
machine, a pointer travelling round
q dial until it indicates the
proper amount. The func-
ton of the machine, however, is limited
to weighing half an ounce only. Ii the
discrepancy between the two scales as
loaded is greater than this, or if, on the
other hand, the bar of gold is more
than half IN ounce less than the amount
stated in the memorandum, an electric
bell rings by way of warning, the point
Ell travels right round the dial, and re-
turns to zero So delicate is the adj
justment that the weight of half a pen
ny postage stamp-somewhat less than
half a grain-will set the hand in mo
ton and be recorded on the dial.
The stock of gold in the bullion vault
varies from one to three million pounds
sterling. The bars are laid side by side
On small flat trucks or barrows carry
ing 100 bars each. In a glass a in
this vault is seen a portion of the wal
indemnity paid by King Coffee OF
Ashantee, consisting of gold ornaments,
a little short of standard fneness.-
Chambers journal.