Cutting Machin
p. 136 · Read in the full issue
Tests Of Copra
N. Guinea Planters Interested
AFTER demonstrating, in t
Rabaul area, a new copra-ci ting machine which has be built by Apex Engineering, of Bu bank, California, Mr. T. W. Marshs in July, returned to the Unit States. Most of the trials we made at Ulaveo Plantation, Kokoj in mid-July. They were watched several interested planters.
On his way back to Califorr from Sydney, Mr. Marshall call in at Suva, and some further d monstrations were given there.
As a result of these trials, sor modifications will be made in tl machine before it is marketed, as to permit of closer co-ordinatic of the work of the operators. Nu can be split very rapidly under tl hydraulic system employed: ai operations thereafter must be arranged that the kernels can 1 removed at the same rate as tl splitting and under conditioi which will give the machine a cle; advantage over the old manu method of copra-cutting.
Mr. Marshall apparently is d< termined to get the machine rur ning efficiently and profitably : the South Pacific, before he taki it to the Philippines and Indonesi —where, if it can show an advanl age over manual cutting, it obvious] should have a big market.
Meanwhile, a number of units c the copra-cutting machine invente by Mr. Rey, of Tahiti, are reporte to be at work in French Oceani; The Rey machine differs material! from the Marshall machine in tb method of nut-splitting. It was re ported, at one stage, that tb owners of the Rey and the Marsha machines were in conflict ove patent rights.