Here's something a bit oddball and extremely rare (probably very few were sold, if any)
An improved electrically driven propelling unit for use with lawn-mowers.
"Comprises a frame or bed supported upon a roller or pair of wheels adapted to travel upon the ground in rear of the mower an electric motor mounted on the bed and connected by speed reduction gear with the roller or wheels to rotate the same the unit being hingeably connected with the mower by means of a transverse rod attached to or forming part of the frame of the mower and upon which rod the bed is pivoted to preserve mower and unit in rigid alignment in the direction of travel while permitting each to accommodate itself to the surface of the ground whereon it rests".
An application for a New Zealand patent was submitted by Mason, Struthers and Co. Ltd on the 18th May 1938. A patent was granted, number 79814, and published on the 30th November 1939. The stated inventor was Victor Eustace Hamilton.
Mason, Struthers were general merchants, their registered office was at the corner Colombo and Lichfield Streets, Christchurch. They advertised their PUSHMO in the Press newspaper in April 1938, no other advertisements could be found after August 1938.
"Inspect our new patent electric mower pusher on display in one of our Colombo Street windows. Can be attached to any side wheel mower. Easy to operate and practically free from repair bills. Can be detached in a few minutes so that the mower may be converted to hand use. Has no detrimental effect upon bearing, gears etc."
One could possibly surmise that they were not a great success, I know of no surviving examples Interestingly at the time Mason, Struthers were selling twelve different motor mowers, both electric and petrol driven.
During the winter of 1938, they were also asking their clients to send their machines in now to be sharpened and overhauled. The 40-hour week greatly hampered them in giving efficient service during the rush period in early spring.
