THE "WELLS LIGHT."

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 102, 1 May 1890, Page 2

THE "WELLS LIGHT."

Among the many inventions of modern times there is none which baa more quicklywon its way into public favour than the "Wells Light." Combining as ib does the brilliancy and power of the electric light with the convenience and portability of a email lamp, it is not surprising that this Bhould be so. The light is produced from oil, which is generated into vapour m a burner formed of rings, and burns in a powerful horizontal flame, giving a brilliant vet diffused light. The oil is contained in a small tank, from which a pipe rises and conveys it into the burner. A small pump is fitted into the top of the tank, by which pneumatic pressure is obtained to force the oil upwards. This pressure is produced by a few strokes of the pump, and when raised to about 201b to the square inch, gradually falls until after three or four hours it is necessary to again give a few more strokes with the pump. The whole apparatus is absolutely portable and selfcontained ; the smaller size can be carried by a lad, and the larger ones by a couple of men. It is easy to see how useful such a light must be to railway men, who have permanent way repairs and alterations, bridge and tunnel work to carry out frequently at night, to say nothing of occasional breakdowns. Its usefulness to engineers; mine owners, shipbuilders, colliery proprietors, harbour authorities, etc- is obvious. The contractor for the Manchester Ship Canal has employed noSe but the "Wells Light" during the Wo years this undertaking has been m

progress; night work? has been carried on conbinuously"throughout that period by the aid of some 300 " Wells Lights." On every large undertaking in the United Kingdom, and also in nearly all the largest factories, this light may be seen, while there is not a country in the world in which there are nob many at work. For use abroad the lamp is arranged to burn refined petroleum or kerosene, which can be obtained everywhere, the smallest power lamp burning a little over half a gallon per hour, whilst those of larger powers use gallons. Messrs A. C. Wells" and Co., Midland Road, St. Pancras, London, have already sold over 3,000 lights, and this phenomenal success appears to be due to the care which has been taken to render every part of the lamp thoroughly serviceable and simple. It ia usually put into the hands of navvies, labourers, and unskilled persons, and therefore, has been designed as simply and strongly as possible. Ib has been adopted by the English, French, German, and Austrian Governments, and is largely used in America. The lamp is made in four sizes, the largest of which gives a flame of some 4,000 c.p., while the smallest gives a light of 500 c."p., and is little more than a handlamp, which a boy can carry about whilst wor kin g.