NEW INDUSTRY FOR CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15774, 15 December 1916, Page 9

NEW INDUSTRY FOR CHRISTCHURCH.

Alii GAS MACH3XER.Y,

LOCAI*-T>EMONSTRATIOXS

It will be welcome news to those interested in the progress of Chnstcburch to learn that there is a big possibility of a new industry being established in the city. A representative of "TTie Press" was informed yesterday that a local company is being formed to undertake the manufacture of Quirk's Patent Safety Air Gas machines, and that in all probability the factory will bo situated within half a mile of the city. A duty of 2o per cent, on theso machines, which are of Australian manufacture, has been one of the factors which have resulted in the proposed local company. Another determining factor is the hig demand that already exists in New Zealand for these machines. Tho important feature in connexion with Quirk's Patent Safoty Air Gas is that it renders it possible to bring to tho country dweller, living far from coal gas or electricity installations, the advantages that the town dweller possesses in tho matter of cheap light and power. This is done by the country dweller manufacturing the gas he requires by means of a Quirk air gasmaking machine. The gas is a mixture of 98 per cent, of atmospheric air and 2 per cent, of petrol. A noteworthy feature of the machine is that it only manufactures tho exact quantity of gas required. It is automatic iu its operation in this respect. The gas. as it loaves the machine, is absolutely nontap can be turned on and tho escaping gas will extinguish a match held a little distance from tho escaping point. Tho gas is also nonasphyxiating. To obtain illumination upright or inverted incandescent mantles must he used. It is claimed for Quirlc air gas that its brilliancy is '25 per cent, greater than coal gas. Another advantage is that the light given off does not contain the harmful ultras violet rays so common with other artificial lights, and is the only illuminant known to-day which throws off all shades of green and blue in their natural tints. It is the only artificial light on the market which can be satisfactorily used for wool classing, and is the popular illuminant of Australia for this purpose. It can be used for all the purposes thafceoal gas is used —cooking, ironing, heating water for baths and radiators, and for driving gas engines. Another important_feature is the low running cost—lo lights each of 65 c.p. can be kept going on a pint of petrol for one hour. Tho following i s a comparison of cost for the same number of c.p.. hours: —Coal gas at 7s 6d per 1000 cubic feet will cost 7d; electricity at 6d per unit will cost about 7d; acetylene gas. with carbide at 30s per cwt. will cost 2s; kerosene, at Is Gd per gallon, will cost Is 6d: Quirk's air gas, with petrol at 2s 6d per gallon, will cost 4d.

'lhc machine which produces the gas is a marvel of simplicity and compactness. It is absolutely seTT-contained and is automatic. Pipes and fittings that have been used for other gag installations can be used, and, ur3ike acetylene, there is nb cleaning out to be done. The automaticity of the machino makes for economy. All that is necessary to start tße plant is to light a point and the machine generates only sufficient gas to keep that point going; as other points are lit. the machine increases its output. The gas can be turned on with ordinary taps, or Dy switches, like electricity. Tho plant is soTnteresting tfiat all shoulu take advantage of the opportunity to inspect those on view. The plant costs from £27 10s upwards to install. There are over 5000 of Quirk's machines in. uso in Australia, amongst tho big users being the Commonwealth Government the Governments of New South ales and \ ictoria. Several country towns are also lit with Quirk's air gas. The recent coal strike in New South Wales proved the proverbial "ill wind" for Quirk's Safety Air Gas Plant to prove its utility and effectiveness. The supply of coal gas was cut off entiroly, and rather than light up by lamps and candles, as the cables to New Zealand iled one to believe, many of the leading firms of Sydney resorted to Quirk's Patent, which in most instances was installed at from 12 to 21 hours' Notice. Amongst these firms were: — Messrs Marcus Clark and Co., Ltd.; Gowing Bros., Palmer and Sons. McCathie, Ltd., and Angus and Coote. Messrs Marcus Clark afterwards -wrote Messrs Quirk stating that in their opinion "the light is equal to, if not better than, coal gas." Tho leading theatres and picture palaces of the New Couth "Wale s Metropolis wero also in tho same predicament cs the prominent business firms, but tho t management similarly found tho only way out of tho difficulty, and continued to make their usual profits nightly by introducing Quirk's Plants.

It is no surprise to learn that tho matter of manufacturing Quirk's Patent Safety Air Gas Plants is already being taken up enthusiastically by prominent local business gentlemen, the proposal being that the whole of the Dominion should be supplied from Christchurch.

It would certainly appear also from tho exjjcricnco of Messrs Quirk in tho marketing of their machine in Australia, that country residents have everything to gain by installing it. '"{Let us install it; you try it for a month, then if you'ro dissatisfied or have proved that anything we say is incorrect, we'll tako it away at our expense!" This was the straightforward statement made by their representatives and retold by Mr Quirk to "The Prees" representative as we chatted over the proposition. And this will be the method |pf marketing the machine here in New Zer.'land.

The public will Have an opportunity of judging the merits of the system, however. It has been arranged to givo doily demonstrations in the establishment of Messrs C. and J. Colville, plumbere, Cathedral Square, and Mr Quirk himself will be in attcndr.Qco from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., and from 7.30 till 9 p.m. on Fridays. It has also been arranged for the benefit of country people that a demonstration of baking will be given in the same place on Wednesday afternoon of next week. The Dominion Yeast Company's demonstrator will be in attendance, and an air of real business will pervade the place as he mixes dough, using the now famous Compressed Yeast, which has proved such a boon to country ladies who are denied the privileges of a daily bread delivery, and as he takes from the handy Quirk Gas Oven the steaming bread with its brilliant "bloom." Scones and yeast buns will doubtless also be baked during the afternoon. Announcement by advertisement will jbo made in "The Press" of Tuesday i next as to the hours of the demonstratl<Meantime many will doubtless take advantage of the opportunity given dailv of inspecting this truly wonderful device, of which it can truthfully be «aid "a child can use it." This phrase is freely misused by certain dangerous and highly inflammable devices, and if is important that people should look well into matters and satisfy themselves as to the absolute truthfulness or otherwise of any statement used bv the advocates of any light. Tho Quirk 'Patent Safety Air Gas Machino would really appear to be the scientific device which can l«y <-laim to almost evervthinf that can be claimed for house-lighting. tcmi, a