Revolution in Fire Lighting

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 179, 7 August 1888, Page 2

Revolution in Fire Lighting

MR WAITE’S INVENTION, Oun exchanges have lately contained a great many references to a contrivance for the expeditious kindling of fires, being a patent of Mr H. Waite’s, of Auckland. By the last steamer a number of the lightere were reoeived in Gisborne, Messrs Wingate, Burns and Co. being the local agents. The following from a late number of the Auckland Star will give an idea of the appreciation which has been accorded to thia latest household boon:— On Saturday night, in Queen Street, a rather unusual occurence happened, and people thought that another Canadian doctor had arrived. It proved to be Crowther's handsome brake, driven by Mr H. Waite, with four horses, with Hunter’s band playing airs, and Waite's Patent Fire Lighters carried in full fiare, illuminating the street, and astonishing people by their light. After traversing Quean street for half-an-hour, they pulled up at J. Leydon’s, who has been appointed Mr Waite's agent. After a few remarks from Mr Leydon, Mr Waite mounted the platform and said he believed that they had as good men in New Zealand, and better than the birds of passage who come with a flourish of trumpets. As he thought he had a patent remedy for one ill, and a very' patent one, namely, the trouble they had in lighting fires, ho would introduce it with a flourish of trumpets, and so be in the fashion, but with tbe exception that he had been a colonial of twenty-seven years’ standing, and had been in business in Auckland for the last seven, teen years. He intended to force them to use his Patent Fire Lighters as being the best, safest, and cheapest invention that had ever been brought before the public. He then proceeded to demonstrate the advantages of his invention. In another column are two certificates, one from Superintendent Hughes of Auckland Fire Brigade, the other from Mr Smith, of Christchurch (President of the Mutual Fire Brigade Association), We might add that Mr Waite is the recipient of two bronze and four silver medals, also three first-class certificates of merit. Every prize has been for local productions, and his last will, we think, prove the greatest boon to the housewife. If his Fire Lighter can do what is claimed for it, it will soon be in use all the world over.