"LET THERE BE LIGHT."

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 174, 21 July 1909, Page 5

"LET THERE BE LIGHT."

AND THERE WAS LIGHT.

With the discovery of coal gas and the varidus improvements in the burn- , ing thereof the modern man is thor- ; oughly acquainted. When we come to think of the old candelabra times of our forefathers and the disabilities under which they laboured in regard to their lighting facilities we cannot but be grateful that we came into the world at this . late period of its history.' The illiiminant known as coal-gas was once thought to be the last thing in illuminants, but following on the old-time naked burners; came the variety of incandescent appliances and mantles which makes the [ light so radiant at the present day. ; These mantles, however, are delicate i fabrics, and require constant replacing. The expense in a large establishment is considerable. Necessity begets invention, and inventive minds turned to discover some means of doing away with the necessity of mantles. When carbide of calcium was discovered, quite accidentally, and its uses as a generator of illuminating gas developed, it was thought the "light of the age" was at last an accomplished fact. But numerous accidents occurred with the generators at first evolved,, and. users were sliy of having anything to do with such A dangerous compound. Inventive genius, however, got to work, and the result is to be found in what is known as the "Sunrise" generator. This small and compact: little appliance is absolutely safe, and is so simple that a boy can charge it. It is not intended to go into the eternal economy of its parts in thjs article, but the component principles of its advocaters are simplicity of working, cheapness in burning, and superiority in illuminating power. No mantles are required, and the generator is so devised that it automatically adjusts its generation of gas, and consequent consumption of carbide, to the amount of cubic feet of gas consumed. Mr Jas. A. Leslie, of Blenheim, is the sole agent for the "Sunrise" generator in Marlborough, and anyj further particulars may >be obtained from him. He has already installed the light in a number of places in Marlborough, and general satisfaction is expressed by ' patrons in, its i working and in its efficiency as an. illuminant. The cost is a mere baga. : telle, and the working cost is an eye-, opener to the burner of the riiore generally understood coal-gas. The cost ot burning alone is slightly under that of coal gas, and to this is to be added the extra brilliancy and the saving in the cost of mantles. The- following unsolicited testimonials. >ap.eak for themselves :— j "'Dear Sir,—We shall be ready for you to lay on the gas to our new hall . . . and as there is much to do before the- opening night I should like you to get the matter out of hand as soon as possible. The 'Sunrise' generator continues to give the greatest satisfaction.—Yours faithfully, A. F. Redwood, Tua Marina Hotel." "Dear Sir, —Please find enclosed cheque for amount of installation of gas in my hotel, and I beg to inform yoii that I am very pleased with it. It is a splendid light, and as economi--:cal as you claimed it to be, and I must add that the working of the flant is very easy and simple indeed, t is a great treat after having the ■house lighted with lamps. I shall be "very pleased to recommend your generator to anyone who is thinking of % installing acetylene gas. — Yours faithfully, J. T. Midwood, Masonic Hotel, Havelock." Mr A. F. Redwood, Tua Marina Hotel, again writes:—"l have much pleasure in stating that the 'Sunrise' improved acetylene gas. generator installed by you throughout my hotel has in every way given the [greatest satisfaction. The generator is simplicity itself, and imder the* supervision of an ordinary intelligent [person there is absolutely no danger. I'11 strongly recommend the 'Sunrise. generator to any person requiring a [brilliant light at a minimum of cost."

Any further information can be obtained from Jas. A. Leslie, plumber, Grove Road, Blenheim. . , *.