GAS FOR THE MILLION.—THE LATEST NOVELTY.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 49, 7 April 1877, Page 3

GAS FOR THE MILLION.— THE LATEST NOVELTY.

The drapery warehouse of Mr Alexander luglis, at the corner of High and Princess-street, was lighted up lastevening m a manner that should be a caution to gas companies generally. With seven patent burners they produced a light through, their extensive establishment immeasurably superior to anything that they ever succeeded m accomplishing with twenty-four Corporation jets. But the secret of their success was not so much m the burners — which themselves are startling patterns of the ingenuity of the race " that licks creation " — as m the material from which the gas is prepared. Instead of depending on the ordinary Corporation will-o'-the-wisp, the gas is actually made on the premises. In the cellar immediately beru-ath the shop we were shown the whole apparat us. It consisted simply of a brightly-polished copper cylinder four feet m length by three feet m diameter, a piece of steel cable, and a big concrete cheese weighing 3701 b. The wire was attached to the concrete weight and wound round a screw at the end of the cylinder, so as to subject the air inside to a regular pressure. The way m which the gas is produced appears to be as remarkable for its simplicity as it is singularly safe and cleanly. All the ingredients required are air, water, and a small quantity of gasoline. The gasoline occupies a small chamber at one end of the cylinder. As the gas is consumed the air is forced through the water, then passes through the gasoline, and thus, converted into an inflammable and very superior gas, with an illuminating power equal to thirty candles, it ascends through the pipes to supply the warehouse above with bottled daylight. A more cleanly, ingenious, or useful apparatus we have never witnessed. The patent for the colonies has been secured by Mr Hepburn, of the well-k.iown firm of M'Landress, Hepburn and Co. The invention hails from America, where the new gas has come into extensive use, and is reckoned so safe that its manufacture involves no alteration m the rate of insurance premiums. An inspection of Mr luglis' warehouse when lighted up is all that is needed to convince any one of its value. The apparatus was fitted up b} T Messrs. A. and T, Burt m a way so satisfactory that the" gas; was m full and perfect swing all over the premises a few minutes after their operations were completed. One of its smallest recommendations is that instead of 10s per 1000 feet, the price of. Corporation twilight, the enterprising drapers will be able to display their goods under a* dazzling light which is estimated to cost exactly 6s per 1000 feet. - This new gas machine is, we believe, the first that has been imported to the Southern Hemisphere. Its value to up-country townships, dependent for their nocturnal enlightenment on candles and kerosene, should be something immense, and as a means of keeping greedy coal-gas corporations m thorough subjection, every student of dbiinestic economy, from the vendor of colbred balloons to the garrulous housejvife,' who is everlastingly fretting away the! last remants.-pf transitory smile over her' monthly increasing gas bill, the innovation of this Yankee notion will doubtless be hailed with unequivocal delight.— " dtago^ Guardian," March 9.