THE KEROSENE SCARE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5174, 17 June 1878, Page 3

THE KEROSENE SCARE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I shall be glad if you will allow me space to reply to your persistent efforts to create a panic in the public mind with reference to the use of the ordinary brands of kerosene oil. 1. Samples of all the principal brands now in stock in this town were tested some weeks ago by the duly authorised person, and pronounced perfectly safe. 2. A small quantity of very bad oil has been introduced into the place, which, I understand, is stored some distance away from town, until the present scare be over. The police should try and discover the whereabouts of this oil. 3. The brands of kerosene now in stock are the same as, or precisely similar to, those which have been in use throughout the colouios for many years past. 4. Their comparative safety is proved by the very small per-centage of accidents which have occurred; the per centage being probably as small as that arising from the use of gas. 5. The same brands are in use throughout the whole of the Australasian colonies, wljere scores of thousands of cases are consumed annually. It is also well-known that a brand of colonially-manufactured oil, which is considered unfit for use by consumers here, is very largely burnt in New South Wales. 6. There are from ten to twelve thousand cases of kerosene stored here at the present time, all of generally approved brands, which it would be unfair to importers t.o condemn, in the face of the facts I have stated. 7. The statements which have come from Wellington, with regard to the dangerous nature of ordinary kerosene, rest on the authority of a gentleman whose opinions have not always received the credence from you which you appear disposed to give them in this matter. 8. You will do a service to the public by publishing a few simple directions for avoiding accidents with| kerosene lamps (1.) Let the lamps be filled every day. (2.) Never blow down the chimney to extinguish the flame, but across it; the latter method intercepts the current of air, and instantly puts out the flame. (3.) Take care that the gallery on which the chimney rests is kej»t perfectly clean, so as to allow a free passage of air to the flame. (4.) nerer mix oils of different brands. (5.) Lamps should be emptied occasionally, cleaned, and refilled with fresh oil. —I am, &c., M.