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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8410, 9 January 1899, Page 3

The Hon. J. M'Kenzio presided at a gathering and concert of the Gaelic Society in Dnncdin. In announcing his intention to visit Scotland shortly, he said that in returning Home there would be nothing he would be prouder of than the fact that he did so as the Chief of the Gaelic Society of New Zealand. The centenary of gas is bringing out many anecdotes about William Murdock in connection with his discovery of combustible air or gas. So little was the invention understood and believed in by those who had not seen it in use that even great and wise men laughed at the idea. "How could there be light without a wick ?" said a member of Parliament, when the subject was brought before the House. Sir Humphrey Davy ridiculed the idea of lighting towns by gas, and asked one of the proprietors if he meant to take the dome of St. Paul's for a gas meter. Sir Walter Scott made himself merry over the idea of illuminating London by smoke, though he was glad enough, not [so long after, to make his own house at Abbotsford light and cheerful on wintry nights by the use of that very smoke. When the House of Commons was lighted by gas the architect imagined that the gas ran on fire through the pipes, and, therefore, he insisted on their being placed several inches from the wall, for fear of the building taking fire. The members might be observed carefully touching the pipes with their gloved hands, and wondering why they did not feel warm. The first shop lighted in London by this new method was Air Ackerman's, in the Strand, in 1810 ; and one lady of rank was so delighted with the brilliancy of the gas lamp on the counter that she asked to be allowed to take it homo in her carriage.