GAS—HIGHLY IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 64, 26 September 1872, Page 3

GAS—HIGHLY IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.

Wβ have the permission of Messrs Morrison, Selanders, and Co., to publish the following extract from a letfcwr just received by that firm from a gentleman in London who formerly resided in Nelson. It had an important bearing on the erection of Gras-works in Nelson about to be undertaken : — " London, June 27,1872. "We are, I believe, upon the eve of a great change in the manufacture of gas, which threatens an entire revolution in that and the coal trade. I have lately witnessed the working of Kroinschrcider's Patent, a perfectly new invention, and as yet acaacely before the world. " By tin's process gas of very suparior quality can be produced at a far lower rate than by that at present in use, and its illuminating power compared with ordinary coal gas is as 24 to 14. " It is produced without coal or the application of heat, by a simple and inexpensive apparatus which 1 regard as a wonderful discovery. lam not suilieictiUy scientific or mechanical to describe it accurately, and can only do so roughly, but it appears to be a cylinder, say about 5 feet in diamater and 3 fact high, containing an apparatus moved by something like clockwork which draws in the atmosphere through a valve, and passes it through any mineral oil (kerosine, paralllne, or any other) and it comes out o?i the other side as mineral oil (/an, being then conducted into the gasometer. The apparatus for producing a supply for the city of Nelson would not cost more than £100, and the old expensive machinery, retort, &c, for its manufacture are entirely done awy with. 1 have been endeavouring to arrange with the patentees for working it in Nelson, as all there is to do would be to get the apparatus and kerosine, and fill the gasometers at so much per 1000 feet. I. cannot, however, come to anything definite with them for some little time, as they are in treaty with a Company for the sale of their patent so far as regards the Australian colonies for £120,090, and I don't vet know whether New Zealand is included in tliat offer. They will not sell the patent as regards the United Kingdom, but license campanies or individuals to work it subject to a royalty of 4d or 6d per 1000 feet. As soon as I find out with whom to treat for working it in Nelson, 1 propose, if the terms are reasonable, forming a small company consisting of gentlemen interested in Nelson. If we can supply the Nelson Government at 7s Gd or 5s per 1000 feet, and save them the cost of manufacture, they could not do better than come to us. and all they'would have te do would be to erect their gasometer and lay down their pipes. " You recollect some years since fears were entertained of a falling oil' in'the supply of coal, or rather that it wouM be exhausted; and it was then dieted that there would be other means discovered of generating heat, which in this gas appears to be verified, as it produces an intense heat, and a smaller apparatus than that described would suffice to drive a large steamer and save carrying coals. This matter is only at the present in its infancy, and in time you will hear more of it from a better pen."— Examiner.