THE A.G.A. LIGHT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1763, 30 May 1913, Page 3

THE A.G.A. LIGHT.

A REMARKABLE CONTRIVANCE.

ITS USE IN NEW ZEALAND, Visiting Wellington at present is Mr. J. G. Artbcrj, of Stockholm, chief engineer for tho Gas Accumulator Company, Ltd., of that city, tho company which manufactures tho A.G.A. marine light, which is already known in New Zenalnti, and which is the style of light to be crected on Karori Rock. As it is Die first light of the kind which has been adopted for use in the vicinity of this port, .-01110 particulars of the light are interesting. Tho United States Government has adopted tho A.G.A. automatic light for tlulighting of the Panama Canal, and the company is at present negotiating for relighting of the whole of the Mississippi liiver. The illuminant is produced from a form of dissolved acetylene, specially prepared and purified—a porous subject which is acted upon bv liquid acotune, producing a, gas light said to be of exceptional brilliance. Such is the concentration of the formula that-a cylinder that would ordinarily contain 50 gallons of gas contains tho wherewithal for the making of 5000 galons of A.G.A. gas (at a pressure of 150!b.). Its chief attribute is that the light is automatic, and, it is stated, can bo loft to look after itself for as long as u year, without any attention at all. By the medium of ingenious mechanism, acted upon by tho effect of diffused light, tha emission of gas is automatically ciiit olf at daylight, and (by the aid of a permanent pilot .light) resumes its duty at dusk. This end is achieved by tho exposure to tho light of three metal rods, one blackened upon by the effect of diffused light, the fleet the light). The light is naturally absorbed by the blackened rod, which, expanding, forces its lower point on to tv lever attachment, which cuts off the flow of gas. The contraction which takes place as the daylight disappears releases the lever, and allows the gas to flow. It is lighted automatically by tho pilot and continues to burn until daylight cames again. So sensitive is tho apparatus to the effect of light that the raisins or lowering of a blind in a room during the daytime is sufficient to cause the mechanism to act. Another mechanical attachment causes the light to flash in any definite mannp.r that may be required. The light as adaptable to floating buoys as well as fixed beacons, tho buffeting of tho waves and the motion of the sea having on effect on the mechanism.

Mr. Artberg stairs that his company has just fixed up three A.G.A. lights on buoys on the Bank di Ingles (off Monte Video) for the Uruguayan Government. These are also fitted with submarine bells, so as to be of service in a fog ta vessels fitted with microphones. There are already three of these lights in the Whangarei Harbour, two in Auckland Harbour, one 01. th« Hen. and Chickens, one on Tualiino Point, ar.d one on Deiffenbach I'oint'(Tory Channel). The company is now supplying the Government with a lipht for Karori Rock (Cook Strait), and during his visit to Wellington Mr. Artberg has put a scheme before the Minister for Marine, by which he considers tlio difficulty of lighting the Thriw Kings could be overcome by erecting a buoy light off the Western King.