PORTABLE GAS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3711, 7 June 1883, Page 3

PORTABLE GAS.

[To the Editor of the Daily Teleghapii.] Sin, —I wish, through your medium, to draw the attention of the proper aiithoritics, whoever they may be, to the following facts. At the present time several persons in Napier are using, in lieu of kerosene, a newly invented compound called heptyliue, and another oil of a similar nature. That these oils are absolutely dangerous is proved by the recent tire at Mr Hooper's, and by the experiments conducted by ■several"gentlemen a few days ago at a residence on tho hills where the heptyline is in use. That this heptyline in particular requires not only careful handling, but that it is liable to cause a conflagration is proved by the following extract from the circular i.ssued by the local agents in endeavoring to find a market :— " Fill the reservoir with fluid by ilnylUjht, and screw in nozzle before /ij//ifi/ii/. lio not fill while lamp In biinihui, for the liquid will iff/lite Very quickly, like .spirit when <i jlo.inc comets in contact with it ; it then causes a J/arc. ,, Recently a severe explosion occurred on the premises of tho firm in Sydney who are the manufacturers of this oil, caused by the vapour coming in contact with a light; while in America within the last few months have occurred two fires involving a loss of over .€IOO,OOO, caused through the vapour from benzine (a liquid closely akin to heptylinc and gasolene) diffusing itself in a room and igniting , on the accidental application of a light. In view of these facts it is desirable that action be taken to ensure such precautions as shall prevent the possibility of even a portion of the town being burned to tho ground. Whether it is the duty of the Insurance Companies to protect the property of tho general public by refusing to insure propertj' in which heptylino or gasolene are used for lighting purposes, or whether it is the duty of the Municipal Council to regulate tho sale and use of such dangerous compound, I know not, but I feel certain that, if prompt steps arc not soon taken by either the Insurance Companies or the Council, we will havo at no distant date to lament a large fire.—l am, &c, J.K. -Juno 7, 18So. '