Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 3127, 26 February 1873, Page 2

When the Nelson gas works were projected, the authorities of that city were warmly recommended by the English firm of contractors whom they had consulted to defer putting their projection into operation, until such time as they ascertained the result of a now and important invention that was then about to be registered in England, and was expect; d to effect a complete revolution in the manner of manufacturing gas. The new invention was shortly afterwards described in our columns, and its aim was to substitute for coal gas another substance of smaller cost of production and higher illuminating power, to be known in the future as “ air gas.” We see by the Home papers that the invention is likely to be at once tested. In a recent issue of Mitchell's Maritime Rfjitiler appears the prospectus of a company called, “ The Air-Gaslight Company (Limited),” with a capital of L200,0(J0 in 40,000 shares of 15 each, and with an influential directory, the principal points of the prospectus being thus summarised : •‘The cost of c >al gas for the United Kingdom is stated to be more than L 21,000,000 per annum, whilst air-gas in equal quantities could not cost more than L 14,000,000. We are informed that there are no limits to the production and employment of this gas. It may be made in the most remote places for lighting churches, country mansions, farms, schools, and manufactories, which have hitherto been precluded by the cost of pipes from enjoying the advantage of gas illumination. It may be used for lighting ships, maritime lights, towns, or the most extensive cities. The advantages which distinguish air-gas are stated to be its comparative cheapness, superior brilliancy, greater purity, universality of application, and its capability of being employed as an economic and powerful auxiliary by coal-gas companies, whose meters, mains, and pipes may be used without additional expense for the storage and transmission of the mixed air and local gases. A patent for the United Kingdom has been secured, and steps have been taken for acquiring patents iu foreign countries.”