Water Gas.

Manawatu Herald, 31 October 1896, Page 2

Water Gas.

In connection with the proposal to light Marton with coal gas, Mr F. G. Wilson, the Town Clerk of that borough, recently received a letter frum Mr J. Watt, of Balclutha, which is lighted by Mr Watt's patent process. Along with his letter Mr Watt forwarded some printed matter, which he says is up to date except as regards the price of oil, for the Balolutha Water Gas Company is now obtaining Taranaki petroleum oil at £8 a ton, instead of importing it at £8, which of coarse makes a great difference; in fact, Mr Watt says that it makes the water gas system in use at Balolutha, the cheapest gas-producing system in the market. Mr Watt makes the following offer, addressing Mr Wilson as representing for the time being the Borough of Marton : " If you consider our system worth your consideration I will be pleased to bring up a small working model plant and manufacture the gas before yon and enable all to have ample opportunity of seeing it in detail. I would light up your hall or other public buildings for a week or ten days and give a series of descriptive lectures ou the process and manufacture, and also give a full detailed report, and estimate the exaat cost of the erection of works, pipes, plant and machinery necessary for the lighting of your town by our pro* caps. I would al?o bring with me a large collection of heating and cook- . ing gas stoves aud possibly also a ga< engine and a complete assortmen; of gas lighting appliances, so as to give a complete practical demonstration of its value. All this I am prepared to do, conditionally that your Council bear part of the expense, and in the event of you deciding to adopt the system I would allow rebate on the permanent plant of all expense that you have been put to. More than this I cannot do. However, if you have any suggestion to make re the matter I will be pleased to hear it, and will endeavour to meet you on the most reasonable terms. Being in dose proximity to the oil supply, you are favourably situated, and have advantages few towns have for the adoption of this system." In an article on the subject the Otago Daily Times says that the advantages claimed by Mr Watt for his patent method of gas-making are that the plant costs comparatively little and occupier a small space when erected. The works can be shut down at a moment's notioe without loss oi gas or injury to the plant, and can be started at a few hours' notioe. Gas can also be manufactured of any quality, from 5 to 60-candle power, at the will of the manufacturer. The gaß made is, moreover, entirely free from the impurities usually found in ooal gas, and the perfect simplicity of the plant, combined with its cheapness, efficiency, and economy in working, renders it specially suitable for the manufacture of gas. The Mayor of Balolatba, in a letter to Mr Watt, says :— " 1 have great pleasure in being able to state that our Council Chambers, Library, I and Street Lamps, have during the past winter been lighted by your water gas, which has from the start run without the slightest hitch and has given unbounded satisfaction in every respect. It gives a clear white light, is pleasant to read with and vastly superior to kerosene both as regards cost and illumination, and I have no hesitation in stating that in. -^k those streets where your gas is. ia^ operation we can safely claim to havfl^T the best lighted streets in the colony. ■' While wishing you every success, I can with great pleasure teeerameud your gas to all who require \%, n