KYEBURN.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 134, 22 September 1871, Page 3

KYEBURN.

(From our ovm. Correspondent.)

Has it struck the inhabitants of your town that gas is much cheaper than kerosene ? and if so, did it ever strike them that gas was easily to be obtained ? I had myself long been aware that gas was to be obtained in large quantities from the brown lignite in the North J sland, but I could not state whether it was to be obtained from the Kyeburn coal. Feeling some curiosity in the matter, I tried some experiments with a few samples from the pit of Messrs. William Brown and Co. The result far surpassed my expectations, and I can now safely assert that gas is contained in payable quantities in this lignite. I cannot state the exact quantities, not having the necessary apparatus, but any of my readers who are desirous ot verifying my statements can do so in the following manner: — Fill the bowl of an ordinary clay pipe with small angular pieces of coal; cover this with a bolus of clay, making it air-tight; insert the bowl of the pipe between the bars of a grate into a good red fire, As the coal becomes heated, a thick smoke will issue from the orifice in the stem. This will not ignite for some minutes, but if a light be occasionally applied it will eventually burn with a steady flame for five, ten, or fifteen minutes, according to the size of the pipe. I have thought fit to say thus much on this subject, hoping that it may draw attention to a matter well worthy of consideration. Coal fit for gas making purposes is being thrown away at the pits, and could be obtained at about half-price ; and lam confident that, if a gas works were established at Naseby, it would well repay the outlay. Let any one who doubts try the experiment above mentioned, and he will, be convinced. Dr. Hochs'etter, the geologist of the Novara expedition, draws particular attention to the qualities of the North Island lignite in a lecture delivered by him in Auckland. I have reason to believe that the Kyebum coal is of a superior quality to the brown lignite, and would consequently produce more gas. Dr. Hochstetter remarks that the brown lignite, from its bulky nature, will always be unfit for steamers making long sea voyages, but, on the other hand, its qualities as a gas-producing coal will render it valuable as an article of export. I will say no more on this subject at present, but hope, at no distant period, to see your township illuminated with that best and cheapest of all illuminating agents —gas. I believe it is the intention of Messrs Brown and Co. to have some of their coal analysed. If this be done, I will furnish you (if possible) with the analysis.