The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 128, 30 May 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1878.

Those of our readers who were fortunate enough to be present at last night's entertainment will freely admit that ,we were not misleading them in strongly recommending them to attend, for the unanimous verdict is that it would be scarcely possible to spend a more enjoyable evening. The proceedings were opeaed by Mr H. Adams, the President, stating the object of the entertainment, which was to raise funds for the Nelson Institute, with a view to increasing the number of books at present in the library, which is now open to the public free of charge He then introduced Mr Dowling, who, in reciting the " Lay of the Proud De Corey," fairly took his audience by storm, showing, as he did in the first few words, that he was an elocutidnist and actor of no mean order. The ope regret; that was expressed by ail was that

Mr Dowling had not previously made known his powers in this particular line, but had bidden his talent until just as he was about to leave Nelson The fight between Roderick Dim and Fits? James told with such marvellous skill and force by Sir Walter Scott, lost none of its fire when recited by an amateur possessing Mr Dowling's ability, and there were outward and visible signs of his having worked upon the feelings of his hearers as he gave that most pathetic of Macaulay's Lays of Ancient Rome, Virginia. The intervals were filled up with musical stelectiotis by mtembers of the Harmbnic Society, to whom, as well as to Mr Dowling, the public are indebte.i for a rare treat, and the Institute for a handsome accesston to its funds.,. Under the heading >« More Dangerous Kerosene s Alarming result of Test," the rost warns its readers to be careful in their use of kerosene, giving as the reason for the caution the result of a test made by Dr, Hector of sotlie oil fjrorti ft two-gallon tiu bep-ring: DeVbe's brand. The purchaser of this, who bought it at a grocery store in ' Wellington, thought he would first experiment upon it. and accordingly he placed a small tin, containing some of the kerosene, in a basin of hot water, and so soon as the temperature of the oil (by a Casella verified thermometer) reached 90 deg i( the first test was applied, although merely as a matter, of form, the experimenter never dreaming that the flashing point would be reached for, at any rate, 20 deg. more. To his consternation the oil flashed instantly, and as the temperature rose the flashing became more and mor vivid, until, at a little over 100 deg., the oil itself took fire and blazed fiercely. Unable to credit such a startling result without corroboration, he, after prohibiting its use meanwhile, took a bottle of .the oil to Dr Hector for an official analysis. Dr Hector immediately tested the oil by the regular apparatus provided for the purpose, and his report speaks for itself, in sufficiently alarming language :-^"No. ?066. 27th May, 1878. — Kerosene : Flashing point while warming, 86 deg. Fan. ; while cooling, 89 deg. Fah. At 105 deg. Fah. it blades freely, and it is difficult to extinguish the flame. A decidedly dangerous oil.— James Hector." Dr Hector added verbally that a case of nitro-glycerine would be less dangerous in a house than such kejosene as that just tested. " When it is remembered," adds our contemporary, "that the minimum flashing point allowed under the Dangerous Goods Act is 110 degs., and ithat the oil which exploded so fatally at Mr Benzoni's house did not flash until a temperature of about 100 degs. was reached, the startling significance of an oil— apparently the same as any other, and sold in all good faith as safe— flashiug at 8G dega, will be seen at once. At a temperature far below that at which gunpowder or other explosive compounds would be perfectly harmless, at a temperature 12 degs below the heat of the human body, not higher than the ordinary shade temperature in summer, or than a moderately warm room, this kerosene gives off a subtle, most inflammable, and terribly explosive vapour, dangerous ia the highest degree to approach with a light." The Post recommends that the Municipal and Customs authorities should move in the matter, and require all kerosene issued for sale to be properly tested. The difficulties in the way of this, however, are very great, for it has been shown that each, case would have to be separately tested, as the tin which gave the alarming result stated above was bought at the same place, and was to all appearances precisely the same as some that had been purchased a week or two previously, and on being tested proved to be perfectly safe with a flashing point of over 120 degs Fahrenheit. A constant destruction of bodily substance gpes on in a state of health. This destructive process is magnified fifty fold by disease when it so completely overbalances nutrition, that the system is speedily worn out. Kidney diseases, uterine complaints, rheumatism and undue nervousness cause a tremendous waste of tissue. The loss of strength and substance engendered by these and other maladies, is most effectually compensated for by Udolpho Wolfe's Aromatic Schiedam Schnapps. — Advt.