THE KEROSENE MARKET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5370, 13 June 1878, Page 2

THE KEROSENE MARKET.

The result of the recent experiments which have proved that the larger proportion of the kerosene in the city is of a quality that causes it to be classed as dangerous, has quite unsettled the kerosene market, and has alarmed wholesale dealers, retailers, and consumers. The Dangerous Goods Act provides that any oil purporting to be kerosene which shall flash at a less heat than 100 degrees shall be considered to be dangerous, and be held to be petroleum, for the purposes of the Act. From time to time the published tests have shown that many of those brands considered to be first-class do not stand the necessary tests, and it is stated that out of 42 samples only two did not flash at a less heat than 110 degrees. It has now been found that a large parcel, imported by the' Eingarooma from Melbourne, is not legal kerosene, samples taken from the top and bottom of one tin flashing at 92 and 93, and from another tin at 93 and 94 degrees. This oil was sold by the importer in two lots, and it has been suggested whether there is not a doubt as to the liability of the purchaser to take delivery. It is not the kerosene under the Dangerous Goods Act; though, on the other hand, it raay-be said that it is the kerosene of commerce, This might be a.nice point for the lawyers to argue. For the present, passing over the danger caused to consumers by the sale of inferior oil, the question has a very important aspect commercially. There are now, it is supposed, some 15,000 cases afloat for this city alone, and it has been computed that if all kerosene which flashes at a less heat than 110 degrees is to be condemned, the loss to the New Zealand merchants will be £60,000 to 70,000. Mr. Krull, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, has called a special meeting for Friday afternoon, to consider the question, which is a most important one. If the limit fixed by the Act be the correct one, it is quite certain that a wholesale imposition has been perpetrated by those from whom the owners of the imported kerosene have purchased, for nearly the whole is liable to be classed as dangerous. No doubt the better course to pursue would be to test the oil on its being landed, and if it would not bear the test, destroy it at once ; but before this could be done legislation would be necessary. However, no one can now legally expose it for sale unless the vessel containing it is labelled thus, “ Dangerous—No light to be brought near.” Carrying out this would amount to confiscacation, for who would buy kerosene with such a certificate of character attached. The Secretary for Customs has drawn the attention of the Wellington city authorities to the provisions of the Act, and probably the local bodies thronghoutthe colony will have communications on the subject addressed to them. Mr. C. O. Graham has sent the, following notice to certain holders of kerosene : “Sir,—X hereby give you notice that the kerosene stored in your name in the kerosene store, and marked , has been tested in accordance

with the provisions of the Dangerous Goods Act, ISG9, and has been found to be ‘ petroleum * within the meaning of the said Act, which requires that all such ‘ petroleum ’ shall only bo stored in a store specially licensed for the purpose, or in some other place at least fifty yards from other buildings, except to the extent of ten gallons only, kept for private use, and not for safe. Further, that no such petroleum shall be sold or exposed for sale, unless the vessel containing the same is labelled in legible characters ‘ Dangerous —No light to be brought near.’ Any petroleum stored except as above, renders the same liable to be forfeited, and the owner thereof liable to a penalty of £2O a day for each day during which such petroleum is kept in contravention of the sai l Act, and any petroleum sold except as above renders the vendor liable to a penalty not exceeding £s."—l have, &c., In Canada, kerosene flashing at less then 115, that is sdeg. higher than our test, is held to be dangerous ; and it is possible that American exporters favor this colony and Australia with oil that will not pass nearer home. As a belief exists that kerosene is used in the New Zealand lighthouses, it may be well to say that this is not the case. Paraffin is burnt, and it is tested periodically by the keepers. That used is made by Young’s Light and Mineral. Oil Company, near Glasgow, from shale, and it is not treated as good if it flashes under 120 deg., and it usually flashes at about 150 deg. to 160 deg.