The Advent of Acetylene.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2128, 14 July 1898, Page 2

The Advent of Acetylene.

On Saturday night last Te Aroha presented a scene of unusual bustle and animation. The leaven of excitement among the ratepayers, who, during the day, and especially towards evening, had been exercising their privilege as voters, seemed to have communicated itself to the crowd. But after the supreme moment of the declaration of the poll, it gradually died away and the people might be seen wandering around in aimless fashion in search of a fresh emotion. Through the broad straggling main street they pushed their way accompanied by the usual running fire of light laughter and chaff. It was not long, however, before the attention of. the loiterers was arrested and a wide eyed crowd gathered a if by magic from the shadows of the ill-lighted street Aud what was happeninginawell known|saddler’sshop in our main thoroughfare on Saturday night might well arrest, enchain, fascinate, attention,for with the new borough and its brand new equipment Of reforming councillors had come the light which is to revolutionise our system of illumination and turn darkness into day. From that doorway streamed a flood of light the like of which Te Aroha has never seen—of a purity and luminosity, if we may be allowed to coin a word for the occasion, with which sunlight could alone be compared, aud when investigation elicited the fact that this—we were going to write—supernal light was emitted from a burner, the aperture in which was less than a pin point, and that the consumption of gas required to frame the tiny jet of light which effectually dimmed and threw into insignificance the couple of kerosene oil lamps commonly employed there for illuminating purposes, was at the rate of 3ft. per hour, ttie wonder grew into naive expressions of delight and satisfaction. The insta'lation from various unforeseen causes, from the exhibitors’ point of view, did not reach their expectations. This week they hope to be able to show the public what the light really oui do when seen in perfection. We sincerely trust they may.