GOVERNMENT PURCHASING METHODS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1916, Page 7

GOVERNMENT PURCHASING METHODS.

STRICT SUPERVISION 1 . The New Zealand Government, in conjunction with the Imperial Government, is probably purchasing more fanning products and manufactured goods than all other dealers in New Zealand combined. Buying in such huge quantitieti and appreciating the great loss that would, follow if faulty or low-grade produce or materials were exported" Governmcnt olViciuJs are exorcisinc extreme care, and all purchases are critically examined; goods of doubtful quality being promptly rejected. This refers to goods for both war and civil purposes, and the manufacturers or agents dealing in second-grade goods receive a poor hearing where the Government departments are concerned.

How careful the 'Postal and Military Departments are before committing themselves to even comparatively small purchases was demonstrated when ill's. Early Bros., of 5;!) Cuba street. Wellington, the New Zealand agents, first introduced their ''Wizard Lighting Systems" to their notice. At that time, June, mij, the ''Wizard" Light was practically unknown in New Zealand, and Acetylene Gas and Kerosene Lamps were used in jpractieally all ctountry Post Offices. Other systems had been tried without success, so the officials were not prepared to purchase o:i an ordinary demonstration. To overcome this difficulty the agents undertook to tend a litter to South Otago and instal a six-point plant at, the Awarutt Wireless Station on trial, at their own lisk and expense. This station, which is in charge of a competent officer, gave the Department an opportunity to test the plant under severe conditions, as the station 'vorks all night, and the lamps were kept burning foi about twelva hours out of the twenty-four. After a three months* test, the officer in charge was able to report that the plant was satisfactory in every way; one tin of benzine lasted longer tluin tllree tins of kerosene had done previously, and several times more light was obtained. At the then price of benzine the average cost of running the lamps was less than one penny for three hours, und no expense was incurred for mantles or globes. On the recommendation of the officer in charge another plant was installed in the engine-room of the same station, and other orders quickly followed for two "Wizard" plants for the Auanui Wireless Station, at the extreme end of the North Island, and for a number of country Post Office buildings. "Wizard 1 ' lamps are still being specuied for country Post Ofl'.ees. The following letter has been 'received by the agents from the Acting-Tele-graph Engineer, Duncdin:— l

Sirs,—l am authorised to advise you that the "Wizard" Gas Lighting Systems installed by you at the Awiirui Radio and other stations have' proved quite satisfactory to the Department. Yours faithfully. (Signed) R. P. VEITCH, Acting-Telegraph Engineer. Tile "Wizard" Light is also being used extensively in Trentham and other Military Camps The following is an, extract from a report made by the Mill tary authorities after a careful test.

"COST.—Petrol at lis fid per tin of four gallons. . , . This works out at 340 hours (approximately), each succeeding 100 hours light costing 2s subject to the fluctuation in the cost "of petrol."

"DISTRIBUTION.—The Lamp gives a steady wlnte light, sufficient to illuminate one Marquee sufficiently for the ordinary purposes of reading and writing. In the open, the lamp covers an area approximately SO paces radius, showing up objects at that distance. At 10 paces the light is jusjb clear enough to enable pencil-writing to be read." "CONSTRUCTION.—GeneraIIy sound. The Petrol Reservoir is apparently made of. steel, securely riveted, and "shouid stand up well to anything but severe crushing."

"FACILITY.—The Lamp gives an efficient light when charged with any of the Oils, or or about the same Specific Gravity of American ('Petroleum) Benzine, i.e., .07 to .7."

"Tile foregoing report is based upon result? of actual tests. In comparison with Kerosene (Hurricane) Lamps, the initial cost is high, hut the consequent reduction of expense in making good waste and breakage would be vastly reduced, and the general question of lighting be brought to a much liner margin between cost and results. The Wizard' Lamp is, in my opinion, a lamp of great utility and long service." The Salvation Army Hull is the . largest and finest Hall in Trentham Military Camp, and although electric light is available, the Captain in charge prefers the "Wizard" Light, and soldiers and visiting concert parties are agreed that no Hall in Camp is so brilliantly lighted, and it is largely on this account that all important concerts and official gatherings take place in this Hall, under the cheerful rays of the "Wizard" Light. Before he left for the front, Captain Gamer wrote:—

Dear Sifs,— ' • It is with great pleasure that I write to let you know how satisfactory the "Wizard" Lights are proving. We have not had one moment of trouble with them, and the men are delighted with the soft light. We also find the Lamps most economical, and jn every way the best light we have ever had' in any of pur Marquees or Institutes. (Signed) CAPT. E. L. GARNER, Trentham Military Camp.

Farmers and country storekeepers should write to Messrs Early Bros., 59 Cuba Street, Wellington, at once for prices and particulars of "Wizard Lighting Systems," All plants are guaranteed for FIVE years, and are approved by the N.Z. Fire Underwriters. "Wizard" Lamps are classified with electric light and coal gas for insurance purposes and no extra insurance is charged on a building where "Wizard" plants are installed. Nearly two thousand plants have already been sold in the Dominion. G4

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