Water Gas for Waimate.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 132, 23 November 1901, Page 3

Water Gas for Waimate.

I On Wednesday evening Mr J, Watt lectured to a good audience in the Oddfellows’ Kail, on the question of installing water gas in Wai.nuto. In the absence of his Worship* the Mayor, who was unwell, Mr Coffman presided, Ha briefly introduced Mr Watt. In opening his lecture. Mr Wcdt said he was not going to enter into any technical details of the manufacture of gas. Hs was there to prove to them that they could got gas laid on in Waimate, withgut costing the Borough Council a fraction. All his company asked was the sola right to instai gas works in Wannate, and to sell gas. They would want the Borough Council cc give them the lighting of the street la.in.oa, and of the' Borough Council Chambers. They would produce from 20.000 ft to 60,000 ft per d ly, and installing the works would cost about £6OOO, most of which would be spent in the town. The charge would be 15s per 1000 ft, with 2s 6d discount for cash. After the consumption reached cOOOft per night, a reduction of Is per 1000 ft of gas would be made, and this would be continued, till 7s 6d was reached, at which price it would bo fixed. Mr Watt assured the audience that ho never disappointed hie customers, either as to the quality of tho gas, or to -its cheapness. He did nob claim to bo the inventor of water c»as—far from it. There were about 200 different methods of malting water gas, but his was the only single system. The other systems required six different apparatures, and operators, while his required one only. The speaker briefly described the. various other methods of.making gas, as compared with the Watt process. To siow bow easily his system worked, he stated that Mrs Watt alone had operated the gas works at Balclutha for four years, and the works at Pahiatua .year. Eo gave instances of the cheapness of water gas, as compared with kerosene. He said that if any Statement hemight make either through the Press, or from the platform, were proved untrue by anyone he would, in the event of gas being laid on to Waimate,* instai gas in the person’s house, and give free gas for five years, or would fit up a gas engine, and supply two years gas. Mr Watt proceeded to road testimonials from dozens of users df water gas. as to its cheapness and its quality. He said he had never bad a complaint from’ any customer about the gas. The speaker pointed out the advantages of tho use of water gas for cooky ing or heating the cleanliness and saving of labour, being strong recommendations in its favour. At the installation at Pahiatua, a social was given, at which 280 people were present, and all the nettfisary cooking was done by gas by one lady without undue •.exertion. Tt; rning to the of the question,, he said'that all other , gas companies charged for installing, service pipes, from , tho wain to ■ the indde of residences—his did not. Too people who u*<’d the gas v,riuld be required to pay crtly id «M they used. - When - j,u - Pnjmaludj: '&■. person

to be effected by using the |gas in the streets. Ho hod wired to the Mayor of Balclutha, asking tor comparison of water gas and kerosene for the street lamps, and 'had receive the reply that kerosene averaged ,5s a month per lamp, and water gas 2s ■lid. The latter supplied about three times the light kerosene did. If they got the concession from the Borough Council at once, they would have the works in operation by next winter. Mr Watt asked for questions on any points he had not made clear. Mr Middleton asked what would be the coat of fitting up 20 gas lights in an hotel, and Mr Watt said the cost varied with the style of burner, but a good average was 5s par light. In reply to Mr Nicol, Mr Watt stated that gas lighting did not affect the insurance on buildings, as water gas was one of the safest lights known. Mr Watt stated that London,' Glasgow, Leeds, and other large cities were lighted by water gas, while two thirds of the gas used in America was mad? from water. Mr Nicol asked the cost of running a gas engine, and Mr Watt gave an instance of an engine of horse power which ran 3j hours per day, at a daily cost of 9.}d. Replying to Mr Morrison, the speaker said a gas stove to cook for six persons would cost 6s or Ss a month. No more questions beiug forthcoming, Mr vVatt thanked those present for their attendance. He also thanked the Oddfellows for the free use of their hall, which he would not forget. Mr Coltman said they were all indebted to Mr Watt for coming to Wannate and showing them a way o? improving the town. He said Mr Watt deserved the thanks of the community. Mr Mathias moved a vote of thanks to Mr Watt. He said that it was time VVaimate had a better light (hear, hear} and those present were .convinced that Watt’s water gas was the thing for Waimato. Ke hoped the civic fathers present would persuade the others to grant the concession at one#' (loud applause). Mr Nicol seconded this. He said that bis eon, who was in Canada, had written to him that water gas was used in one of the rooms of the Fau-Amori-can Exhibition, and it was declared the best light ever used. ■ The vote of thanks wss passed by acclamation. Mr Watt returned thanks. He moved a vote of thanks to Mr Coltman for presiding, and this was carried unanimously.