233 



itself heated by the final escape gases from the furnaces. This 

 secondary combustion gives a very high temperature, and is the 

 means of an enormous saving of fuel. The combustible gases 

 may also be increased in quantity by causing a small quantity of 

 steam to pass through the primary furnace, and the necessary 

 quantity of steam can be obtained by means of the heat from the 

 spent gases. This principle has been successfully applied by the 

 manager of the gasworks at Bowden, a bed of retorts being 

 heated entirely by the secondary combustion of the half-burnt 

 gases from one of the ordinary furnaces. It is obvious that the 

 principle is capable of very extensive application. A somewhat 

 similar principle applies to economy in the use of gas for illu- 

 minating purposes. The contrivances for this purpose are so 

 arranged that the gas is heated to a high temperature before it 

 reaches the mouth of the burner by means of the heated gases 

 resulting from its own combustion. It is well known that under 

 these conditions a very much better light is obtainable with the 

 same consumption of gas. There are various types of burner 

 constructed on this principle, but they are not easily adaptable 

 to the rooms of an ordinary dwelling-house. They are, however, 

 well suited for lighting large spaces. They were in use in Hol- 

 born before I left London, some five or six years ago, and I notice 

 that one form has been introduced into some few of the shops in 

 Adelaide. In this connection it may not be out of place to men- 

 tion the greatly improved simple burners (Sugg's for example), 

 which are easily obtainable at a moderate price, and can be easily 

 fitted in place of the wretchedly dim older-fashioned burners. A 

 great deal better light can be obtained by their means with a 

 smaller consumption of gas. 



CONCLUSIOX. 



Fortunately, or unfortunately, we have not yet in these colo- 

 nies reached that stage of our history in which rigid economy in 

 industrial and manufacturing processes and utilization of all 

 waste products becomes a necessity. It is a matter of history in 

 Europe that in some instances what were originally regarded as 

 waste products have become, if not the principal objects of manu- 

 facture, at least those upon which the success of the undertaking, 

 from a commercial point of view, depends. At some future time 

 this may be the case here ; at any rate, it is always useful to keep 

 in mind the fact that materials, valuable in themselves, are neg- 

 lected, because it is always possible that the knowledge that such 

 is the case may stimulate to discoveries of new processes for their 

 utilization." 



On the motion of Professor Tate, seconded Mr. Todd, Pro- 

 fessor Rennie was thanked for his address, which was referred to 

 in terms of the highest praise. 



