In all of the three cases mentioned the labour bill would have had to be increased had coal been in use everywhere. Furthermore, a gas expert tells me that with more careful use the bills could be reduced; but as one is seldom able to secure the services of experts, allowance must be made for careless usage of fuel when counting the cost.
PLATE XXXVII
A GOOD TYPE OF ELECTRIC FIRE
(Messrs. Crompton and Co.)
The Use of Gas.
Let us deal now with the question of gas, and suppose that the hot water is provided by a gas circulator, that it is, for various reasons, not feasible to put in radiators, and that a gas cooker and gas fires are used.
There are various kinds of circulators, rubbish destructors, cookers and fires, and so great has been the improvement in their mechanism and appearance that I really do not think any objection on the score of health or appearance can be made now to the use of gas. One disadvantage is, possibly, that some of the best and most modern fires and cookers cannot be hired. Still, one does not hire one's fireplaces and coal ranges, so why do we always expect to obtain gas fires and cookers on hire?
Some fires I have lately seen were really attractive, and would not spoil the effect of any room.
Readers of this book who wish to see what can be done for them by means of gas should visit the showrooms of the various gas companies, and especially those of Messrs. Davis, 60, Oxford Street, W.