McManus 168

John Zuill Kay found it necessary to tender his resignation as manager and engineer of the Gas Works in October 1866.^[17] He had spent some twenty years as manager of the New Gas-Light Company and, on the death of Mr Russell (Manager of the older, Dundee Gas-Light Company), became resident engineer to both companies. At the time of his resignation some important changes were mooted surrounding the management of these private companies,  “in view of which Mr Kay intended to devote himself to his other public appointments and to private business.”

During his tenure at the works, J Z Kay made a number of innovative claims. In 1853, he proposed a solution for the cleaning and removal of deposits from public conveniences, cesspools and the like. The standing recommended method had been to use black earth. In its place, John Kay suggested using the charcoal of Boghead Coal (aka Torbane Hill mineral). Although similar to peat charcoal, he had found it very effective in removing “deleterious gases,” fixing urine or ammonia and also that it was easily pulverised – “any workman with his shovel will break it down to powder if required.” An additional benefit was in the cost – at 3s per cartload it seemed a small price to pay to spend a penny more sweetly.^[18]

1857 saw John Zuill Kay produce yet another of his inventions. He submitted an idea to the Royal Scottish Society of Arts in the form of a covering for the head, resembling a diver’s helmet, and enabling the wearer to breathe fresh air supplied by a pipe, from a distance. It was considered that the invention would have many uses -“this is very ingenious and likely to prove a very valuable contrivance.”^[19]

In 1863, an advert placed by John Zuill Kay on behalf of the Dundee Gas Light Company advised the use of pure sulphate of ammonia as an effective top dressing for grasslands, less expensive and with a higher content of ammoniacal salts than cheaper guano.^[20]

John Z Kay’s abilities to apply his skills also came into play in an aesthetic arena as well as in industrial benefits. He played a large part in the celebrations at the opening of Baxter Park. According to local reports, “the success of the illuminations in the park and at the arches in King Street and Panmure Street was greatly due to the admirable arrangements made by Mr J Z Kay, who not only afforded every facility for the display but evinced a warm interest in its success.”^[21]

Although John Zuill Kay returned to Glasgow by 1866, he had by no means severed his links to Dundee. He became a partner in the firm of Messrs Thomas Eddington & Son of the Phoenix Iron Works (an old established and eminent firm)^[22]. The firm specialised in the manufacture of cast iron pipes for gas and water supply.^[22] He was part of this firm for about ten years.^[22]

In January of 1874 a party of Commissioners from Dundee were met in Glasgow by contractors D Y Stewart & Co and Messrs Thomas Eddington & Son. The representative from Eddingtons was John Zuill Kay. His role was to demonstrate the moulding and casting of pipes at the Phoenix Iron Works. The group was witness to the first casting of the 27″ internal diameter pipes for the New Dundee Water Works from Lintrathen.^[23]

It was unfortunate, however, that some time into their contract, Messrs Thomas Eddington took Dundee Water Works to court for the withholding of payment for works carried out. The counter claim was that some of the pipes supplied were substandard. The Court found in Eddington’s favour but to a lesser amount than was being sought.

John Zuill Kay, born in Balfron, a mechanical engineer in Glasgow, made his home in Dundee for twenty years, before returning to Glasgow. There, he became a leading member of the Incorporation of Hammermen of the Glasgow Trades House. On his death, he left a considerable estate of almost £80,000.^[24]

It would appear that he never lost sight of his birthplace of Balfron, having possessed property there^[25] and that being chosen for his final resting place.

Note: Zeull^[1] / Yuille^[2] / later documents more regularly record Zuill^[6]