the Corporation. The communication was remitted to the Lord Provost's Committee.

Athletic Association. Mr. Dane Sinclair recently presided at an enthusiastic gathering of the London staff of the National Telephone Company, at which it was decided to form a sports club, to be called "The Telephone Athletic Association." A provisional executive committee was appointed to arrange details, with Mr. T. C. Walker as treasurer and Mr. W. E. Deane as secretary, and a large number of members have already been enrolled. Whitehaven. —At the monthly meeting of the Whitehaven Town and Harbour Trust the chairman said they would observe the laying of electric mains was progressing, but the progress, unfortunately, was not quite so rapid as it ought to be, as the time expired on July 1, and there still remained a good deal of work to be done. Still the work was going on fairly regularly and rapidly, and he expected it would be finished in the course of three weeks.

Sheffield.-The Sheffield Works Sub Committee in their report, which was adopted by the Highway and Sewerage Committee, have considered the question of the transformer-chambers proposed to be constructed by the electric lighting company, and have decided to allow the company to place boxes near the Monolith, in White Bear-walk, the Market place, top of East-parade, Waterlane, Norfolk-street, and the junction of Westbar and Springstreet.

Morecambe.-At the monthly meeting of the Morecambe Local Board on Tuesday, a memorial was read from property owners in the vicinity of the electric light company's central station complaining strongly of the nuisance caused by the noise of the engines and the smell of exploded gas. The reports of the medical officer and the surveyor on the matter were also read, and it was resolved to forward the whole correspondence on the subject to the Local Government Board, asking if the Board can take the matter up.

Birmingham.-The General Purposes Committee of the Birmingham City Council had under consideration the question whether the Corporation should themselves obtain a provisional order for the supply of the electric light, and consequently oppose the extended order asked for by the Birmingham Electric Supply Company. The consideration was adjourned. The Daily Post now states that after long and careful enquiry the committee at their meeting on Monday decided that it would be inadvisable for the Corporation to undertake the supply of electricity, and will report to the Council at its next meeting in that sense

Arbitration Clause in Contracts. In a circular sent out by the London Chamber of Commerce on the 17th January last, the text of a clause for use on contracts was incorporated which provided for the reference of all disputes thereunder to the London Chamber of Arbitration. Some objection having been taken to the length of that clause, the matter has been reconsidered, with the result that the council now recommend the use by members of the following stipulation: "All disputes which may arise relating

to this contract shall be submitted to arbitration under the rules for the time being of the London Chamber of Arbitration."

Dundee.-At the last meeting of the Dundee Gas Commission, a report was submitted from Messrs. Urquhart and Small, consulting electrical engineers, London, stating that the various contracts in connection with the introduction of the electric light into Dundee had been carried out to their satisfaction. Certain alterations had been effected in the matter of details; and it was suggested that the Commission should consider an offer to have the batteries maintained for an annual payment of £80. The Commission expressed approval of the manner in which the installation had been gone about, and it was reported that the installation had cost £19,607. 12s. 7d. This includes £599. 8s. 4d, of extras, or 1 6 per cent. of the total contracts.

Bradford.-At the Bradford Town Council meeting, Mr. James Kay, deputy chairman of the Gas and Electricity Supply Committee, moved, and Mr. George Newby seconded, the adoption of the minutes, which contained particulars of correspondence and interviews with Lord Kelvin as to the mode of extending the electricity supply works, and his Lordship's report was given. It was stated that Lord Kelvin had been invited to meet the committeo in Bradford at an early date for the purpose of conferring with them before the course to be taken was determined upon, The minutes included a resolution advancing the salary of Mr. Mitchell, assistant electrical engineer, from £125 to £150 per annum. These parts of the minutes were adopted.

Stafford. At the Stafford Town Council monthly meeting the committee reported that they had had before them various names of electrical engineers, and recommended that the services of Dr. John Hopkinson, of London, be retained. Alderman W. H. Peach, in moving the adoption of the report, stated that from a list of 12 gentlemen well known in the electrical world the committee selected Dr. John Hopkinson, whose name was very well known in connection with electrical matters. He was the inventor of the three-wire system, and was a man of perhaps greater experience than anyone else whom they could possibly get. At the present time he was engaged in carrying out a large installation for the Manchester Corporation, and also a smaller one for the town of Whitehaven, and the committee felt confident in his giving a satis factory report. His fee would be 100 guineas, including expenses, and they expected a visit from him during the present week. The report was adopted.

Accrington. At the meeting of the Accrington Town Council last week, Mr. Riley asked if anything had been heard from the Local Government Board with reference to the borrowing powers for the electric light scheme. It seemed to him that the thing

had gone dead altogether. The Town Clerk replied that the matter had not gone dead; but the time of the Legal and Parliamentary Committee had of late been so much occupied with the gas and water question that they had not been able to do anything with regard to the electric light. The Local Government Board had given their sanction to the borrowing of money for the scheme. but it was not a very satisfactory sanction, as the Board had grouped the land, machinery, etc., together, and only offered the Council 25 years for repayment. That was outrageous. They ought to have the same length of time for repayment for the land for the electric light as they had for the baths-50 years—and until they had that he should not recommend the Council to accept the sanction.

Margate Hotels. The hotel accommodation of Margate has received an important addition in the erection of the Hôtel Métropole, a very fine structure facing the jetty and close to the sea, opened on June 24th. It has been erected on the site of the Grand (which was destroyed by fire two years since) and adjacent buildings, and is under the management of a limited liability company, of which Councillor W. Leach Lewis is chairman and Mr. Walter Hills solicitor. It was designed by Mr. Albert Latham, the borough engineer, and built by Mr. Jesse Goldsworthy, and consists of about 120 rooms, which have been elaborately furnished by Messrs. Edwards and Roberts, of Wardour-street. Property has also been acquired for the erection of 50 more rooms. Throughout the building the electric light is used. The sitting and other rooms overlook the sea, and the hotel will prove an additional attraction to the town. The sanitary arrangements are perfect, and baths have been provided on each floor.

Politics and the Electric Light.-At the Northampton Town Council Mr. Mills moved the Town Hall Committee's report, which contained a recommendation that the old reading-room be cleaned and done up in a plain substantial manner. Mr. Mills said that the cost of doing up the room would be about £18. There was the additional question of fitting the room up with the electric light, and the estimate for that was £30. The committee had just had a meeting and considered the electric light question, but they were not prepared to report. He believed the committee would be glad of an expression of opinion on the part of the Council on that point. A discussion ensued as to which political party were to have the use of the room. Dr. Buszard then moved that permission be not given for the electric light until a statement had been made and laid before the Council as to the uses to be made of the room when it was renovated and done up, and also the price to be charged for the use of the room. After a little discussion, Dr. Buszard withdrew the amendment at the suggestion of the Mayor, and the report with the addition of the electric light was then carried.

Eastern Telegraph Company.-The revenue for the half-year amounted to £372,852. 10s., from which are deducted £102,499. 7s. for the ordinary expenses, and £32,532. 17s. 11d. for expenditure relating to repairs and renewals of cables, etc., during the halfyear. After providing £3,263. 18s. 8d. for income tax, there remains a balance of £234,556. 6s. 5d., to which is added £62,942. 48. 4d. brought from the preceding half-year, making a total available balance of £297,498. 108. 9d. From this balance there have been paid-interest on debentures and debenture stock, £27,891. Os. 3d.; dividend on preference shares, £20,474. 1s. 8d.; an interim dividend of 2s. 6d. per share on the ordinary shares, £50,000 - £98,365. 1s. 11d.-leaving a balance of £199,133. 8s. 10d., from which £88,000 has been carried to general reserve fund. The Directors now recommend the declaration of a final dividend for the year ended March 31, 1893, of 2s. 6d. per share, and a bonus of 38. per share, amounting together to £110,000, both payable on the 13th inst., free of income tax, and making, with the three previous payments on account, a total distribution of 13s. per share, or 6 per cent. for the year on the ordinary shares.

:

Burton. --At the monthly meeting of the Burton Town Council, the Gas and Electric Committee, dealing with the electric lighting arrangements, advised that the charges for the new illuminant should be for any amount up to 20 units, 10s. per quarter; and for every unit over 20, 6d. per unit-these prices to apply to ordinary customers otherwise than by agreement. In moving the adoption of the report, Alderman Lowe said they were making good progress with the electric light works, and the erection of the building was moving rapidly. The committee had carefully considered the question of charges for the use of the light, and by the Local Government Board regulations the maximum was Sď. per unit, while the minimum price was 5d., but the committee recommended a medium figure-viz., 6d. -feeling convinced that by placing the price at that reasonable sum they would receive a large number of applications. That would make the cost equal to that of gas at 58. per 1,000 cubic feet. The report was adopted. The Finance Committee had to report that they had received the consent order of the Local Government Board, dated June 16, 1893, authorising the Town Council to create and issue stock for raising £131,641, of which £25,000 was for electric lighting.

Manchester. Mr. Charles Nickson, superintendent of the Manchester Corporation Electric Light Department, issues a report stating that the central-station buildings are now com pleted, and the following plant has been fixed in position--viz : Six steel boilers; steel tank, coaling stage, and crane; steampipe, six 90-h.p. vertical compound engines, two 360-h. p. vertical compound engines, six dynamos giving 102 volts; two dynamos giving 410 volts; and two travelling cranes. The switch and instrument boards are in course of erection. Over a mile of concrete culvert for mains have been constructed, and about 63

tons of copper strip placed therein upon porcelain insulators. Two and a half miles of cast-iron pipes have been laid, into which six miles of in, and five miles of in. insulated cable have been drawn. The works are rapidly approaching completion, and it is antici pated that a supply of current will be available by August 1. It appears that of a total authorised loan of £80,000, only £50,200 has yet been borrowed, of which £41,720 has been expended. No administration charges from the gas department are included, but there is £485 charged for engineer's advice. A proportion of administrative charges should be given for comparison with private company working.

Proposed Extension at Leeds. Although the Yorkshire House-to-House Electricity Company's works in Whitehall-road were opened so recently as May 10 last, the demand for the electric light in the city has proved so large as to necessitate an immediate increase of plant. It has been decided to put down another engine of 200 i.h.p., and a dynamo of corresponding capacity. It is anticipated that the additional plant will be ready for use in the coming winter. This addition, whilst involving an increase in capital expenditure of less than 10 per cent. (owing to the works having been constructed with a view to the allowing of easy and comparatively inexpensive additions), will increase the possible output of electricity no less than 40 per cent. It is expected that the profit-earning capabilities of the company will increase in even greater proportion, the cost per unit of electricity naturally diminishing with every increase in production. The extension necessitates the raising of additional capital, and the directors are inviting subscriptions from the existing shareholders for the balance (2,634 shares) remaining unallotted of the first issue of 10,000 ordinary shares of £5 each. The directors hold more than one-fifth of the total capital subscribed, and propose to increase their stake in the concern by at least £3,000.

Outing.-A brake outing of the employés of the Bath Electric Light Company and Messrs. Coward and Ihlee took place on Saturday, the place selected being Longleat. In the case of the first-named firm it may be mentioned that this is the first outing given to the men since the works were started, and was the outcome of the zeal and interest displayed in the welfare of the men and works generally by the new engineer and manager, Mr. G. F. Metzger, who, in conjunction with Mr F. C. Ihlee, suggested the idea of the two firms amalgamating for a day's outing. The visit to Longleat House was much enjoyed, and after lunch and sports the return journey was broken at Beckington for a social meeting. Mr. Metzger proposed the health of the directors, who had liberally contributed to the expenses. The toast of the evening was proposed by Mr. W. J. Sheppard, foreman of Messrs. Coward and Ihlee, who asked all present with him to drink success to the Bath Electric Light Company and to their new engineer and manager, Mr. Metzger, whom he was sure, with Mr. Wilson, were working very hard to make their lighting station second to none in the kingdom. Mr. Metzger responded, and in concluding desired all present in their employment to take an interest in this work, when he assured them success would sure to follow. He then proposed the firm of Messrs. Coward and Ihlee, to which Mr. F. C. Ihlee responded and trusted that all present had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Bath was reached shortly after 11.

been

Accumulators for Nelson. At the Nelson Town Council meeting last week the Gas Committee decided "that the tender of Mr. Thomas Barton for the supply of the K type No. 1 of cells made and supplied by the Electrical Power Storage Company, at £1,250, and to execute the necessary works required in conformity with the drawings and all the conditions and stipulations of the specification already issued, be accepted; the works to be completed within two months from date of order, the Electrical Power Storage Company to be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the accumulators for 12 months after fixing. Councillor Little complained that more information should have been given to members of the Council in reference to these electric accumulators than was contained in the minutes. A deputation had been paying a visit to London in reference to the accumulators, and he thought they might have supplied a printed report on the subject. Alderman Hartley said the matter had been before the full Gas Committee, which consisted of 12 members, and had thoroughly discussed by them, a report having been supplied to them by the deputation of the information they had acquired in London. The resolution that had been passed was a resolution of the Gas Committee and another of the deputation, and was passed on the information supplied by the deputation. Councillor Little maintained that a report of some sort should have been presented to those members of the Council who were not on the Gas Committee, as it was a very important question. Alderman Hartley said any member of the Council could have a copy of the subcommittee's report, which contained all the information Councillor Little asked for. The minutes were passed. The Gas Committee have fixed the charge for a 50-c p. electric lamp at £2. 10s. a year. Morley (Yorks.).—At the Morley Town Council on Monday last week the Town Hall Committee presented their minutes as follows: "It was resolved that the Town Hall be lighted by electricity, and that a special committee be appointed to report as to the advisability of obtaining powers for the supply and of making arrangements for lighting the public lamps, and supply electricity to any private person. Mr. Henry Clarke reported that the building of the Town Hall was progressing, but not so fast as he wished. The contractor ought to be induced to set more men on, and thus provide work for the other branches of the trade." Councillor Rhodes said, in moving the confirmation of the minutes, that the committee were unanimous in the recommendation that the Town Hall should be lighted with electricity. Then there was the ques

tion as to whether they should put down a plant for the purpose of supplying ratepayers with a light that desired it. A special committee ought to be appointed to give the matter their fullest consideration, and to report as to what it would cost to light the town, and also the Town Hall separately. It was a matter of very great importance. Councillor Sykes said he would second the motion if the mover would leave out the portion "that the Town Hall be lighted by electricity," and add "such committee to report separately as to the cost of lighting the Town Hall and the town." Councillor Rhodes agreed. Alderman Dixon said before long their engines at Churwell would be of no value for pumping water, and it would be a question as to whether they would be of use in a scheme like that mentioned. He considered, however, that the question had come upon them hastily, and it wanted due consideration. Councillor Rhodes remarked that the engines would be of no use for this purpose. The minutes were adopted. The following were appointed a special committee to report on the matter: Aldermen Holton, Schofield, Clough, and Wilkinson; Councillors Rhodes, Scarth, Johnson, Jackson, Scholes, Hirst, and Craven.

Cork Tramways. -A deputation, consisting of the chairman (Mr. W. Ronan, solicitor), Mr. J. W. Bourke, solicitor, Mr R U. F. Townsend, Mr. M. D. Daly, J.P., attended the meeting of the Cork Town Council on the 7th inst. with reference to the proposed tramway scheme for the city. The Standing Committee of June 7 had recommended that the use of overhead wires in connection with the propulsion of the proposed tramcars in the city by electricity should be sanctioned by Council, and the Council itself had already sanctioned the employment of electricity as a motive power, but on condition of the wires being laid underground. Mr. Farrington said that they should consider the matter well before they should take any action on it. If the wires were to be placed above the ground they might be an obstruction in many cases, such as interfering with the progress of fire-escapes in case of fire. The Mayor said that no matter what the Council would decide on the subject the matter should have to go before the Board of Trade and receive their sanction. The Board of Trade would not consent to anything that might prove dangerous to the public safety or detrimental to the their interests. For his own part, he (the Mayor) was entirely in favour of the scheme. By it a large portion of the city would be block-paved, and it would further save a great deal of expense. He thought the Council should not impede the company in any way in their project. Mr. Frazer said tramways similar to the proposed one in the city had been constructed in Bristol, Plymouth, and Edinburgh, and one also which extended for over 4,000 miles. The strength of the current of electricity in the proposed tramway system would be only 500 volts, and no danger whatever to the public would arise from it. Of course there had been accidents from time in such cases, but he felt confident that no danger would arise from the construction of tramcars in Cork. The recommendation of the Standing Committee that the wires should be placed overhead was passed unanimously, and Mr. Frazer having expressed his thanks, the deputation withdrew.

Manchester.-Sir J. Harwood, on the motion for the approval of the proceedings of the Gas Committee at the meeting of the Manchester City Council, said that one of the works of which he should be glad to be relieved was coming to a close. For many years he had had to do with the Bill which enabled the Corpora│tion to deal with all companies who wanted to establish electric lighting stations in Manchester, and finally they obtained parliamentary powers to put down an installation themselves. He had been chairman of the committee which dealt with the matter, and he was happy to say that, all being well, next Friday week they would be able to light the gas offices in the Town Hall with electricity, and he was confident that the whole of the buildings would be so lighted during the autumn. For reasons which it would not now be prudent to state, the committee had been prevented from going on with the work in the Town Hall in the way they would very much have desired, but they were doing the best they could. He desired particularly to congratulate the Council upon having succeeded in putting down an installation second to none in the kingdom, and perhaps second to none in the world. They would be able in a fortnight or three weeks to begin supplying electricity over a very large part of the city. Many public buildings would, it was understood, be lighted by electricity. The committee were very much pleased with the efficient way in which the work had been carried out. The dynamos would be turned round this week, and the engines and everything connected with the installation were most beautiful. He wanted to say to the public that it was not intended that to any extent whatever the Corporation should supply fittings for buildings. They intended to supply electricity in the streets precisely in the same way and to the same extent as they supplied gas to-day. The only exception was in the matter of meters. The committee would supply meters. As regarded those meters he unhesitatingly said that they were very expensive and not satisfactory, and at any day they might be superseded by something that was satisfactory. They hoped the day was near when the scientific men who were trying to find a meter that would be much more reliable than those now in use would be successful. The minutes of the committee were passed.

Telephones and Electric Traction. With the exception of those in the electrical industry, and interested parties generally, few people are aware, says the Pall Mall Gazette, what important issues are bound up in the report which Lord Cross's joint committee is now discussing in private. For years past the National Telephone Company, which works under license from the Post Office, has applied for the insertion in all Tramway Bills of a clause securing its lines against disturbance from earth leakage or elec

trical induction in the event of electricity being used as a motive power for the tramways. The telephone is such an extremely delicate instrument, and the system of earth return which the National Company still uses affords such facilities for disturbance, that the protection clauses, as worded, are claimed by many to have been almost prohibitive to the development of electric traction in England. It is between these two great interests-electric traction and the telephone - that the settlement really lies, though the question has been complicated by other issues affecting the disturbance of railway signals, corrosion of water pipes, etc. If the committee appointed at the instance of the Board of Trade to decide upon the matter give their opinion in favour of the traction companies, a very marked change in the external conditions of our streets and cities may be looked for in a few years. Omitting all discussion as to the possible merits of different systems of electric traction, there is only one which at the present day has made its way to any large extent. This is the overhead trolley system, which is being worked on many hundreds of miles of road in America, and is being continually extended at an enormous rate. Two specimens only are to be seen in England-at Leeds and at Walsall respectively in both of which places disturbances have arisen, either as regards the telephone company or the railway companies. But the general testimony of the public is so strongly in favour of lines of this class, which are clean, swift, and free from all the horrors of maimed and struggling animals which now disgrace our streets, that one cannot help but hope for a change in the legislation affecting electrical powers which shall make their introduction financially possible With the impetus thus given to electric traction generally, there is little doubt that isolated vehicles of a more modern and graceful type would rapidly supersede the antiquated 'growler" and the frisky hansom which pervade our streets.

Aberdeen Northern Co-operative Company.-A meeting of the shareholders of the Northern Co-operative Company was held last week at Aberdeen specially to consider the question of mechanical heating and electric lighting of the Company's central premises. The chairman (Mr. Jas. Doig) read the requisition of the 24 shareholders to consider these schemes which had been resolved upon by the directors, and which they (the signatories) "feared the expense would be rather heavy." After explaining the principles of mechanical heating, he concluded by saying that what he wanted to make out was that the matter had been fully considered by the committee, the Board, and professors on ventilation and electric lighting, and whether they could get a better elucidation of the matter at a general meeting attended by a good many people who did not know where the buildings were, what they were there for, or what required to be done, would be brought out before the meeting ended. Mr. Knight Forbes, convener of the Building Committee, having read the report of the Drapery and Buildings Joint Committee on the suggested alterations and improvements, the chairman read the report of the Buildings Committee on the question of the introduction of electric lighting, which bore that Prof. Kennedy, of London, estimated the cost of all the apparatus necessary for supplying 500 8-c. p. electric lamps, exclusive of wiring, at £625. In calculating the expenses of production, he allows 5 per cent. for interest, 5 per cent. for depreciation, £70 per annum for a mechanic, £32 for coal, £10 for oil, waste, and stores, and £30 for renewals and maintenance; altogether, £202. If to the above be added the cost of wiring-which, according to the estimate of Messrs. Holmes and Co., Newcastle, would be £625, and allowing 5 per cent. for interest, and 5 per cent. for depreciation-the cost of production would be £264 or thereby per annum. The committee learned that the gas bill for the past 12 months was £204, and if the additional gas required at the new premises facing Gallowgate were added, which they estimated will amount to £92 (making altogether a gas bill for the central premises of £296), there would be a saving in favour of electric light of £32. Mr. Hunter, engineer (one of the directors), said that the Scottish Wholesale Society had introduced an installation of over 2,000 lights. If that society had seen their way to adopt electricity when gas was cheaper in Glasgow than in Aberdeen, he did not see why the Northern Co-operative Company should not do the same. Mr. William Milne, Victoria-street, strongly opposed the introduction of electric lighting. Treasurer Bisset said that although every private individual could not manufacture electric light so cheaply as he could get it from the city, if the Co-operative Company took it in conjunction with their ventilation scheme, he was satisfied that they could manufacture a light better suited for their purpose than the gas they were at present supplied with. After some further discussion the meeting terminated.

Portsmouth.-At the Portsmouth Town Council last week, the Electric Lighting Committee submitted the tenders received for the electric lighting mains and the various fittings and accessories. Eight tenders in all had been received in time, and of these five provided for armoured cables for the high-tension mains and arc light conductors being laid direct in the ground, and a drawing-in system for the low-tension mains, while the other three provided a drawing-in system for all the mains. The five tenders providing for armoured cables gave the following fixed prices: British Insulated Wire Company, £10.344; Silvertown Company, £10,385; Callender Company, £10,639; Siemens Bros. and Co., £10,706; W. T. Henley's Telegraph Works Company, £10,907. The three tenders providing for a drawing-in system were: International Electric Subway Company, £10,504; W. T. Glover and Co., £12,465. 78. 8d ; Reid Bros, £12,488. Adding to these several sums the estimated cost of the fittings and accessories according to the schedule of prices in each tender, the amounts were as follows: On the first five tenders: British Insulated Wire Company, £11,673. 10s.; Callender Company, £12,537; Silvertown Com

pany, £12,712; Siemens Bros., £13,407; W. T. Henley's Company, £14,579. On the other three tenders: International Electric Subway Company, £12,043; W. T. Glover and Co., £15,221. 78. 8d.; Reid Bros., £15,244. After consideration, the committee came to the conclusion that, looking at the small difference in cost, it would be better to provide for a drawing-in system for all the mains, as with this system it would scarcely ever be necessary to reopen the roads or footways after the cables had been once laid, and the committee therefore recommended that the tender of the International Electric Subway Company be accepted at the fixed price, and that the committee be authorised to order the fittings and accessories under the contract at their schedule of prices. Under the contract with Messrs. Yates and Thom, and S. Z. de Ferranti, Limited, there was a schedule of prices for transformers and other fittings, and the committee recommended that they be authorised to give orders under this schedule to the extent of £3,000. The committee recommended that a certificate from the engineers for £500 in favour of Mr. T. W. Quick in respect to the electric light station be paid; and also that the common seal be affixed to the contracts with Messrs. Yates and Thom, and S. Z. de Ferranti, Limited, and Messrs. C. A. Parsons and Co. for the supply of electrical plant. Alderman Ellis, in moving the adoption of the first clause, announced that the International Electric Subway Company's tender had been altered to £12,000, and their tender, including all accessories, from £12,043 to £13,539. That day the committee had arrived at the last contract for completing the installation entrusted to their care, and notwithstanding the fact that they had procured the best possible machinery of the most improved make, and including the cost of the mains, the total amount would be considerably less than the estimated sum. Mr. Ross seconded. Mr. Light thought that as the first tender of the International Company was wrong, it should be thrown out. Alderman Scott Foster said that the committee were satisfied that the mistake was boná fide, a lump sum of £3,000 for excavations having been inadvertently omitted. He dwelt upon the superiority of the subway system over that of iron pipes, and while admitting that it was inconvenient to have to amend a tender, pointed out that under existing circumstances it would be advantageous to the Council to act in accordance with the proposal of the chairman of the committee. Ultimately the report was agreed to.

St. Albans.-At the meeting of the St. Albans City Council, Mr. Toulmin moved: "That it is expedient that the city be lighted by electricity, and that a committee be appointed to consider and report what steps should be taken for carrying out the work." In bringing the resolution before the Corporation, Councillor Toulmin said that by the courtesy of Mr. Longmore, the town clerk of Hertford, he had been supplied with an excellent report of a committee which had been appointed by the Corporation there to consider this matter. A capable engineer had been consulted by that committee, and they reported that they were thoroughly convinced of the advantages of electrical energy for lighting purposes, and they had no hesitation in recommending the Corporation to embark upon this undertaking that of supplying electric light to the town as they felt sure it would prove to be a paying concern, and a source of considerable income to the borough. They also reminded the Corporation that electric lighting was no longer in its infancy, but it had been tried and found successful in many places. Continuing his remarks, Councillor Toulmin said that, looking at the estimate of the cost of lighting the streets this year, he found it was £940, and that seemed to him to be a considerable sum. He believed that if they went systematically to work, and picked the brains of other authorities and profited by the experience of other towns, they would be able to carry this out in such a way as to reflect considerable credit on the town and materially benefit the residents. It was well worth making an effort to obtain the advantages which resulted from an installation of the electric light. There were many facts and figures which he was prepared to bring before the Council, but he would not trouble them that evening. He proposed, therefore, that the Mayor, Alderman Miskin, Councillors Rowden, Bennett, Hurlock, Hitchcock, and Gibson be appointed a committee to consider and report on the subject. Mr. H. P. Smith seconded. Mr. Barnard objected to such an important subject being brought forward, as this had been, at a monthly meeting, without having previously been considered in committee. His opinion was that this subject should first have been brought before the Urban Sanitary Committee. He proposed as an amendment that this matter should be referred to that committee. He thought that they should proceed very carefully, particularly when it was remembered how great a failure had been the attempt to light Barnet by elec tricity. Mr. Hurlock thought the work ought to be done by a private company. Mr. Smith said he quite agreed that the time had not arrived for St. Albans to be lighted by electricity, but he did take strong exception to the statement that it should be left to a private company to step in and supply electric light to the city. When electric light came down to the price of gas, the Council would be bound to take it up. He wished that former corporations had been more enterprising, as if they had been the water supply and gasworks would be in the hands of the Corporation, and the profits arising from them would have paid half the rates. They must see that when the time arrived a private company did not step in, and the profits, as in the case of the waterworks, go to those who resided outside the city. The waterworke and gasworks ought to belong to the ratepayers, who should profit by the receipts. He was certainly in favour of a committee being appointed, as proposed by Councillor Toulmin, to enquire and not to act, because if were proposed to do anything definite beyond obtaining information, he should not have agreed to the appointment of the committee. After further discussion, the resolution

was carried in an amended form, and the Council then went into committee.

Torquay. - Mr. W. H. Trentham, electrical engineer, of Bristol, has been engaged by the Torquay Town Council to inspect the town and report on the ways and means of lighting it by electricity. In his report to the Council he advises the adoption of the Bath Saloons as the site of the central station. There no expense would be necessary for buildings, saving the town £3,000, or £200 a year. To avoid the smoke nuisance he suggests that gas should be used, or that the boilers should be fired by gas generated in a regenerative furnace. After careful enquiries, Mr. Trentham has come to the conclusion that 1,500 lamps of 16 c.p. would be taken up immediately the current was available. This estimate is independent of the hotels, which, he thinks, would certainly require not less than another 1,000 16-c.p. lamps. His advice is that provision in the first instance should be made for 3,000 lamps of the power indicated. These would require about 420 i.h.p., which might be advantageously divided between three engines, each indicating 120 h.p., and one small engine of 60 h. p. Owing to the length of the streets (5,500 yards), a low-pressure system would be unsuitable. He estimated that high pressure mains, including low-pressure connecting mains between the transformers, would cost about £5,000, while the cost of low-pressure network and feeders, allowing the usual losses, would be about £15,000. If the Bath Saloon site was adopted as the central site, he recommends the employment of steam-engines for the heavy work between dusk and 10 p.m., and a 60-h.p. gas-engine for the remainder of 24 hours. The approximate cost of steam plant, with gas engine for day-lighting, would be £17,403; and of maintenance £3,100. While making provision for street-lighting, Mr. Trentham says there could be no object in altering the present mode of illumination generally. He proposes that 16 arc lamps be provided, one being at the top of Lower Union-street, another outside the Town Hall, one at the corner of Abbey-place and Fleet-street, two at Ellacombe Green and Market Corner respectively, five in new Pleasure Gardens, and the remainder distributed between Beacon Hill, Victoria-parade, Torwoodstreet, and the Strand. These lamps would cost £20 each, or £320 per annum, and would displace about £45 gas-lamps costing about £225 a year, and giving some 1,130 c. p. against 11.000 c. p. given by the arc lamps. The revenue per annum, taking the current at 6d. per unit, and including £320 for the arc lamps, would be about £3,320; at 7d., £3,829; at 8d., £4,320; not allowing for any revenue from meters and motors, cooking apparatus, etc. The electric current at 6d, per unit is approximately at the same rate as gas at 48. 5d. per 1.000ft.; but in practice it is found so easy to economise the light by at once turning it out when not required, that the price in actual use is practically equal to gas at 3s. per 1,000ft. Mr. Trentham suggests, however, that the price be fixed at first at 7d. per unit (equal to 3s. 6d. per 1,000 for gas), and that discounts be allowed according to the number of hours the light has been in use. He adds to his report: "It is probably hardly necessary for me to urge strongly the advisability of the Council carrying out this work and retaining their powers in the face of the monopoly enjoyed by gas companies. Electric lighting will pay its way from the commencement, and afterwards prove a very important source of revenue." He advises the Council to on no account transfer their provisional order, whether it is decided to carry out the installation at once or not.

Aberdeen.-Very satisfactory progress is being made with the preliminary work in connection with the electric lighting, says the Aberdeen paper. Some little time ago we chronicled the commencement of operations for the erection of the generating station in Cotton-street, whence the supply of electricity will be distributed over the city. At present the walls of the buildings are 4ft. or 5ft. above ground; with dry, open weather rapid progress with the work may be expected. While this has been going on in connection with the buildings, a commencement has also been made with the laying of the copper mains for conveying the electricity through the streets. The pavement has been opened from the station in Cotton-street along Castle-terrace, and the mains-enclosed in a watertight concrete culvert-have been laid half-way along the terrace. So far, attention has been directed to the laying of mains for the supply of the incandescent light only for private lighting; at a meeting of the Gas Committee of the Town Council, a proposal was brought forward with reference to the supply of electricity for the arc light in view of the lighting of the streets also. Treasurer Bisset suggested that advantage might be taken of the opening of the pavements to lay a pipe with a cable in view of the lighting of the streets by the arc system. The suggestion was generally approved by the committee, and it was resolved to approach the Council on an early date for authority to proceed with the work. Should the desired authority be given, Prof. Kennedy will, in all probability, again visit Aberdeen and report upon the scheme. As indicated, the scheme which is at present in progress is for private lighting alone-that is, for the supply of light and power, if required, to houses, shops, etc., along the line of the mains, in the same way that gas is now supplied. The area through which mains are to be laid at present is the central part of the city, comprising Castle and Union streets, Union-terrace, the Viaduct, School-hill, St. Nicholas street, Broadstreet, Market-street, and part of the quay. At some future date the mains will be extended to the western part of the city. The system is a low-tension one, and the current is carried, whenever possible, by bare copper strips laid on porcelain insulators set in a concrete trough or culvert. The culvert will in all cases be under the pavement; where it is necessary to go into the road, and at all street crossings, insulated cable is to

The

be used, drawn into cast-iron pipes. Brick inspection-boxes will be built in the pavement to enable all joints to be made and inspected, and to take off the services to the houses. boxes will be closed by a cast-iron top, faced with cement. The generating station in Cotton-street forms part of the gasworks. The engine and boiler rooms are on the ground-level, and the battery-room is above the engine-room. In the boiler-room are to be four boilers arranged to burn gas coke. In the engine-room are five high-speed steam-engines, three of 80 h.p. each, and two of 40 h.p., each driving a dynamo direct, without ropes or belts. The switchboard, by which the regulation and distribution of the current are carried out, is in the engineroom, and is arranged so that the engineer in charge has full control of the system. The engine-room is large enough to admit of a large increase of the supply over that now contemplated, and the arrangement of pipes and machinery is such that the chance of any stoppage of the supply by breakdown is reduced to a minimum. The buildings for the station have been designed by Mr. Alexander Smith, the superintendent of the gas department. The Electric Construction Corporation of Wolverhampton are the contractors for the machinery in the station, Messrs. Siemens Bros. for the switchboard, and Messrs. Scott and Sellar, of Aberdeen, are now carrying out the work of laying the main.

The Blackpool Tramway.-In the minutes of the Blackpool Electric Lighting Committee of June 23 was a resolution to the effect that Mr. John Hesketh, borough electrical engineer, be relieved from the traffic management of the tramways; that Mr. John Lancaster be appointed traffic manager; and that Mr. Hesketh be desired to retain the control of the electric arrangements connected with the tramways, and of the bookkeeping as at present outside the treasurer's department. At the Town Council meeting when this was discussed, Mr. Bibby said he should like to know if Mr. Hesketh was going to retain the £50 which had been paid to him for the management of the tramway. He moved that the resolution be referred back for further consideration Mr. Pearson said the committee had gone into the whole of the circumstances connected with the alteration proposed It was a very delicate point to raise in Council. Mr. Hesketh had had control of the electrical arrangements, and had also acted as traffic manager. There was no alteration proposed except that Mr. Lancaster should be made responsible for the conduct of the traffic, thereby relieving Mr. Hesketh. The Council voted him £50 for doing the work temporarily. Mr. Bibby said if Mr. Lancaster had the additional responsibility he ought to have a certain proportion of the payment. Mr. Mather agreed. Mr. Parkinson, in rectifying one or two mis-statements which had, he believed, been made through ignorance, remarked that at present it was impossible for any man to work the trams satisfactorily. If they thought £50 more than paid for the work Mr. Hesketh did, they did not know the value of labour. He anticipated that a division of the work would cause confusion. They had better maintain the present system until the summer was over, and then spend £4,000 or £5,000 on a system which could be used satisfactorily. If they did not give full facilities for carrying out work, they could blame nobody. Mr. Councillor Pearson considered that Mr. Hesketh's duties had multiplied so as to make it absolutely necessary to relieve him from the management. The receipts showed a net increase of something like £400 up to the last meeting upon the previous year's work, but as no alteration in the system could be made before the end of the season, complaints would be general for some time to come. In reference to the above it is interesting to give the original discussion on this appointment in December, 1892: Extract from the electric lighting and tramway minutes: "That a sum of £50 be allowed to Mr. Hesketh, as the general manager of the Blackpool tramways for the period from the 9th of September, 1892, to the attention to the sum of £50 recommended to be given to Mr. John 9th of September, 1893.' Mr. Councillor Bickerstaffe called Hesketh for managing the electric tramways. In his opinion something ought to be shown as to the result of the working of the trams before they started to increase salaries. The Mayor said that Mr. Hesketh was asked to take over the management of the trams, but although it was not provided at the time that he should have any remuneration, it was thought that he should be paid extra The payment of £50 was for his services as manager of the tramways for one year, to date from September last. He thought that this was little enough payment for the extra work Mr. Hesketh had done. Mr. Alderman Bickerstaffe said that subsequent to the appointment of Mr. Hesketh as required a general manager. They considered that they could not electrical engineer, the Corporation bought the tramways and have a better man than Mr. Hesketh, and they therefore appointed him their general manager. When he told them that the general manager of the old company received £150 per year, and when they considered that Mr. Hesketh had only £50 per year for the same duties, surely they would not say that the Corporation was paying too much for the work. This was not an increase of salary, but merely payment for extra work outside his duties as electrical engineer, etc."

Richmond (Surrey).-The following report was presented to the Richmond Town Council meeting by the Electric Lighting Committee: "Mr. Shoolbred's account has been thoroughly gone into by the committee, with the result that the town clerk has been instructed to write Mr. Shoolbred to say that after having carefully examined his account and the resolution relating to his appointment, they are prepared to recommend the Council to pay him the sum of 100 guineas, the committee being of opinion that this sum is fully equal to what he would be entitled to receive under the arrangement come to. The committee further report