REVIEW

cuts the motor out of circuit and for a short period passes the current of the motor battery through the clutch-withdrawing magnet of the large poise. The large poise is now released from the motor and (although the latter may continue to run by momentum for some seconds) is instantly stopped and held by its pawl, against its return spring.

the load (in 99 cases out of 100 this will be the case), consequently the steelyard will drop from the upper and rest on the lower contact screw of the end carrier. A battery circuit will then be closed, including the brake on the end carrier, small poise, rear switch, and the small poise pawl magnet. The latter will then lift the pawl, and the small poise will then run back

178

until by balancing the load the free end of steelyard rises from the lower contact. The instant the steelyard rises into equilibrium, the pawl will engage and hold the small poise. The dials will now indicate the correct weight. Should the small poise run too far back, the rise of the steelyard to the upper jaw will again close the motor and clutch circuits, and the small poise will again travel outward to obtain equilibrium.

The poises therefore cannot come to rest until they have obtained such a position on the steelyard that the latter remains in perfect equilibrium between the two jaws of the end carrier, in other words, the machine itself insists on a perfectly true balance, and is practically incapable of indicating an incorrect weight.

On removing the goods from the platform the steelyard drops on to the lower contact of carrier and the small poise pawl is lifted (as mentioned above) allowing the small poise to run backwards on the rail until it strikes its own rear switch. The latter being pressed back by poise cuts out the small poise magnet from the circuit and includes instead of it the large poise pawl magnet. The large poise pawl is thereupon lifted, and the large poise travels back until it strikes against its own rear switch lever, the latter being pressed back breaks the circuit completely. The two poises are now at zero, both batteries are on open circuit, and the machine is ready for a fresh load. The operation of weighing is performed by the machine in a small fraction of the time it takes to describe it. A perfect equilibrium is obtained in from 6 to 12 seconds after loading the platform, while 2 or 3 seconds suffice for the return of the poises to zero on removing the load. It will thus be apparent that the entire action of the machine is perfectly automatic.

The essential point in the construction of the machine is that with any load on the platform the poise or poises will not come to rest until they have obtained the exact positions on the steelyard that enable them to balance the load. The machine thus automatically insists on a perfect equilibrium, before its revolving dials will stop permanently at any group of figures. In the designing of a machine of this description it will be evident that a large number of points have to be considered.

In the Snelgrove weighing machine the whole of the electro-magnetic mechanism is attached to the steelyard itself, which is then as free to vibrate or oscillate as one of the usual pattern. This is a very important matter from a weighing engineer's point of view. Moreover, the mechanism must be so designed that no revolving or reciprocating parts can, when in motion, cause fluctuations in the centre of gravity or balance of the steelyard.

A multiple arrangement of poises (without which fine indications would be impossible on a steelyard of any reasonable length) requires that the large poise shall only come to rest exactly at pre-determined points, and as a variation in the resting point of th of an inch might make an error on the platform of half a hundredweight, it is practically impossible with any system of direct gearing to carry the poise out and stop it with such exactness.

In the Snelgrove machine, however, the most absolute accuracy is attained by ensuring the slight overrunning of the poises, and the return of them and fixture at the pre-determined points by the elastic power of the helical return springs. One more point may be noted, and that is the brake on the free end of steelyard.

This, at first sight, would appear to impair the sensitiveness of the balance, but it is not so. It was found that frequently, when actually balanced by the poises, the momentum of the falling steelyard would carry it to the lower jaw, and consequently close the return circuit, resulting in waste of time. The brake shown is so arranged that it is held by its electromagnet, which is in circuit with both jaws of carrier quite clear of the steelyard end, at the moment of the latter attaining equilibrium; but applies itself immedotely the steelyard breaks contact with either jaw,

hecks the momentum and limits the oscillation. electric current required to operate the machine

[AUGUST 16, 1889.

is supplied by a small constant battery, concealed in the base, for the usual intermittent work on an ordinary weighbridge. Leclanché cells have been found very satisfactory.

The electric connections and current switches require no attention or manipulation whatever, as they are automatically controlled by the machine itself, on placing the goods to be weighed upon the platform, the machine itself closes the electric circuit, and thus obtains the current necessary to operate its mechanism. The attendant, therefore, beyond placing the goods on the platform, does not touch the machine.

The entire cycle of operations, switching on the current, balancing the machine, indicating the discovered weight in a single group of figures, returning the mechanism to zero when the goods are removed, and finally switching off the current when the weighing is finished to prevent waste being completely performed by the machine itself.

Messrs. Buller, Jobson & Co.-This firm has erected a group of wrought iron tubular standards with wrought iron channel iron arms, for carrying insulators on roofs of houses; these are supported on two imitation roofs, and are fitted with upwards of 400 of their white and brown porcelain terminal and intermediate insulators of the most approved patterns.

In addition to the above they show a wooden telegraph pole with cross arms fitted with Cordeaux's patent screwed double shed white porcelain insulators, as supplied to the Postmaster-General for many years, and for the mannfacture of which they are the sole licensees. They also show telegraph poles entirely of iron (as supplied for abroad), fitted with various kinds of brackets, clips, and insulators, and a Johnson's patent driving pole for rapid erection of telegraph lines, and a large assortment of special pattern insulators and ironwork for telegraphic and telephonic line work.

Galloways, Limited.-This firm, in addition to the two boilers to be seen in action in the machinery annexe, show another at Stand No. 6, with fittings complete, as generally sent out. This boiler is 26 feet long by 6 feet 6 inches diameter, contains 27 Galloway tubes, and is capable of evaporating 5,000 lbs. of water per hour; and with an ordinary compound condensing engine, requiring 20 lbs. of water per H.P. per hour, will drive 250 indicated horse. At Messrs. Galloways, which are the largest boiler works in the world, there are generally 50 or 60 of these boilers either complete or in process of completion, the production averaging over one per day.

Thonet Brothers.-A novel electrolier is to be seen at this exhibit formed of bent wood, after the style of the rocking chairs and other furniture made of bent wood in Austria, and largely used in this country.

Mr. Julius Sax.-A good miscellaneous exhibit has been arranged by Mr. Sax, comprising bells to suit a variety of requirements, burglar and fire alarms, electric clocks, time bells, water gauges, billiard markers, carriage communicators, gas lighters and lightning conductors. The display is one of the most varied and interesting in the building.

Messrs. Appleton, Burbey and Williamson.-At this stand is a good collection of samples of the special classes of fittings manufactured by the firm. The main and distributing switchboards are fitted throughout with their patent adjustable contact switches, and are designed so that all the circuits throughout a large building can be easily controlled and tested. Their main switches, with patent adjustable contacts, being designed for large currents, have ample contact surface in each size, and are substantially constructed. China switches, lamp holders, fuses and ceiling roses are shown in great variety, the ornamentation of some of them being strikingly pretty. Amongst other patterns of fuses is a new single-pole fuse, specially constructed to prevent leakage from the fixing screws. Any of these china fittings can be supplied with patent metal covers spun over the china ones, so that while all the advantages of a china cover are secured, the metal gives a more artistic appearance, and can be made to correspond with any fittings. Some beautiful speci

mens of decorated china shades for pendant fittings are also shown here, and the wrought iron brackets and other fittings show good workmanship. Linings for battery boxes are made by this firm of a material perfectly acid-proof, and a good insulator which can be worked up into linings of any form and size, the joints being made with a solvent which dissolves the surfaces of the two pieces, which under pressure unite, and form a solid joint. Being extremely light, these cases form in combination with an outer cell of wood or thin metal, a useful and durable battery box for portable shiplighting, launch, tramway, and other purposes, where weight is an important consideration.

REVIEWS.

Useful Rules and Tables. By W. J. M. RANKINE. With Electrical Engineering Tables and Formula, by A. JAMIESON. Seventh edition. Thoroughly revised by W. J. MILLAR. London: Charles Griffin & Co. The electrical portion of this book, although it has undergone revision, has hardly been brought to as practically useful a shape as might be desired. Although no doubt it is exceedingly difficult to determine what is and what is not really useful matter, sufficient discretion has, we think, hardly been used in the present

case.

There is, we consider, far too much mechanical data referring to submarine cables, and pages 416 to 430 savour too much of Prof. Jamieson and too little of generalities; as we pointed out in the pages of the REVIEW when the paper, of which the pages referred to are a reprint, appeared, there were blunders in the same. The whole of the electrical matter, though it undoubtedly adds to the utility of the book, does not impress one with the idea that any particular care has been exercised in selecting material; at the same time, there is much that is commendable in it.

Incandescent Wiring Handbook, with 35 illustrations and five tables. By F. B. BADT, late First Lieutenant Royal Prussian Artillery. First edition. Electrician Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1889.

Mr. Badt, being encouraged by the ready sale met with by his former manuals, "The Dynamo Tenders' Handbook" and "Bellhangers' Handbook," was induced to turn his attention to the subject of incandescent wiring, and the result of his labours has culminated in the production of the practical little treatise under notice.

The object he kept in view was to prepare a handbook comprising practical rules for determining the proper sizes of wires to be used in installations, so that a given current can be carried, without danger and with a given loss of potential, to any required distance; to give instructions and hints concerning the various methods of running the wires, with the best manner of doing so; and to phrase his whole work that it should be comprehensible by the ordinary mechanic.

The book opens with an introductory explanation of the several methods of wiring for electric lighting; of these only two are considered reliable for incandescent work within buildings-viz., the "multiple arc system" and "the three-wire system," the advantages of which are set forth in separate chapters.

Concise instructions will be found for cleat, moulding, and concealed work. As all wiring, for the sake of neatness, should be of the latter class, it cannot be too strongly urged upon architects to make provision, in all new erections, for the future running of electric wires; and the author throws out several suggestions as to the manner in which accommodation can be afforded for the subsequent laying of these wires. The description of a little device, which is called a "fishing hook," for facilitating the laying of wires under a floor, incidentally reveals the fact that carpenters in America are equally partial to concealed work as their brethren in England, and consider that the spaces between the floor joists are intended for the disposal and concealment of all the rubbish that accumulates during their work.

179

The next portion of the handbook treats of the location of safety devices and switches, and is accompanied by diagrams showing complete details of model circuits on the "Tree" and also on the "Closet system; the switches and cut-outs being fully represented in their proper positions.

It is somewhat perplexing, at most times, for a stranger to grasp the meaning of the word "bug' when employed by one of our cousins from the other side of the Atlantic; but the difficulty will be further increased by the application of that ill-savoured name to a species of fusible cut-out for the protection of groups of lights. Joints in wires should always be soldered, and the use of acid is recommended in place of rosin, not that a good joint made with rosin is inferior to the acid joint, but the joints as commonly made with rosin are so poor, that it is preferable to run the risk of a joint occasionally failing through the action of the acid. Some day there is a hope that workmen may be obtained who will be able to solder securely with a rosin flux; but pending this, why is not Venice turpentine tried?

In addition to a set of safety rules for fixing electric wires, a chapter is devoted to insulation and testing for faults, in which an illustration is given of a lineman's detector, with one dry cell, capable of detecting any fault under a resistance of 15,000 ohms.

Some useful wrinkles are to be found in a chapter on the wiring of elevators.

Preceded by a few electrical data, we come to the important section of the book, on the calculation of the proper sizes of wires. Starting upon the basis that one foot of pure copper wire 1 circular mil. in cross-section, at the temperature of 75° Fah., has a resistance of 10.79 ohms, the author gradually and simply works up his subject step by step; every step is clearly explained by a set of rules, which are further exemplified by suppositive examples fully figured out. The wiring formula being finally written :

d2 = N X D X K;

or the size of wire in circular mils. = number of lamps length of wire in feet x constant. The constant K is found from the formula:

K =

21.58

100

X

per cent. of loss of potential. r hot lamp per cent of loss of potential. For the convenience of those persons who do not like calculating their own quantities, three charts or tables are appended to the handbook. These tables are constructed for use with lamps of 55, 75 and 110 volts, taking respectively 10, 7338 and 5 of an ampère for a light of 16 candles, and the proper size of wire for a given loss of potential can be seen at a glance.

The results obtained from the tables and the above formula are not, of course, strictly accurate, as no account has been reckoned of temperature effects; the latter have not been overlooked, however, and another table, No. 1, has been calculated to meet this, on the assumption that a rise of 30° Fah. above the normal temperature gives a safe carrying capacity for any wire. The table includes wires varying in diameter from 50 mils. to 460 mils., and the safe ampère capacity, as well as the number of lamps of the afore-mentioned voltages. The size of wire as found by the loss of potential tables must be compared with No. 1, to ascertain whether it is a safe size to use.

There are numerous persons connected with electric lighting to whom this little manual should be of undoubted service. A copy of it should be in the hands of all workmen employed in internal wiring, and of all those who intend to follow that branch of the profession. The knowledge to be gained from its study should render many a man a valuable assistant, where at present he is only a troublesome and perhaps ignorant labourer.

In the next edition, and it will not be long before it is issued, we might suggest as an addition, which would greatly enhance the value of the book as a comprehensive treatise, a chapter on the effect of various insulating materials in modifying the rise of temperature in wires carrying heavy currents. We feel, however, that the book as it is will meet a real want.

180

NOTES.

Electric Lighting at Poole and Bournemouth.At last week's meeting of the Poole Town Council, letters were stated to have been received from the Anglo-American Brush Electric Light Corporation, Limited, and the Electric Construction and Maintenance Company, seeking the consent of the council to applications for provisional orders made to the Board of Trade, in pursuance of the Electric Lighting Acts, 1882 and 1888, authorising the supply of electricity within certain portions of the borough. On the proposition of Mr. Styring, seconded by Mr. K. Aldridge, the necessary consent was given. Three similar applications also came before the Bournemouth Improvement Commissioners, when a committee of the whole Board recommended that the Lighting Committee should be requested to collect information and report to the Board on the matter. This recommendation was approved.

Bradford Electric Lighting.-The Bradford electric lighting works are now almost completed, and it is expected that the system will be formally inaugurated in a week or two. The Chairman of the Electric Lighting Committee is endeavouring to secure the presence of Sir William Thomson at the opening ceremony. Connections have been made with a large number of shops, &c., along the routes of the mains. May the installation prove an entire success.

Hotel Lighting.-The new Midland Railway Station and hotel at Bradford will be opened about the end of September. The hotel, which will rank next in importance to St. Pancras on the Midland Railway system, is being lighted by the electric light. The installation is being carried out by the company's telegraph engineer, Mr. Langdon.

City Electric Lighting-Another Delay.-Once again, says the City Press, have the Commissioners of Sewers postponed the question of electric lighting. Tenders were received so long ago as May 10th last, and after long and tedious negotiations extending over three months, terms with three great companies had been agreed, and all seemed to promise well. But the party for delaysome of whom oppose electric light in any form, and some of whom are not interested in the companies selected-managed first to divide the Court equally, and at length to adjourn the debate, after a confession by the solicitor that he did not know anything of the terms arranged. Whatever motive may have induced this adjournment, its occurrence is most regrettable, and may lead to serious consequences. The ratepayers and the public are ill-served by such discussions as took place at the last meeting, which may lead to a reconsideration of the whole position. If the Commissioners of Sewers, who assert certain powers, do not exercise those powers, it must not be forgotten that at our door is another body which claims to be the local authority for the whole metropolis, and is perfectly ready to enforce that assumption by enthusiastic efforts.

The Electric Light for Cowpen Township.-Messrs. Nicholson and Jennings, of Newcastle and London, commenced an agreement with the Cowpen Local Board yesterday to light the township with 18 lamps of 2,000 candle-power each for £525 per annum. This change has been brought about by the Board failing to come to terms with the Blyth Gas Company. Blyth still adheres to the old gas system.

The Electric Light in Paris.-At last Friday's sitting of the Paris Municipal Council it was stated that the electric lighting now being tried on the Boulevards was only partially satisfactory. From the long discussion which took place before the Council, says a Parisian contemporary, it appears that the concessionary companies have done next to nothing.

[AUGUST 16, 1889.

Paddington Lighting.-At the meeting of the Paddington Vestry on the 6th inst. Mr. Mark Judge moved: "That inasmuch as the Electric Lighting Committee when authorised on November 6th, 1888, to engage the services of Prof. Forbes, F.R.S., at the cost of one hundred guineas, was instructed to report to the Vestry not later than March 30th, 1889, and has now, without presenting any report, adjourned its sittings until after the recess, the said committee be requested to submit their report to the Vestry at the ordinary meeting on September 17th; further, that in the event of no report being then forthcoming, the reference to the committee be discharged, and that the Vestry do then and there proceed to consider what steps should be taken to prepare for the issue of the necessary advertisements, which, to be in time for the Session of 1890, must be published on three successive weeks in October or November of this year, and be deposited with maps on or before November 30th, 1889." It was argued that such delay was dangerous, as there were several companies angling in Paddington, and might take upon themselves to go to Parliament and obtain the powers the Vestry should have. Upon the Vestry Clerk stating that a very valuable report on the whole subject was being framed, it was decided to let the matter stand over for the recess. The Vestry then adjourned until September 17th.

The Acheson Effect.-The New York Electrical Review states that Mr. Acheson has just taken out three patents for the conversion of heat into electricity. Some time ago a fantastic scheme, evolved from the teeming brain of this gentleman, was commented upon in our columns; but now our contemporary thinks that he is on the way to achieving something substantial by the employment of the following extraordinary arrangement:" By means of an alternating current generator in a circuit in which he prefers to enclose an iron core of the ring type, he produces magnetic waves, and these by induction impress an E.M.F. in a secondary circuit wound upon the same core, the apparatus thus far practically constituting a transformer. He then applies flame or other source of heat to the iron core at a point devoid of winding, and by some process, not clearly set forth in the patents, an additional E.M.F. is impressed upon the secondary circuit. This additional E.M.F., in the practical experiments which the writer had the pleasure of witnessing, can and does exceed the E.M.F. impressed by the primary alternating current; so that in reality the electric energy due to the inductive transformation can be doubled by the action of his new thermic transformer. The announced results are too remarkable not to attract widespread attention and experimenting everywhere. The practical bearing of the invention will be grasped by our readers when we say that, if the Acheson effect (if we may so christen it) is a reality, its application to existing plants of the alternating type would at once double their capacity without requiring any additional engine-power. This is a thing worth investigation." Why does not the New York Electrical Review set to work and investigate it? What a severe lesson it would be to electricians, both here and in the States, if our contemporary would only show that all the efforts which have hitherto been made to prevent the heating of cores were based upon wrong premises.

Fowler-Waring Cables Company.-The subscription list for shares in this company will close this day, Friday.

Glasgow District Telephone Directory.- We have been favoured with a presentation copy of the new edition of this directory, published by the National Telephone Company for the use of their subscribers in the Glasgow district. The list of names shows a very satisfactory increase, both in the number and in the wide range of businesses represented. The book is excellently compiled and printed, and contains information of much value to those who are connected with the many exchanges on the system.

Books Received.-The sixth volume of the Proceedings of the Ninth Convention Annual Meeting of the American National Electric Light Association, 1889, has reached us. It contains the report of the committee on underground conduits and conductors; Mr. Barton's paper on "Electric Light Stations as Fire Risks; ""Disruptive Discharges in Lead Cables," by C. H. Rudd; "Fuel Oil," by S. S. Leonard; "Liquid Fuel," by M. J. Francisco; Advantages of Oil as a Fuel," by C. M. Ransom; "Conduits: Their Material in Relation to Insulated Conductors," by A. C. Chenoweth; and" Municipal Lighting," by Fred. H. Whipple. Most of these papers are familiar to our readers, either in full or abstract. The "Journal of the Institution of Electrical Engineers," No. 81, Vol. XVIII., contains the discussion on Dr. Lodge's paper, "Lightning, Lightning Conductors, and Lightning Protectors," Mr. Mordey's paper and discussion on "Alternate Current Working," and Sir William Thomson's paper "On the Security against Disturbance of Ships' Compasses by Electric Lighting Appliances."

Annual Excursions.-On Saturday, the 3rd inst., the employés of the General Electric Company, Limited, (trading until recently as the Manchester Electric Works Company) had their annual picnic at Rudyard Lake. Dinner was partaken at the hotel, Rudyard, after which the manager, Mr. Max Binswanger, proposed the health of "Men and Staff." Seeing that the company had been in existence for a brief period only, he congratulated them upon the success achieved, and the rapid strides in the development thereof; the employés number only at present 200. Having spoken of the recent_amalgamation with the General Electric Company, Limited, London (Messrs. G. Binswanger & Co.), he reminded his hearers of the wide scope and prominent bearing of electricity to modern and future requirements, stimulating them to activity, perservance, and study. Messrs. Coates, Butterworth, and M. Hirst proposed the health of the London house and that of the directors, Messrs. G. Binswanger and H. Hirst, including the names of subscribers and friends. A hearty vote of thanks having been tendered to Mr. Max Binswanger for presiding, the party dispersed until tea. Although showery, it was a most enjoyable trip, and all were satisfied with the day's outing.

Celluvert. We recently called attention to this material, which is being introduced to the electrical trade in this country by Messrs. Moseley and Sons, of Manchester. We are glad to hear that it is being found useful in connection with dynamo building, and in the manufacture of electrical sundries, such as fuse mounts for cut-outs. Its great strength fits it for certain uses where ebonite, in this respect, is inferior, its insulating power when dry being equally high. Its use, however, is not to be recommended where freedom from moisture cannot be relied upon.

Electric Bells.-Estimates are required for making perfect and maintaining in thorough repair for a year the whole of the electric bells and wires, and the apparatus connected therewith, fixed in the fifty-nine land and river stations of the London Fire Brigade and in houses used as lodgings for firemen, for the London County Council. Particulars may be obtained on application at the Architect's Department of the Council, Spring Gardens, S.W.

Subsidy Refused to the Canadian Cable Company.It is reported from Ottawa that the British Government has refused to subsidise the new direct Canadian cable. Lord Salisbury states that the idea of granting a subsidy to this new line was to secure direct cable communication between Great Britain and the Dominion, which has been done within the past few weeks by the AngloAmerican Company lifting its cable at Newfoundland and splicing it with a new cable into Halifax, by express agreement with the British Government. Subscriptions have, however, been secured in England to the extent of £70,000.

American Engines.-The Ball Engine Company, of Erie, Pa., manufacturers of the Ball High-speed Automatic Cut-off Engine, is making considerable additions to both machinery and buildings. It will give an idea of the demand for this engine when we mention the fact that the company have orders for 7,165 horse-power of engines to build for electric companies. The company has just completed the first of the 12 300-horse-power compound engines for the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, of Brooklyn, and the tests made at the factory were very satisfactory. The first two engines for this large plant will be shipped in a few days, and when placed on their foundations an exhaustive test will be made.

Gent and Company, Leicester.-This firm issues an excellent book of practical instructions as to the fixing and repairing of electric and pneumatic bells, telephones, &c., containing descriptions and prices of all the necessary accessories. Particulars are also given of electric light and power apparatus, electric fittings, and electro-medical appliances. It is well printed and profusely illustrated, and we are not aware of any price list in the trade forming so complete a guide for the bellhanger, gasfitter, plumber, and amateur. The seventh edition is just published, containing several novelties, one of which is an electric bell of "church bell" shape, having a nickel-plated bottom, which excludes dust while not affecting the sound.

Supply of Electricity in Sheffield.-The Improvement Committee have had under consideration notices from the solicitor and the secretary of the Electric Construction and Maintenance Company, Limited, of their intention to apply next session to the Board of Trade for a provisional order to supply electricity within the borough. The committee recommend the Council "to intimate to the solicitor and secretary of the company that they will not give their consent to any provisional order being granted to the company for supplying electricity in Sheffield, on the ground that the Council may probably themselves seek to obtain powers necessary for that purpose."

Electricity versus Wrinkles.-The news comes from Paris that an institution has been established for the removal of wrinkles by electricity. This, if true, will doubtless be good news to the fair sex, and henceforth arsenic will not be necessary as a cosmetic. There will be a gigantic procession of ladies from the West End, and probably the new reviver will hold as high a position as did Ninon de Lenelos asses milk.

The St. Louis Universal Electrical Exposition.This exposition is progressing rapidly under the general management of Mr. Fred. H. Whipple. An immense phonograph will be used to reproduce the music played by the Liberati and Gilmore military bands. An electric street railway complete will be in operation the full length of the great building. cooking establishment, also operated by electricity, will claim the attention of the visitors. Pianos, organs, and musical instruments of all kinds will be operated by the current, and a drum corps of astonishing effect will likewise have wire connections.

A

Electric Communication.—Among the Parliamentary notices of motion for which no days have been fixed is the following, in the name of Sir George BadenPowell:-"To call attention to the existing deficiencies in electric communication along the coasts of the United Kingdom, and to move: That, with a view to the better prevention of loss of life and property in cases of shipwreck, for the general advantage of the shipping and fishing industries, and for the more effectual defence of these realms in time of war, it is necessary to provide electric communication between the postal telegraph system and all coastguard, lighthouse, lifeboat, and life-saving stations situated on the coasts of the United Kingdom."