On a large scale I have the filter arranged somewhat in the m of fig. 4, alternate layers of small coke free from sulphur separated either by layers of sand or perforated tiles; by table connection these beds of coke form positive and negative ctrodes. The first layer of material being sand so as to mechaally separate matters in suspension. It is impossible for ease germs to propagate owing to the nascent oxygen and orine produced when the filter is in action.

Another form is by embedding non-oxidisable plates in sand h or without porous diaphragms. The necessary electric curit in this case would, of course, be taken from a dynamo. For treatment of sewage it is absolutely necessary that precipitaa of the matters in suspension should take place, and the more aplete this is the better the ultimate result.

To produce this I employ oxidisable plates of such material that y shall have no poisonous after effects either on land or in ers. The metals should be either aluminium or iron, but the t-named is out of the question owing to cost, and then iron, ides having the advantage as regards price, in the form of de has many valuable qualities, one of the chief being that phuretted hydrogen cannot exist when ferrous or ferric oxides present. It is well known that oxide of iron in the hydrated m is largely used for purifying coal gas from sulphuretted drogen. The electric action is easily explained practicably (experiment own of action of small iron plates connected with a battery, o plates being positive and two negative; sewage acted on in

427

cylindrical glass vessel). At the positive pole the chlorine and oxygen given off combine with the iron to form a salt which, I am persuaded is, for the moment, a hypochlorite of the metal, but it immediately changes into a chloride, which in its turn is deprived of chlorine to form ferrous carbonates and oxides. During the chemical action carbonate of iron exists in solution, and its formation is due to the presence of carbonates in the sewage, chiefly carbonate of ammonia. In samples that are absolutely free from dissolved oxygen, the ferrous oxide in the white form is precipitated, and on shaking up with air it changes to the usual pale green colour; the carbonate of iron at the same time being oxidised the ultimate precipitate is red, known as ferric oxide (Fe, 03), and I have noticed that sometimes this changes after a time back again to the ferrous state, Fe 0, thus showing that it has acted as a carrier of oxygen to the organic matter present. On a small scale the precipitate is carried to the top, due to the bubbles of hydrogen collecting round the particles of matter in suspension, but it ultimately sinks in the usual manner. In practice the precipitate does not rise, owing to the larger evaporating area, which allows the escape of the gases produced. The current required for the action varies with the nature of the sewage; but in this case I am using an ampère of current, and the amount of sewage is one-eighth of a gallon. It is usually assumed that 1.5 volts are required for splitting up water into its component parts; this may possibly be true with carbon plates, but with iron plates acting on sewage I can obtain the same result with 9 volts as with double the intensity-of course, it takes a longer time, for with such a low voltage the quantity of current is small.

An ordinary sample of sewage requires, on an average, 1 ampère of current for 10 minutes per gallon, but when mixed with foreign matter such as manufacturers' waste products the amount required can only be estimated by experiment. The small plates I used in the experiment are of wrought iron; on a larger scale I use cast iron of the commonest "pig" quality, which is only onethird the cost and has the virtue of not scaling. Most of my experiments have been carried out with wrought iron sheet, which has the disadvantage of scaling, but on account of its lightness is more suitable for experimental work. The plates themselves should always be kept under water so as to prevent the formation of the red oxide on the surfaces, and the action should be continuous as far as possible, for if continuous the plates seem to acquire some property which reduces the resistance to the electric current, and therefore lessens the cost. At the beginning of a month's run which lately took place, the voltage measured across certain plates was three, but after a few days only 1.79, and doing the same work. On examining the plates freshly taken from the liquid they were in, I found a thin coating of the black, or magnetic oxide of iron, which has the property of preventing the rusting of the plate under water when the electric current is

cut off.

For 1,000,000 gallons sewage flow, 24 hours, the complete plant necessary is :-Engine, dynamo, and boiler house; two engines and boilers, each 12 horse-power nominal; two dynamos, brick shoots with culverts at side, two settling tanks, sludge tank, sewage culvert, treated sewage culvert, cast iron plates, copper conductor, measuring instruments. Where the effluent has to run into a small stream or river a suitable tank would have to be constructed for arranging the electric filter as before described.

A channel is kept at the bottom of the electrodes for the silt to collect, with a culvert at side to flush it into so as to prevent any block occurring, but the advantage of this is obvious. The plates in each section are about an inch thick, and can be of any length up to 6 feet; it may be possibly objected that a large number of plates is required. This may be so, but the larger the number of plates the less the engine power required, and the longer they last. In each section the electrodes are in parallel, and any one section is in series with the other, the arrangement being exactly like that of a series of primary battery cells.

By actual experience I have been able to prove that at least 25 sections of electrodes should be in series, and across any one of these sections the potential difference need not be greater than 1.8 volts, the current being of any desired amount according to the surface of plates used. In experiments that were lately carried out I used a current of 370 ampères, which was calculated as '23 ampère per gallon per hour; or, taking it in watts, the estimated horse-power required per million gallons in 24 hours was 23. The organic matter in solution of the particular sewage acted on on this occasion showed a reduction of 61 per cent. after treatment. The plates, even at half an inch apart, show no signs of blocking; the liquid to be acted on of course should be screened in the usual way and allowed to run through the plates as rapidly as the treatment required will allow, so that every molecule shall come into contact with the surfaces of metal. During a run that lately took place the measurement across the electrodes proved that 19 estimated horse-power was required to treat 1,000,000 gallons in 24 hours, the resulting purification of organic matter in solution amounting to an average of 50 per cent., the waste of the iron plates showing an average of two grains per gallon of sewage treated.

In putting down plates for the above quantity of sewage I should allow sufficient weight for five or ten years' consumption; what remained of this could be sold as "old iron " at the end of that time. One of the advantages of having the plates in series is that if anything goes wrong in any particular section it can easily be set right, the current being cut off during the repairs. The shoot containing the electrodes should be coated inside with some sort of asphalte, so as to prevent, as far as possible, any leakage of current to earth, the asphalte acting as a sort of insulator.

428

The highest efficiency would be obtained by using direct driving, provided that the engine is of first-rate workmanship, and the dynamo constructed to run at a comparatively low speed. This saves in transmission, and prevents any difficulty that might arise with belting. Consumption of coal under the best conditions may be taken to range from 18 to 2:5 lbs. per horse-power hour; the cost of fuel and iron varies so much in different districts, the prices in London being nearly double those near mining localities, that I leave the question of an accurate estimate open; discounting this, it may be taken that the capital outlay necessary for complete plant, and capable of dealing with the sewage of a small town, amounting to a flow of 1,000,000 gallons daily, would be about £6,000 or £7,000, the engines and dynamos being in duplicate, as I presume most engineers would agree they should be. The quantity of iron plates included in the above sum would be serviceable for ten years as far as one can foresee, and I am also assuming that the town, where this plant would be erected, has no appliances for treatment, such as precipitating tanks, &c.; where these are already in existence the cost would naturally be less. In reference to the cost per million gallons the same arguments hold good as to the situation of the town ruling the price. Since my first calculations were made the rise in the markets has increased the cost of working, but it can be arrived at by the average consumption of iron and the necessary horse-power. Thus the daily waste of iron may be taken as 286 lbs. and the consumption of coal three-fifths of a ton; the labour required for working a plant of this description would be two shifts, two men to each shift.

By combining the treatment of sewage flowing between metal plates with the electric filter it is possible to produce any degree of purity required. In this case the sewage, after action with the iron electrodes, is allowed to flow into a settling tank, and after remaining there for an hour for the precipitate to subside the effluent, is passed through the filter, any oxide of iron that may be present tending to keep the top layer of filtering medium free from any objectionable action, and in turn forming a filtering medium. As the filter consumes no material, and does not require any additional engine power, for in using it the electrolytic action with metal plates not being carried so far, the cost of its working need not be considered. When a sufficient amount of oxide is deposited on the top layer of sand it can be removed, allowed to dry, and sold to gas works. The resulting sludge contains 6 per cent. of iron oxide, which does not represent the waste of the plates alone, for in London sewage the wear and tear of the tires of wheels, horses' shoes, &c., in the street means oxide of iron in its composition. One sample taken some months back contained no less than six grains of iron oxide in the gallon before treat

ment.

Sir Henry Roscoe has kindly consented to my quoting a few extracts from his report, and the analyses made by him during the investigation of this process. He states:

"The quantity of sewage operated on in each experiment was about 20,000 gallons.

"The reduction of organic matter in solution is the crucial test of the value of a precipitating agent, for unless the organic matter is reduced the effluent will putrefy and rapidly become offensive. I have not observed in any of the unfiltered effluents from this process which I have examined any signs of putrefaction, but, on the contrary, a tendency to oxydise.

"The absence of sulphuretted hydrogen in samples of unfiltered effluents which have been kept in stoppered bottles for three weeks is also a fact of importance.

"The settled sewage was not in this condition, as it rapidly underwent decomposition in two or three days, even when in contact with air.

"By this process the soluble organic matter is reduced to a condition favourable to the further purification by natural agencies."

Here are analyses of samples taken from each section of the shoot, there being six in series. The organic matter is seen to be gradually reduced by the electro-chemical action.

I have never seen an effluent, treated in the way described, show any signs of secondary decomposition nor develop sulphuretted hydrogen.

In cases where specially prepared or suitable land of a porous nature is procurable the effluent might be wholly or partially used for manuring crops, in which case the sewage should be only sted that the prevention of putrefaction is assured. ntage of iron in the soil is one which, I think, every must acknowledge. I had some sludge (deposit

80

[OCTOBER 11, 18%

after electric treatment) pressed without the addition of lim it was applied to vegetables, the result being that a marked d ence in favour of iron manure was shown in the crops when pared to others grown with ordinary farm-yard manure.

The question of sludge disposal is a difficult one, and a paper is essentially electrical, I will only mention that I where practicable, puddle it with chalk, and run on to waste. through wooden conduits, similar to the process of minn and chalk in a washing mill, and running into backs, a out in cement manufacture, the only alternatives being pressing, or shipping out to sea.

The bacteria question is one which has probably still settled; but being anxious to have some information as ti action of the iron compound produced by electro-chez decomposition, I had some experiments carried out, w result that after a given treatment the whole of the bacteria vkilled. In the case of experiments carried out in Paris ordinary treatment by means of iron electrodes, the results = as follows:Raw Sewage. 5,000,000

-

Organisms per cubic centimetre

Another experiment in which the effluent was treated further, so that a slight odour of oxide of chlorine was persp destroyed all organisms, and the liquid remained sterile.

In conclusion, I submit that the application of the e current in the several ways I have endeavoured to describ duces a precipitating and oxidising action similar to processes, in which the organic matter is destroyed by or due to dissolved oxygen slowly absorbed from the air, a many cases by matters in the soil, such as oxides of iron. a as carriers of oxygen, and I also consider that the question will bear favourable comparison with any process which does the work attributed to it.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. J. SHOOLBRED: I have had an opportunity of long ago a number of experiments carried out of Mr. W process, on a scale which might equal that of a smal: What we have seen this afternoon has shown very ci there is something at all events very well worth the cons of sewage authorities, and an important question for especially as it will probably save the enormous amount cals in the form principally of chalk and lime, which imported at considerable expense. Experiments which are carried out elsewhere point to the fact that it is an ex practical question.

ON A NEW FORM OF CURRENT-WEIGHEI
By Prof. JAMES BLYTH, M.A., F.R.S.E.
(Read September, 1889, before Section A.)

In the construction of balances for the measurement ! currents a greater or less difficulty has always been exp leading the current into the movable parts of the without seriously interfering with its sensibility. methods have been adopted to overcome this difficulty. balances the current is led in by mercury cups; in others leads, made of thin wire spirals or thin metal strips, sre while, in the recent balances by Sir William Th difficulty has been overcome by means of his well-know suspension.

Some time ago it occurred to me that still another balance might be employed for this purpose, and the paper is a short description of one which I have made.

The balance referred to is of the ordinary Roberval the pivot connections all replaced by tightly stretche

wires.

It is constructed as follows:

On a flat base board, fig 1, are placed two vertical wood or other insulating material, about six ince Between these are stretched two parallel wires i vertical plane about three inches apart. To the midd these wires are soldered the two horizontal metal ta Roberval.

These are about nine inches long. Both horizonts b nate at each end either in forks or rings, placed in s plane, and wires are tightly stretched between the p forks, or across a diameter of the rings. To the midd these last wires are attached, also by soldering, the ve of the balance, thus completing what takes the par ordinary jointed parallelogram of the Roberval.

The vertical bars have metal terminals, insulated other, and carry the circular discs, on the rims of r. movable coils of wire are wound. The bars pass at through the centres of the discs, and are fixed to the middle points. The fixed coils, which are of exse diameter as the movable ones, are supported from the and are placed so that one is about half an inta movable coil, while the other is as much below the the coil. From this it will be seen that when the twitt equilibrium the fixed and movable coils are all blesse space of about half an inch between each pair.

The stretched wires may be either of steel or phep and before being finally soldered are placed under > tension.

OCTOBER 11, 1889.]

he current flows through the instrument thus :-Entering, by the upper wire connecting the fixed supports, it passes to upper horizontal bar. There it splits into two, one half >posing the resistances equal) passing to each end of the bar, , by means of the corresponding fork-wires, passing through movable coils. From the movable coils each half returns g the lower horizontal bar and together pass out by the er wire connecting the two main supports. From this the le current passes first through the one fixed coil and then ugh the other, and in such a direction as to produce a repulbetween each pair of coils.

1 the constructing care is taken that the suspended coils are 1 made of equal weight, and that when the balance is in ilibrium no torsion is in any of the wires. Small scale pans attached to each vertical bar, and a bob for raising or lowering centre of gravity of the whole is placed on a rod springing at it angles from the middle of one of the horizontal bars.

429

15230. Improvements in electric batteries." Sir W. VAVASOUR. Dated September 27.

15246. "Method or means of regulating motor-dynamos or continuous current transformers." W. LAHMEYER. Dated September 27.

FIG. 1.

'he current strength is estimated by the weight needed to ore the balance to equilibrium when disturbed by the passage the current. A sliding weight may also be used as in a steeld.

t will be readily seen that, as in all forms of current-weigher, weights are proportional to the square of the current strength. nother form of the instrument, which is in reality a torsion ance, is represented in fig. 2. It differs from the previous m in this, that all the coils are in a vertical plane with the sion wires also vertical, while the current is measured by the

nber of degrees of torsion that must be given to one end of one he torsion wires in order to bring the balance to equilibrium. he connections be considered, it will be seen that no current ses through the wire whose torsion rigidity is used to measure and also that the current is so distributed among the other es that only one-fourth of the heating effect is produced in h of them which would be produced if the entire current went ough them. In this way the want of accuracy due to any ting of the wires is reduced to a minimum. The balance ibited, though only a model, has a resistance of 360 ohms and uite sensitive to currents of one-tenth of an ampere.

ABSTRACTS

OF PUBLISHED SPECIFICATIONS, 1888

10209. "An improved electric regulator." F. V. MAQUAIRE. Dated July 13. 18. 3d. Consists:-1. Carbon carriers actuated exclusively by a continuous current electro-motor capable of running in either direction. 2. An electro-metric balance actuated exclusively either by the principal current or by a current derived from the arc and controlling the setting in motion as well as the duration and direction of the motion of the electro-motor. 3. A safety coil whose function, in case of the accidental extinction of the arc, is, in the case of an installation in series, to short circuit the lamp during the time necessary for relighting it, or, in the case of installations in parallel, to maintain between the terminals of the lamp a fall of potential but slightly different from the normal fall, with the twofold object of protecting the lamp and of disturbing as little as possible, either when lighting or relighting, its proper action as well as the general working of the whole installation. 12 claims.

11897. Improvements in or relating to apparatus for indicating the strength of current upon an electric circuit." O. B. SCHALLENBERGER. Dated August 7. 8d. The object of the invention is to provide convenient, effective and reliable means for determining the difference of potential existing between two given points in an electric circuit supplied with alternating, intermittent or pulsatory electric currents. It is well known that the value of a given electric current is proportional to the electromotive force to which it is due, divided by the resistance which it encounters. If, therefore, the resistance is decreased at the same time that the electromotive force is increased or vice versa, then the current flowing will increase or decrease at a rate greater than the increase or decrease of the electromotive force. The present invention aims to substitute for such variable resistances a variable counter-electromotive force, the amount of which is dependent pon the variations in the difference of potential to be determined. A circuit having an appreciable self-induction, when traversed by alternating, intermittent or pulsatory electric currents opposes a counter-electromotive force varying in the manner required, for this purpose, that is to say, as the current traversing it decreases, the apparent resistance due to self-induction, diminishes, and vice versa, although the actual specific resistance remains constant. 6 claims.

66

14622. Variable adjustable resistance for electric currents." E. G. CRAVEN. Dated October 11. 8d. Consists in winding the wire selected for the resistance in one continuous coil, and longitudinally upon a suitable frame composed preferably of slate or other non-inflammable and non-conducting material, a sufficient space being left between each convolution of said wire, and each end of said wire being attached to a suitable terminal or binding screw, mounted at convenient points on said frame. The shortcircuiting or re-introducing in circuit of any desired quantity of the said continuous resistance wire is effected in the following manner a suitable roller of non-conducting material is prepared of sufficient length, that when laid at right angles to the said longitudinally wound resistance wire, it will extend eutirely across from side to side of the frame on which the said wire is wound. The said roller has a certain portion of its surface covered with a plate of sheet copper or other metal of high conductivity, the shape of said plate of metal being such, and its position upon the roller being so arranged, that on rotating the said roller upon the surface of the wires against which it is held by suitable supports and bearings, a larger or smaller surface of the conducting face or plate of the said roller is brought in contact with the resistance wire, according to the direction in which the said roller is rotated, thus short-circuiting or re-introducing in circuit such proportion of the coiled resistance wire as may be from time to time in contact with the metal face of the roller, or released from its contact therewith. 4 claims.

14703. "Improvements in apparatus for automatically regulating electric currents." P. W. WILLANS. Dated October 12. 8d. The inventor couples the cells in series one with the other through a succession of contact blocks conveniently ranged at a distance apart from one another, and in one method he employs a moving block or contact piece, coupled to one end of the line circuit, to be brought into contact with any one or other of the fixed blocks, whilst the opposite end of the line is coupled with one end of the series of battery cells, so that by moving the moving contact

piece from one fixed block to the other, any number of cells can be brought into action. To automatically move the contact piece from one contact block to another, according to the strength of current in the circuit, he uses a solenoid coil or electro-magnet, through which a branch circuit is led from any two points in the line circuit at which it is desired to maintain a constant potential, or if it is desired to keep the current constant, he may take the whole or a part of the main current through the coils. The central moving core of this coil which, if a solenoid is arranged as in other electrical governors to be drawn in or out of the coil as the current varies in strength, he causes to impart motion through other mechanism to the moving contact piece. 4 claims.

14932. "Improvements in and connected with portable electric incandescent lamps and batteries." S. W. MAQUAY. Dated October 17. 8d. The inventor forms the battery of a vulcanite or other non-conducting casing, provided with two or more internal compartments for receiving the exciting liquid. Into each of said compartments extends an iron rod and a carbon plate or tube, these for convenience being attached to a head or top piece through which the electric connections are made, the carbon of one cell being attached to the iron in that next in order, an incandescent lamp being inserted in the circuit at one point. The exciting solution which it is preferred to use is composed of chromic acid, sulphuric acid, copperas and salt, suitably diluted with

water. 3 claims.

15216. 66 Improvements in the construction of switches for the making and breaking of circuits conveying electric currents." C. M. DORMAN and R. A. SMITH. Dated October 23. 8d. Consists in adding mechanism connected directly or indirectly to the handle of the switch, whereby the pressure between the contact pieces is increased after contact has been made. The same mechanism ensures that the pressure between the contact pieces is decreased previous to the moment when the force of the spring or springs tends to move the contact pieces apart. The liability of the failure of the springs to break contact being thus overcome. 2 claims.

15324. 66

Improvements in the means for establishing electrical communication in railway trains." J. C. MARGETSON. Dated October 24. 8d. Consists in establishing continuous electrical communication from engine to vehicle, and from vehicle to vehicle in railway trains by means, or with the aid of, the vacuum brake pipes and their connections, the said electrical communication thus established being used either for working bells or for telephonic or lighting purposes, or for other purposes to which electricity can be applied in the train. The vacuum brake pipes, therefore, not only perform the ordinary work of brake pipes, but also, with their connections, serve to form, or assist in forming, electrical connection, so that free wires for this purpose can be dispensed with. The coupling together of the brake pipes establishes the electrical connection. 3 claims.

16140. "Improvements in the charging of secondary electric batteries from primary batteries and apparatus for that purpose." E. TYER. Dated November 7. 8d. Claims:-1. The described method of charging a secondary electric battery from a primary, by dividing the cells of the secondary battery into two or more groups, and causing them to be alternately switched into and out of contact with the primary at successive intervals of time so as to give the primary short periods of repose, and to give the charging of each group of the secondary cells short periods of intermission, for the purpose set forth. 2. For charging a secondary battery in the manner above referred to, in combination with a pendulum maintained in oscillation, two or more sets of contacts acted on by the pendulum so that alternately during part of each oscillation of the pendulum one group of secondary cells connected to one of the contacts is switched into circuit with the primary battery while another group is switched out of circuit, substantially as described.

18526. "Improvements in submarine telegraphic cables." J. C. L. LOEFFLER. Dated December 18. 6d. Relates to an arrangement of armour for protecting submarine telegraphic cables from the effects of ice so that the cable shall not be crushed or injured thereby. For this purpose the inventor strings a number of steel or other metal ferrules on the cable or on such parts of it as are liable to be damaged by ice, either inside or outside of its wire sheathing or in place of one of the wire sheathings. 1 claim.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING IN PADDINGTON.

A SPECIAL meeting of the Vestry of Paddington was held on Thursday, October 3rd, in the Vestry Hall, to resume the discussion on the following proposition of Mr. Mark H. Judge :-"That, inasmuch as the Electric Lighting Committee has not seen its way to recommend the vestry itself to undertake to provide electricity for lighting and other purposes in the borough, it is desirable that steps be now taken to secure it being dor early date, by private enterprise, under a

[ОСТОВЕР 11, 189

provisional order approved by the vestry as the lo authority."

The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Churchwarden Jackson) that Mr. Judge's proposal having previously b carried as an amendment to another resolution, it n came before the vestry as a substantive motion.

Mr. CHARLES SEE moved as an amendment: "T the whole question of electric lighting for the par of Paddington be referred to a special commi of ten members for further consideration and port.

Mr. CLARKE desired to know, if they were going discuss the question all over again, whether they sho undertake the lighting themselves.

Mr. SEE then went into the reasons for referr the matter back. He thought that if the vestry co. be convinced by plain unquestioned evidence that th charge for electric lighting would represent the char for gas, and if the vestry could be assured that statement of Prof. Forbes that it could be produ to supply the ratepayers at 44d., or even at 4d. they had a large number to take the light, and if the two facts were really correct, then the vestry would b inclined to pause at least before it threw away the opportunities which were presented to them. He con not understand how, under the circumstances, the committee had come to the conclusion that, "taki everything into consideration, it would appear advisab for the vestry to entrust the work of electric lighting to a well established company." They did not gir any reasons why they recommended the vestry to appl to some of the companies. Probably about £150 atgether had been spent in connection with the experts and he did not think the committee were justified t bringing up a bald statement which assigned no reaso why they should go against the opinion of the e perts who had given the information to the vestry They would have to rescind Mr. Judge's resolution before they could undertake to do the work themselve and if the members would take a little trouble to g and see the different installations in London, they won! see that the lighting might be made the means of large profit being accumulated by the vestry toward the relief of the rates of the parish. Last week be went to the St. Pancras electric lighting station, and found that the cost came to precisely 6d. per light, halfpenny per hour. So that so far as the cost of fe -which was the principal item-was concerned in connection with the cost of arc lights, they could get one light at a cost not exceeding a halfpenny per hot allowing the fullest margin for the cost of fuel. If they doubled that amount for labour, it would make i one penny; and that, he thought, was a really goo margin. Then doubling it again for the interest and principle of that which was borrowed, they would find that they could get for two pence per hour one of the arc lights of 2,000 candle strength. If they asked on of the companies what one of the arc lights would cost they would find it would come to considerably more than double that. Feeling that the report of the com mittee was at variance with the facts which had been gathered, he asked the vestry to refer the question to a special committee.

Mr. W. CLARKE: Are we going to reopen the ques tion of whether the parish will do this work of electric lighting or not? I ask that, bearing in mind that 24 to 6 members said we were not.

The CHAIRMAN said that the amendment of Mr. See was perfectly regular and in order, and the question was a very important one for the vestry to discuss Mr. See had given them figures and facts which were new. As to the 8 minutes' rule, to which his attention had been drawn, he thought the subject was so important, that it would be better not to curtail the debate.

Mr. Deputy-Surgeon C. M. JESSOP seconded the amendment.

Mr. MINCHIN, speaking in support of the amend ment, expressed the opinion that if the vestry placed the lighting of the parish in the hands of a private company they would kill public electric lighting alto

OCTOBER 11, 1889.]

ther. Mr. Judge had told them that he would oppose y scheme of electric lighting which would not supy the whole of Paddington, and thought that such a atement could only have arisen from an absolute misnception of the difficulties of the question. As to pplying electric light to private consumers, it was erfectly clear that neither a company nor the vestry uld lay down their mains for the supply except in ose quarters where the electric light would be taken id paid for. And, as a matter of fact, there were rge portions of the Paddington district in which the ght for private consumption would never be wanted. here were even many houses in the borough which id not use gas, although it was an advantage in the inter as it gave warmth as well as light. The elecic light was absolutely without heat, and therefore is had a great advantage over it for those who wanted armth. The electric light would never be a competir with gas for it was a luxury of the rich, and it was ot everybody who could afford to pay for it. There

uld be no doubt that if the vestry handed over the ecessary monopoly to a private company they would e absolutely depriving the ratepayers of an enormous oon which it was in their power to place in their ands.

Mr. WILLIAM RAYNOR said that on the important uestion of electric lighting there was not the slightest nanimity even among the scientists. They were not greed as to the kind of electricity to be used, how it was to be used, or the price at which it could be suplied. If he conld find a public body in London suplying their own light he might be disposed to favour he vestry doing so. The City was not prepared to ecommend the authorities to undertake their own ighting, and the City not being prepared to undertake heir lighting, he was not prepared to recommend the Paddington vestry to do so. There was not a parish nore enterprising than Kensington, and they had leputed it to three companies. He concluded, by oping that Paddington would entrust the lighting to a private company, and if they appointed a committee it hould be as small as possible and chosen from among hose persons who had some experience and scientific nowledge of the subject.

Mr. JUDGE, having read his resolution, said all parties ought to join together to get the fullest possible information as to the best terms and conditions under which the vestry could have the elecEric light supplied to them by private enterprise. If they afterwards ascertained that it would be much better to do the work themselves they could oppose the application for provisional orders, stating that they had definitely decided to do the lighting themselves. On the other hand, if they could get satisfactory proposals from any private company, they could support the provisional orders of the company which would then be sure of obtaining its orders, because the consent of the vestry was necessary unless the Board of Trade issued a special report giving reasons why it should not be granted. Mr. Minchin and Mr. See proved too much for their case. They said the vestry could not get elec tric lighting for the whole of the parish because no company could supply it; that the charges of the companies were so high; and yet they also said that if the vestry did it themselves they would make a great profit. If the vestry could make a profit the companies could make a greater profit. In conclusion, he trusted that the amendment would be rejected in favour of his resolution.

After further remarks by members, the proposal of Mr. Judge was then, as a substantive motion, carried unanimously.

Mr. JUDGE next proposed: "That it be referred to an electric lighting committed of seven members to prepare a draft provisional order by making such modifications in, and additions to, the latest model order issued by the Board of Trade, so as to provide as follows." Then the provisions A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H (given on page 362 of the ELECTRICAL REVIEW of September 27th) followed, and also the undermentioned provisions ;

431

"(I) That all conduits for conductors shall be of sufficient capacity for their being used for a system of fire alarms or other signals, and for this purpose the vestry to have the right to use the conduits free of charge.

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"(J) That all stations for the production and supply of electricity be within the borough of Paddington, and the systems, both for public and private lighting, to be confined to the borough of Paddington, with the exception that, subject to the approval of the vestry, they may be extended to any part of Chelsea detached, and to such parts of other adjoining parishes as are within 100 yards of the boundary of Paddington.

"(K) Audit by the vestry, as the local authority, follows:- (From the Liverpool provisional order, 1889.) The local authority may from time to time appoint, or appoint and keep appointed, an auditor to audit the accounts of the undertakers, and the undertakers shall give such auditor, his clerks, and assistants access to the books and accounts of the undertakers, and shall, when required, furnish to him or them all such vouchers and information as he or they may require for the purpose of the audit, and shall afford to him or them all facilities for the proper execution of his and their duty. If such auditor shall be of opinion that the accounts are incorrect in principle or in detail, or that the provisions of this order with regard to the prices to be charged for the supply of energy to consumers or otherwise are not being complied with, he shall require the undertakers to correct the accounts in such manner as he may think right, and no dividend shall be declared by the undertakers until such accounts have been corrected to the satisfaction of the auditor, provided always that the auditor may by certificate authorise the payment of such interim dividend pending the correction of the accounts, as he may think fit. And provided also that if the undertakers shall consider any requirement of the auditor to be unreasonable or incorrect, then the propriety or otherwise of such requirement shall be settled by arbitration. If in the opinion of the local authority the amount at any time written off by the undertakers for depreciation or carried by them to reserve or depreciation fund is excessive, and the undertakers shall not, after notice in writing from the local authority, reduce such amount in accordance with the requirements of the local authority, the question of the amount to be carried by the undertakers to reserve or depreciation fund shall be referred to arbitration, and the arbitrator shall have power to direct any part of the amount written off or of the reserve or depreciation fund, as the case may be, which is in excess of the requirements of the case, to be applied in reducing the price charged by the undertakers for energy or otherwise, as he may think fit.

"(L) That the local authority shall, if it so desires, be entitled to purchase the undertaking at the expiration of 21 years and 31 years respectively.

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(M) Such other provisions as the electrie lighting committee may direct, provided they are not contrary to, or inconsistent with the foregoing."

Mr. JUDGE, after explaining the various provisions, then proposed the following :-"That all references to the electric lighting joint committee be discharged, and that the electric lighting committee be authorised to consult the vestry solicitor in the preparation of the draft provisional order, and to advertise for proposals from companies and others for undertaking the supply of electricity under the conditions of the draft provisional order. All proposals to be sent in under seal, addressed to the vestry, to be opened by the vestry in the manner provided for the opening of tenders, and then to stand referred to the electric lighting committee for consideration and report."

Mr. N. A. JEPHSON seconded.

Colonel BLAIR said that the gentleman who would be able to give the committee the best advice would be a practical electrician.

Mr. JUDGE quite agreed that the committee ought to have the power to consult an expert-one who was a practical electrician-and he should be glad to adopt the suggestion.