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NOVEMBER 15, 1889.]

ELECTRICAL REVIEW.

Birmingham Exhibition.—We are informed that our references, in last week's issue and in that of the week previous, to the awards and the closing of the above Exhibition were incorrect. It is with pleasure we learn the fact, but our imformation, we may state, was derived from the Birmingham Press.

A New Insulation.-Our American contemporary, Modern Light and Heat, states that a patent has recently been granted to the Gould and Watson Company, of Boston, for the use of flake mica in electrical conduits. The system briefly consists of a box tube or electrical conduit, into which the wires are drawn, the conduit itself being filled and packed with flake mica. The usual ridiculous claptrap statement is made that the system "is destined speedily to work a revolution, &c." We should like to know whether there ever has been a case known in which predictions of this kind have been verified.

Burton-on-Trent.-The Council will oppose all companies, and apply for an order themselves.

Edinburgh Electrical Exhibition, 1890.-A deputation, consisting of Sir George Chubb, and Messrs. A. R. Bennett, Faithfull Begg and Exton, with Prof. Beare, waited on the Council of the Institution of Electrical Engineers on November 4th, for the purpose of inviting. the Institution to hold a special meeting in Edinburgh next year, during the run of the Exhibition, and to ask advice on the subject of awards and general matters connected with the undertaking. On the deputation retiring, the Council considered the questions raised, and resolved that a meeting of the Institution be held in Edinburgh next year, either shortly before or after that of the British Association. The project of a Congress, which had also been suggested, did not meet with the Council's approval. On the question of awards, the Council recommended the Exhibition authorities to properly test and certify the merits of exhibits, but not to award medals.

In addition to the names of the gentlemen composing the London Committee, which we published in our last, the following have been added :-Sir John Pender, Sir Jas. D. Linton, Sir Saul Samuel (Agent-General for New South Wales), Sir Graham Berry (Agent-General for Victoria), Sir Francis Dillon Bell (Agent-General for New Zealand), Col. R. Raynsford Jackson, Capt. E. J. Bax, Major Flood Page, W. Fox, Esq., C. A. Gosnell, Esq., John Noble, Esq., John R. Haswell, Esq., Leo Atkinson, Esq., J. C. Bennett, Esq., F. Faithfull Begg, Esq., J. Adam Watson, Esq., Walter Hill, Esq., A. Savill Tomkins, Esq., C. M. Kennedy, Esq., C.B., George Hodgson, Esq., Geo. H. Hodgson, Esq., J. C. Chubb, Esq., Samson Barnett, Esq., and Philip A. Scratchley, Esq., M.A., A.I.C.E.

The New York Electric Club.-The attractive, welllighted parlours of the Electric Club, New York, were filled with members and invited friends on Thursday evening, October 17th. Dr. Leonard Waldo, of Bridgeport, Conn., electrical engineer of the Aluminium Bronze Company, formerly of the Yale Observatory, gave an address on "Some casual ideas concerning the requirements, possibilities and risks of the electric club." The meeting was a most pronounced success, and will undoubtedly be followed by many more of a similar character.

Telephony in Russia.-The Daily News correspondent says it is reported from Russo-Polish frontier districts that the different railway stations are being connected by telephone, the line of which connects all the military garrisons near the frontier.

557

Failure of Electric Light.-It is said the electric light which is in general use at Temesvar, Hungary, failed last week amidst great excitement. The accident is attributed to faulty connection of the wires. A fire broke out, on this account, in the building occupied by the Chamber of Commerce, and from the same cause the subterranean wires melted under a private house.

Mason College Engineering Society, Birmingham.— The annual meeting of this society was held in the Mason College on Wednesday, October 30th, Prof. R. H. Smith, President, in the chair. The secretary presented the annual report and balance sheet, which showed the society to be in a very satisfactory condition. There are 89 members on the roll. After the election of officers for the ensuing year, a paper was read, entitled, "Electrical Novelties at the 1889 Birmingham Exhibition," by Mr. E. L. Joseph.

Electricity in the Russian Navy.-The Russian Government has decided to spend a sum of 650,000 francs for the inauguration of the electric light aboard the ships composing the squadrons of the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea.

The Electric Light at Llanelly. It is said much interest is felt in the coming attempt to illuminate the streets and shops by electricity. At Tuesday's Board of Health meeting some severe comments were made on the Llanelly gas, and unless this improves, the new light will be hailed with exceeding great joy.

Derby. The council has decided to apply for a provisional order for supplying the electric light.

Burton Refuses Consent.-The authorities will oppose all comers who wish to supply the light.

Tunstall.-The Board of Health will refuse consent to companies unless such terms and conditions are introduced as will facilitate the purchase from the company on advantageous terms.

Yarmouth. The Corporation will apply for powers to supply the light.

Cheltenham and the Supply of Electricity.-The Council has had applications from three companies to supply electricity, but has resolved to oppose their obtaining the necessary powers.

Engineering Society, King's College, London.-At a meeting of the above Society on October 22nd a very interesting paper was read by Mr. J. C. Paulson on "Modern Telegraphy." The author commenced with a brief description of some of the experimental lines as early as 1823. He then dealt with line wires, overhead, underground, and submarine cables, describing some of the most important, and methods of insulation and testing for faults. The author then passed on to the consideration of telegraphic instruments, describing in detail the single and double needle receivers, acoustic telegraph and Morse sounder, the Morse printing telegraph, Breguet's dial receiver and transmitter, and Thomson's syphon recorder, alluding to the modifications of the latter instrument for very feeble currents on long cables, in which the ink and paper are oppositely electrified by an induction machine, causing the ink to flow in a series of fine dots.

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ELECTRICAL REVIEW.

Eureka: 5,000 Volts!-We have received the following letter, which was too late for our correspondence columns last week; whether it should rank as a humorous recitation or serious production we can scarcely say: "I feel constrained, in view of the future of our glorious science, to write to you to inform you and your readers that lighting has been done on the transformer principle, within the last few days, from a dynamo generating 5,000 volts, and maintained running for several hours on a circuit of some hundred or two hundred lamps. The results. in all respects were most encouraging, and although it is too premature to state with any accuracy the further extent to which the voltage may be pushed, it is not, I think, too sanguine a view to take of the position to say that 10,000 volts will be as easily controlled as the 5,000. This is an event in electric generation, and the forerunner of who knows what other achievements! The Marquis of Salisbury, at the recent dinner of Electrical Engineers, threw out the suggestion that people might yet be doing work in their own homes which now requires to be executed at the factories, because steam energy cannot be economically transmitted. These may be too sanguine hopes; yet we must push on, and we may be able some day to convey the coal energy from the pit's mouth to extreme distances. The baby analogy of the noble Marquis is too good not to be remembered. The electric baby is too small even now for the general conception or observation; but wait the electric elephant is coming, and then what a shout, something even more than a gas explosion !— JAMES C. RICHARDSON."

New York's Experience.-The American Electrical Review says:-"The experience of New York, in being so cut off from electric illumination, has served to awaken other cities to the chances of a repetition of such a calamity in their midst. Boston, although remarkably free from accidents, considering the number of overhead wires and the introduction of street railways on the overhead wire system, has nevertheless taken steps, through the electric exchange, to have the authorities remove 'dead' and 'tramp' wires, and has also taken steps to call to the attention of the authorities the necessity of keeping politics out of the question in appointing electrical inspectors and commissioners."

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The Julien Electric Traction Company.-This New York company has issued the following manifesto"To stockholders-In view of the recent decision of Judge Lacombe, assigning to this company a defini and specific process of making its storage batteries a distinguished from other methods, we have concluded to temporarily suspend the operation of our cars in this city pending the manufacture of batteries according the method prescribed by the Court. The factory s Camden will expedite the manufacture of batteries so as to enable us within a few weeks to resume operations. It is gratifying to know that the Court has finally determined the respective rights of this com pany and the complainants as to the methods to be employed by each in making batteries, more especially as the method we shall now employ is not only practical but, in the opinion of such competent experts as Prof Cross, of the Institute of Technology; Prof. Brackett, of Princeton College; and Prof. Edward Weston, of Newark, is superior to the method awarded to the complainant."

The Electric Light at the Guikwar's Palace.-The whole palace has been fitted up by Messrs. Siemens and Company with the electric light. The interior is li with 215 16-candle-power incandescent lights. The large hall is illuminated with two large 12-light electroliers made in bronze and lacquered work, while the light is softened and diffused by dioptric shades. Single lights are also pendant from the ends of the columns of the gallery. In some of the other rooms are 3 and 4-light electroliers, made in a variety of pretty designs to suit the surroundings. In two of the bedrooms the mirrors have been specially fitted with brackets, which will permit of their being shifted from one room to another; and there is introduced a hand lamp, which can be moved about at pleasure. An important feature in the installation is the complete arrangement of switches and safety fuses. I many of the old systems there was always the danger of the wires becoming overheated and setting fire to the building in which they were laid; but it is claimed that with improvement which Messrs. Siemens have introduced, this is impossible.

Maltese Lightning Commission. — The Deputy Governor of Malta has appointed a commission for the purpose of enquiring into and reporting upon the circumstances attendant upon the death by lightning which took place near Rabato, Malta, on the night of the 29th ult., and with reference to the danger or inconvenience which may, in certain cases, result from telegraph or telephone wires fixed against inhabited buildings. The members of the Commission are:The Hon. G. C. Schinas, Ph., D.C.E., Superintendent of Public Works; Prof. S. L. Pisani, M.D., Chief Government Medical Officer; Captain Middlemass R.E.; Prof. H. Magro, M.D.; John McGill, Eastern Telegraph Company.

Lecture on the Telephone.-A lecture of unusual interest was recently delivered by Mr. Alfred Coleman, general manager of the National Telephone Company, Birmingham, in connection with the Aston Free Library Lectures. An exemplification of the practical working of the telephone was given, the platform being for the time converted into a telephonic exchange, two instruments fixed at the lower end of the room representing the speaking stations of two subscribers. Photographs of all the principal exchanges in Great Britain were shown by the lime-light, and at the conclusion of the lecture a practical demonstration was given of the capabilities of the telephone for transmitting sounds over long distances, a cornet solo played at Bradford being distinctly heard by the whole audie the lecture-room at Aston.

The Supply of Coal.—The President of the Manchester Geological Society considers that the supply of ca will have run out in the year 2118. Meanwhile, there will be a constant rise in the price, which will materially affect those industries dependent on steam power.

Telegraph Poles Wanted.-Tenders are asked for a supply of creosoted Swedish or Norwegian fir poles of stout specification for delivery in Scotland during next six months, for the National Telephone Company Particulars may be obtained on application to the secretary of the company, Oxford Court, Cannon Street London.

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he Erection of Telephone Poles at Bournemouth.Bournemouth Improvement Commissioners had ore them at this month's meeting an application n the telephone company, seeking permission to et some poles near the Common. Mr. George thought the wooden poles were very unsightly, and a great figurement to the town. He proposed that permisn should only be accorded in future on condition t iron standards were substituted. Mr. George's sugtion was adopted.

A Borough Engineer on Electricity.-Mr. H. Percy alnois, C.E., Borough Engineer of Portsmouth, in e course of his inaugural address as President of the rtsmouth Literary and Scientific Society, said it was rious to see how much more extensive was the use of ectricity in the United States than in England, for hereas here there were not a hundred motors worked the transmission of electricity from a central station, ere were upwards of six thousand such machines in merica. He referred to an application of electricity hich might be seen in the electric railway on Ryde er. This was a very curious illustration of the transission of power to a distance. The coal was conmed at the gasworks. The gas product of this conmption was carried in a pipe to the shore end of the er. Here an Otto gas engine worked a dynamo, hich sent the power down the line aud carried the assengers from one end of the pier to the other. He ext showed how rapidly the telephone had grown in ublic favour since the original invention was only exibited by Prof. Bell at the Philadelphia Exhibition n 1876. The phonograph, he said, had hitherto remained only a scientific toy, but improvements were Low being made which would render it valuable.

As Others See Us.-Mr. T. D. Lockwood, on October 5th, read, before the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, a chatty and interesting paper on a "Transatlantic Trip." Speaking of the British telegraphs, he says:-"The facilities for telegraphy in the United Kingdom are wonderfully complete, and I found no place too small for a telegraph office; moreover, in my opinion, telegraphy is there cheap, in spite of the fact that the address and signature has to be counted in and paid for. The dynamo does not appear to be employed as a source of telegraphic currents, and here I think the British telegraph system is a little behind the times. Yet, as far back as 1873, I understand that Mr. Preece experimented with the Gramme machine for this purpose, but found it too unsteady for the Wheatstone automatic instruments. Although, generally speaking, electric lighting is a thing of the future, isolated house lighting is, however, well advanced. Inquiries which I made proved that this branch of incandescent electric lighting, which has overflowed upon the steamships and boats, is very popular. In the several examples of it, which came under my personal notice, the electricity is drawn from secondary batteries, which are, during the day, charged by dynamo. Long line telephone work in Great Britain is, of course, limited by the size of the island, and by the peculiar relative position of the large towns. I found very good talking between Birmingham and the several towns of Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham; between Glasgow and Edinburgh and Dundee; and especially fine from Sunderland to points upward of a hundred miles distant. For these latter distances circuits had to be artificially made up. In London there are necessarily many central telephone stations. As to electrical construction outside I may say, without hesitation, that the average is far above ours, whether telegraphic, telephonic, or otherwise. The poles are no longer than are necessary, are uniformly well trimmed and painted, and above all, are well stayed.

559

An Electric Car on Fire.-The Electric Age of New York says gross neglect on the part of one of the promoters of the Thomson-Houston motor systems in allowing unskilled persons to handle its apparatus caused an electric street car in Atlanta, Ga., to be fired while crossing the long trestle, about a mile from that city, on October 25th. The car was crowded with passengers at the time, and, in the scramble to escape, many persons were injured. The fire probably originated in a hot journal, but that fact will not lessen the condemnation of electric systems in general by the public at large. In fact, advices from Atlanta are to the effect that the accident has crystallised public opinion that that the electric cars must be placed in the hands of intelligent persons or removed from the streets. Economy can be carried too far by motor as well as electric light companies, it appears. Electric light companies wired buildings with poorly insulated conductors until the Board of Underwriters were compelled, for their own protection, to demand reforms; the overhead wires were strung along the streets, without the slightest regard to public safety, until the clamour for their removal became irresistible, and now the electric motor business is to be handicapped by the penny-wise-and-pound-foolish policy. Truly, economy is electricity's worst enemy.

The Lighting of the "Three Towns."-It is said there will be considerable competition in the lighting of Plymouth.

Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.-We have to hand the sessional arrangements, and note with satisfaction that very good lectures will be delivered during the winter months. In the series of Cantor Lectures we see Prof. Silvanus P. Thompson will deliver four lectures on "The Electro-magnet."

NEW COMPANIES REGISTERED.

Taylor and Challen, Limited.-Capital, £40,000, in £10 shares. Objects: To acquire the business of Messrs. Taylor and Challen, of the Derwent Foundry, Constitution Hill, Birmingham, and to trade as civil, consulting, mechanical, electrical, and general engineers. Signatories (with 1 share each): *Joseph Taylor, *J. S. Taylor, Miss E. A. Taylor, *S. W. Challen, *W. B. Challen, Mrs. S. W. Challen, all of Birmingham; J. C. Bayliss, Handsworth. The signatories denoted by an asterisk are the first directors; qualification, £500 in share capital; the company in general meeting will determine remuneration. Registered 7th inst. by Crowder and Vizard, 55, Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Lange and Company, Limited.-Capital £10,000, in £50 shares. Objects: To acquire the business of Lange and Co., of Boulogne-sur-Mer. To supply electric light and power in France or elsewhere. Signatories (with 1 share each): *F. M. T. Lange, Boulogne, electric engineer; D. F. Adamson, Surbiton, electrician; Mrs. E. Tabor, 29, Westbourne Terrace; S. S. Harper, Lloyds ; *G. H. Verity, 31, King Street, Covent Garden; J. W. Adamson, 26, Billiter Street, E.C.; S. Thomson, 165, Fenchurch Street, solicitor. The subscribers denoted by an asterisk are the first directors; qualification, 1 share. Mr. F. M. T. Lange is to receive a remuneration of £250 per annum, and 10 per cent. of all profits dis

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ELECTRICAL REVIEW.

tributable after payment of 10 per cent. per annum dividend. Registered 8th inst. by Bonner, Wright and Co., 165, Fenchurch Street.

[NOVEMBER 15, 1989

is £50,000 in £5 shares, the whole of which are take up. The calls paid amount to £49,965, and unpad: £35. Registered office, 33, Old Broad Street.

"Batava," Limited.-Capital £100,000, in £1 shares. Objects: To carry on, in Holland, the business of manufacturers of margarine, dairymen, ice merchants, tinsmiths, waterworks proprietors, electricians, electrical engineers, suppliers of electricity and of the electric light. Signatories (with 1 share each): "W. Salmonski, Nijmegen, Holland; C. Scott, St. Albans ; J. Gardner, 81, Gracechurch Street; H. S. Lidstone, 37, Great Tower Street; J. A. Gardner, 81, Gracechurch Street; A. H. Boxall, 37, Great Tower Street; S. B. Wiatt, 37, Great Tower Street. The signatories denoted by an asterisk and E. Morris, F. Mason, A. R. Dyer, C. F. Huffman, D. Evans, and E. S. Boord are the first directors; qualification, £500 in shares or debentures. Remuneration will be fixed at the statutory meeting. Registered office, 81, Gracechurch Street. Registered 9th inst. by Baker and Nairne, 6, Crosby Square.

OFFICIAL RETURNS OF ELECTRICAL

COMPANIES.

Keswick Electric Lighting Company, Limited.-The statutory return of this company is made up to the 15th August. The nominal capital is £5,000, in £1 shares. The shares taken up are 2,265, upon which 10s. per share has been called, the calls paid amounting to £1,132 10s. Registered office, St. John Street, Keswick.

Medical Battery Company, Limited.-The statutory return of this company is made up to the 5th September. The nominal capital is £100,000 in £5 shares, the whole of which are taken up. 19,993 shares are considered fully paid, and the full amount has been paid upon the remaining seven shares. Registered office, 52, Oxford Street; C. R. Sharman, secretary.

Crompton Electric Supply Company of Australia, Limited. The statutory return of this company, made up to the 26th ult., was filed on the 4th inst. The nominal capital is £50,000, divided into 9,500 "A" and 500 "B" shares of £5 each. The shares taken up are 2,895 "A," upon which £2 per share has been called, and 500 "B" shares issued as fully paid. The calls paid, including £120 payment in full amount to £3,070, and unpaid to £2,840. Registered office, Mansion House Buildings, 4, Queen Victoria Street.

Electrical Power Storage Company, Limited.-At a special general meeting of this company, held at 4, Great Winchester Street, on the 16th ult., the following resolution was duly passed, viz :-" That the company be wound up voluntarily under the provisions of the Companies' Acts, 1862 and 1867, and that John Irving Courtenay, Esq., of 4, Great Winchester Street, London, E.C., managing director of the company, be, and he is hereby appointed liquidator, for the purposes of such winding up." This resolution was confirmed on the 1st inst., and was duly filed on the 4th inst.

Halifax and Bermudas Cable Company, Limited.The statutory return of this company, made up to the ult., was filed on the 8th ult. The nominal capital

Woking Electric Supply Company, Limited.-T statutory return of this company, made up to the ult., was registered 11th ult. The nominal capital » £20,000 in £5 shares. 467 shares are taken up. which 400 are considered fully paid up. Срод shares there has been a call of 5s., and upon 7 shares call of £1 58., the calls paid amount to £23 15s. E gistered office, Board School Road, Woking.

An agreement of 11th July with Messrs. Rensta King and Company, of Kidsgrove, Stafford, states the the company has received from the said firm a certa tender to provide the necessary funds for payment of formation and registration expenses, to provide 1 freehold site for the works, to erect the plan machinery and station outfit for generating electric for 1,500 16-candle-power incandescent lamps, and to erect the necessary buildings for the same; and t provide and erect four miles of pole lines, including poles, insulators, supply and service cable transformer &c., required for the effective supply of electricity, w not less than 40 poles per mile, and to maintain the works in good order for one month after completio for the sum of £10,000 in fully paid shares. The agreement provides for the issue of the said shares.

LEGAL.

United Telephone Company v. Mitchell.—This action came before Mr. Justice Chitty, in the Chancery Division o Saturday last, on motion for judgment in default of defence. M Micklem stated that the defendant had put in no pleading Particulars of breaches of patent had been delivered by t plaintiffs, containing the charges against the defendant. A drst order had now been prepared, which the Court was asked to adopt in the form made in previous cases of a similar character. Cora charges and expenses were asked against the defendant in the matter. Order accordingly as asked by plaintiffs.

CITY NOTES, REPORTS, MEETINGS, &c.

The Swan United Electric Light Company,
Limited.

THE ordinary general meeting of this company was held on
Wednesday at Cannon Street Hotel.

The Chairman, Mr. J. S. Forbes, said: After referring to the figures given in the report published in the REVIEW last wed that probably there had been a very large diminution in the volume of the business, they had parted with patents of o siderable value to Continental companies of which they were members. In virtue of the amalgamation with the Edisc Company they had received shares to the value of their patents, and were owners of 40 per cent. of the undertaking the result had been that a dividend had been declared on Dec ber 31st amounting to 6 per cent. It was the first occasion ( which the directors of Edison and Swan had felt justified in app tioning any amount of the profit of their undertaking for th purposes of dividend. For a number of years that company to write down losses incurred in the initiation of the business, a until that had been done they could not declare any dividend That made a dividend of 10 per cent. on the Edison and Swa shares, which, as they knew, they held a large number. Of course the result would not have been satisfactory had it not been for the holding which they had in the Edison Company and Compan Générale. The long and short of the matter was that the Swan Copany virtually existed as owners of shares with two companies. The French company had an admirable factory, and there was every reason they would create a business on the Continent like they had built up in England. They (the Swan Company) had oy

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REVIEW

factory, the lease of which would expire in June next. Before t time they would have to consider whether they could go on with Meanwhile it was necessary they should go on with the work the lamp was well thought of in Germany. Judging by the e of the lamps, it was a bad business; but doubtless the exses would be reduced next year. He might just mention the pany had litigation going on in Germany, which was a very wprocess. They had a balance of £21,000, which represented available profit which could be recommended for division, hough, in the face of possible actions, it would be wise to retain ortion. It was the first meeting at which the directors had had pleasure of declaring a dividend, and the shareholders could agine how they felt as compared with previous years. It was, fact, a red-letter day. He had little doubt that there had been much brains expended upon their small capital as upon many llions spent in bigger enterprise. Their future depended gely upon the investments in the two companies. The Edison mpany was well-nigh invulnerable in the patents; the efficiency the lamps increased day by day. He begged to propose that › report and accounts be adopted.

Mr. F. R. Leyland seconded the motion, which was adopted animously.

The Chairman then proposed a dividend at the rate of 6 per at., which was carried.

On the motion of Mr. F. R. Leyland, seconded by Mr. Swan, r. Forbes was re-elected a director, as also Mr. Batt. Messrs. Wilton, Jones & Co. were then re-elected auditors at a muneration of 50 guineas per year.

The Western and Brazilian Telegraph Company, Limited.

HE eighteenth ordinary general meeting of this company was ld on Wednesday at Winchester House, in accordance with the >tice given in the report published last week, which shows the resent position of the company with regard to the Brazilian overnment. Mr. W. S. Andrews occupied the chair.

The Secretary, having read the notice convening the meeting, The Chairman said his task was not quite so satisfactory as reviously, as he had a matter to deal with of considerable im>rtance. After dealing with the accounts given in the report, he ent on to deal with the subject of the loop cables. Although they ad, from the competition of the Brazilian Government, suffered, was not so material as might have been. The report would have repared the shareholders for the statement which he would Lake. The decision of the Brazilian Government was that he company was not to be allowed to lay cables on those routes hich they conceived to be necessary for the best interests of the ervice. They did not intend to say that the lines could not be aintained without the loops, because they had always done so. till they believed they were entitled to lay them to keep the ervice in as efficient a manner as possible. In 1873 the Brazilian 'mpire, occupying a most isolated position, resolved that a conession should be given to establish communication between Brazil and Europe, which concession was opposed by the Directorleneral of Brazil, who thought that the Government might hemselves overcome the obstacles and establish a system. As his would take a very considerable period a concession was ranted to this company to lay not only a line to Europe, but also long the Brazilian Coast, thus getting much earlier the beneits which results from connection with the civilised world. inishing of the cable was greeted by public enthusiasm, and the Emperor himself came down to the beach and assisted in drawing up the end of the cable. However, when they wanted to strengthen che cables the company were informed that they could not lay a Loop cable without a further concession, which is in direct opposition to the original concession. He considered the advice offered to the Brazilian Government by the Director-General was scarcely fair, for, reading the clause, it was intended that the company should have the international traffic. A great amount of correspondence had taken place on this matter, but nothing satisfactory had yet been come to. The competition of the Brazilian Government was not the only one they had to meet. A company was to be formed under the guarantee of the Argentine Federation, which would run from the territory of the Argentine Federation the whole of the way to Europe, a distance of 5,000 miles. Whether that undertaking would succeed or not was a matter for the future. With regard to the future dividend, they were not likely to maintain the dividend for the next half year, because the revenue was extremely unsatisfactory.

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Mr. Griffiths considered that the Brazilian Government had broken the contract made with the company, and not only was it a violation of the concession, but was contrary to international law. He suggested that a memorial should be presented to the Government for redressing their wrongs.

The report being adopted, the proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

West India and Panama Telegraph Company,

Limited.

THE twenty-fifth ordinary general meeting of this company was held at Winchester House, Old Broad Street, on Wednesday, Mr. C. W. Earle presiding. The Chairman said: The report

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was the best in its result that they had ever presented. had been an increase in the half-year over the corresponding previous period of £672. Working expenses showed a slight increase. There was a decrease of £3,459 in repairing expenses, which satisfactory condition he hoped would continue. With regard to the present position and immediate future of the company, he felt they touched upon delicate ground. There was a great deal which came before the directors in the daily management of affairs of which it would not be expedient to speak about; very often dangers that one saw in the distance might be made certainties by any allusion from the chair. At the same time there had been so much correspondence as to the prospects that for the safety of the concern, especially with gard to subsidies from colonies, it was essential that he should caution the shareholders against too exaggerated views of what the future might be. Their horizon in the West Indies was never entirely clear of clouds. Shareholders must understand that a great deal of revenue depended on subsidies, many of which were annually voted by elective assemblies. They had found that very strange misstatements and garbled accounts were given at those assemblies of what was the then existing condition of the submarine service. He had been told that it was steadily maintained in one assembly that there was only one cable, whereas there had been two for the last ten years. They had also the active opposition of a French company. It was very necessary that an inflated idea should not go forth as to their prosperity, because colonies might think, in face of the prosperity of the company, their subsidy was not required. He concluded by moving the adoption of the report.

Mr. Forbes, in seconding the resolution, expressed his extreme satisfaction at the present position of the company. After the lapse of 20 years submergence of the cables they were in efficient working order. They had succeeded, after many laborious years, in bringing together and retaining a substantial reserve fund.

The Rev. R. Fitzgerald asked the question whether the directors did not see their way to dispense with the services of one of the two ships at present employed; also as to whether the reserve fund, £150,000, with the interest, was not large enough without drawing from the earnings.

The Chairman, in reply, said, with regard to the steamer question, they would be glad to get rid of one of the steamers if possible, but at present this would not be a justifiable course. The reserve fund, in his opinion, taking into account the circumstance, was not by any means a heavy one, and was necessary to keep out other companies.

The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.

Woodhouse and Rawson United.

THE first ordinary general meeting of shareholders of this company was held on Tuesday at Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C., Sir Rawson W. Rawson in the chair.

The secretary (Mr. M. J. R. Dundas) read the notice convening the meeting.

The Chairman: Gentlemen, my first duty to-day is to convey to you the expression of extreme regret of our esteemed chairman, Lord Aberdare, which he has conveyed to us in a note received two days ago, that he was not able to attend this meeting. Some of you may be aware that he had a very serious illness just about the time of the formation of this company, which has confined him for a long time to his house in South Wales, and he is not able to come up to London for the express purpose of this meeting. My colleagues have done me the honour to ask me to fill his place -very inadequately, I fear-on this occasion, but the duty is so simple that perhaps I may not have any difficulty in acquitting myself of it. Our object in meeting you to-day is to comply with the legal formality of holding a statutory meeting within a limited time after the formation of the company. We have not to ask your approval of any propositions to-day, but simply to report to you that all the necessary formalities connected with the constitution of the company, and the amalgamation of the businesses of the several companies which are now united in this one, have been completed. The attention of the board has been necessarily directed mainly to that object, for there was a great complication, as you can well imagine, in amalgamating and combining and organising the business of so many companies, and such a variety of businesses-a manufacturing business, a supply business, a contract business, and foreign businesses. It has been a labour for the directors which they have gladly undertaken, and which I hope they have successfully accomplished. We have also had the material difficulty of removing our whole establishment from the premises occupied by Woodhouse and Rawson, Limited, to those which we have now engaged in a most convenient situation, and I am happy to say, at a very slightly increased expense, close to the Mansion House Station. Our present premises look both into Cannon Street and Queen Victoria Street. They are very capacious, and are peculiarly adapted for a business of this nature-extensive rooms below, extensive rooms above-where we can keep our stock, and, we hope, satisfy all our customers who come to us for supply. The directors have made the shareholders acquainted with the circumstances of the company from the beginning. In our circular of August 2nd we explained the circumstances that had delayed

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