14.

gramme per second, may be taken as a current of one ampere. II. That an alternating current of one ampere shall mean a current such that the square root of the time-average of the square of its strength at each instant in amperes is unity. 12. That instruments constructed on the principle of the balance, in which by the proper disposition of the conductors forces of attraction and repulsion are produced, which depend upon the amount of current passing, and are balanced by known weights, should be adopted as the Board of Trade standards for the measurement of current, whether unvarying or alternating. 13. That the standard of electrical pressure should be denominated the volt, being the pressure which, if steadily applied to a conductor whose resistance is one ohm, will produce a current of one ampere. That the electrical pressure at a temperature of 62deg. F. between the poles or electrodes of the voltaic cell known as Clark's cell, may be taken as not differing from 1433 volts by more than an amount which will be determined by a sub-committee appointed to investigate the question, who will prepare a specification for the construction and use of the cell. 15. That an alternating pressure of one volt shall mean a pressure such that the square root of the time-average of the square of its value at each instant in volts in unity. 16. That instruments constructed on the principle of Sir W. Thomson's quadrant electrometer used idiostatically, and for high-pressure instruments on the principle of the balance, electrostatic forces being balanced against a known weight, should be adopted as Board of Trade standards for the measurement of pressure, whether unvarying or alternating."

7. We have adopted the system of electrical units originally defined by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and we have found in its recent researches, as well as in the deliberations of the International Congress on Electrical Units, held in Paris, valuable guidance for determining the exact magnitude of the several units of electrical measurement, as well as for the verification of the material standards. 8. We have stated the relation between the proposed standard ohm and the unit of resistance originally determined by the British Association, and have also stated its relation to the mercurial standard adopted by the International Conference. 9. We find that considerations of practical importance make it undesirable to adopt a mercurial standard. We have therefore preferred to adopt a material standard constructed in solid metal. 10. It appears to us to be necessary that in transactions between buyer and seller a legal character should henceforth be assigned to the units of electrical measurement now suggested, and with this view that the issue of an Order in Council should be recommended, under the Weights and Measures Act, in the form annexed to this report.

SPECIFICATION REFERRED TO IN RESOLUTION 10.

In the following specification the term silver voltameter means the arrangement of apparatus by means of which an electric current is passed through a solution of nitrate of silver in water. The silver voltameter measures the total electrical quantity which has passed during the time of the experiment, and by noting this time, the time-average of the current; or if the current has remained constant, the current itself can be reduced. In employing the silver voltameter to measure currents of about one ampere the following arrangements should be adopted. The cathode on which the silver is to be deposited should take the form of a platinum bowl not less than 10 cm. in diameter, and from 4 cm. to 5 cm. in depth. The anode should be a plate of pure silver some 30 square centimetres area and 2 mm. or 3 mm, in thickness. This is supported horizontally in the liquid near the top of the solution by a platinum wire passed through holes in the plates at opposite corners. prevent the disintegrated silver which is formed on the anode from falling on to the cathode, the anode should be wrapped round with pure filter paper, secured at the back with a little sealing-wax. The liquid should consist of a neutral solution of pure silver nitrate, containing about 15 parts by weight of salt to 85 parts of water. The resistance of the voltameter changes somewhat as the current passes. To prevent these changes having too great an effect on the current, some resistance besides that of the voltameter should be inserted in the circuit. The total resistance of the circuit should not be less than 10 ohms.

Method of Making a Measurement.

To

Care

The platinum bowl is washed with nitric acid and distilled water, dried by heat, and then left to cool in a dessicator. When thoroughly dry it is weighed carefully. It is nearly filled with the solution, and connected to the rest of the circuit by being placed on a clean copper support, to which a binding screw is attached. This copper support must be insulated. The anode is then immersed in the solution so as to be well covered by it and supported in that position; the connections to the rest of the circuit are made. Contact is made at the key, noting the time of contact. The current is allowed to pass for not less than half-anhour, and the time at which contact is broken is observed. must be taken that the clock used is keeping correct time during this interval. The solution is now removed from the bowl, and the deposit is washed with distilled water, and left to soak for at least six hours. It is then rinsed successively with distilled water and alcohol, and dried in a hot-air bath at a temperature of about 160 deg.C. After cooling in a dessicator it is weighed again. The gain in weight gives the silver deposited. To find the current in amperes, this weight, expressed in grammes, must be divided by the number of seconds during which the current has been passed and by 001118. The result will be the time-average of the current, if during the interval the current has varied. In determining by this method the constant of an instrument the current should be kept as nearly constant as possible, and the readings of the instru

ments taken at frequent observed intervals of time. These observations give a curve from which the reading corresponding to the mean current time-average of the current can be found. The current, as calculated by the voltameter, corresponds to this reading.

PROVISIONAL MEMORANDUM ON THE PREPARATION OF CLARK'S STANDARD CELL.

Definition of the Cell.

The cell consists of zinc and mercury in a saturated solution of zinc sulphate and mercurous sulphate in water, prepared with mercurous sulphate in excess, and is conveniently contained in a cylindrical glass vessel.

PREPARATION OF THE MATERIALS.

1. The Mercury.-To secure purity it should be first treated with acid in the usual manner, and subsequently distilled in vacuo. 2. The Zinc.-Take a portion of a rod of pure zinc, solder to one end a piece of copper wire, clean the whole with glass paper, carefully removing any loose pieces of the zinc. Just before making up the cell dip the zinc into dilute sulphuric acid, wash with distilled water, and dry with a clean cloth or filter paper.

3. The Zinc Sulphate Solution.-Prepare a saturated solution of pure "pure recrystallised "-zinc sulphate by mixing in a flask of distilled water with nearly twice its weight of crystals of pure zinc sulphate, and adding a little zinc carbonate to neutralise any free acid. The whole of the crystals should be dissolved with the aid of gentle heat-i.e., not exceeding a temperature of 30deg. C., and the solution filtered, while still warm, into a stock bottle. Crystals should form as it cools.

4. The Mercurous Sulphate. -Take mercurous sulphate, purchased as pure, and wash it thoroughly with cold distilled water by agitation in a bottle; drain off the water and repeat the process at least twice. After the last washing, drain off as much of the water as possible. Mix the washed mercurous sulphate with the zinc sulphate solution, adding sufficient crystals of zinc sulphate from the stock bottle to ensure saturation, and of small quantity of pure mercury. Shake these up well together to form a paste of the cousistence of cream. Heat the paste sufficiently to dissolve the crystals, but not above a temperature of 30 per cent.; keep the paste for an hour at this temperature, agitating it from time to time, then allow it to cool. Crystals of zinc sulphate should then be distinctly visible throughout the mass; if this is not the case add more crystals from the stock bottle, and repeat the process. This method ensures the formation of a saturated solution of zinc and mercurous sulphates in water. The presence of the free mercury throughout the paste preserves the basicity of the salt, and is of the utmost importance. Contact is made with the mercury by means of a platinum wire about No 22 gauge. This is protected from contact with the other materials of the cell by being sealed into a glass tube. The ends of the wire project from the ends of the tube; one end forms the terminal, the other end and a portion of the glass tube dip into the mercury.

TO SET UP THE CELL.

Then

The cell may conveniently be set up in a small test tube of about 2 cm. diameter, and 6 cm. or 7 cm. deep. Place the mercury in the bottom of this tube, filling it to a depth of, say, 15 cm. Cut a cork about 15 cm. thick to fit the tube; at one side of the cork bore a hole through which the zinc rod can pass tightly; at the other side bore another hole for the glass tube which covers the platinum wire; at the edge of the cork cut a nick through which the air can pass when the cork is pushed into the tube. Pass the zinc rod about 1 cm. through the cork. Clean the glass tube and platinum wire carefully, then heat the exposed end of the platinum red hot, and insert it in the mercury in the test tube, taking care that the whole of the exposed platinum is covered. Shake up the paste, and introduce it without contact with the upper part of the walls of the test tube, filling the tube above the mercury to a depth of rather more than 2 cm. insert the cork and zinc rod, passing the glass tube through the hole prepared for it. Push the cork gently down until its lower surface is nearly in contact with the liquid. The air will thus be nearly all expelled, and the cell should be left in this condition for at least 24 hours before sealing, which should be done as follows. Melt some marine glue until it is fluid enough to pour by its own weight, and pour it into the test tube above the cork, using sufficient to cover completely the zinc and soldering. The glass tube should project above the top of the marine glue. The cell thus set up may be mounted in any desirable manner. It is convenient to arrange the mounting so that the cell may be immersed in a water bath up to the level of, say, the upper surface of the cork. Its temperature can then be determined more accurately than is possible when the cell is in air.

CITY NOTES.

Brazilian Submarine Telegraph Company.-The receipts for the past week were £5,279.

Great Northern Telegraph Company.-The receipts for the month of August were £23,600.

Commercial Cable Company.-The Company announce the payment, on October 1, of the usual quarterly dividend at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum.

Western and Brazilian Telegraph Company.-The receipts for the week ended Sept. 4, after deducting 17 per cent, of the

gross receipts payable to the London-Platino Brazilian Company, were £3,565.

Cuba Submarine Telegraph Company. The estimated traffic receipts for the month of August were £3,000, as compared with £2,913 in the corresponding month of last year.

City and South London Railway. The receipts for the week ending (and including Sunday) 6th inst., were £671. 138. 11d., against £716. 19s. for the week ending August 30.

Companies of the Month. The following electrical companies have been registered during the past month:

14752. Improvements in appliances for use with incandescence lamps. Arthur Heald, Broad-street House, London. 14754. New or improved apparatus for electrically indicating the overheating of bearings. Bernard Page Scattergood, 38, Chancery-lane, London.

14764. Improvements in armatures for dynamo-electric generators and electric motors. William Phillips Thompson, 6, Lord-street, Liverpool. (James Francis McLaughlin, United States.) (Complete specification.) 14768. Improvements in lightning arresters. William Phillips Thompson, 6, Lord-street, Liverpool. (James Perry Freeman, United States.) (Complete specification.) 14780. Improvements relating to telegraphy. Benjamin Burdwood Toye, 106, Victoria-chambers, Chancery-lane, London.

14790. Improvements in electrical switches. Walter Poynter Adams, Springwell, The Terrace, Barnes. 14794. Improvements in percussion drills and other percussion tools worked by electricity. Siemens Bros. and Co., Limited, 28, Southampton-buildings, London. (Siemens and Halske, Germany.)

14796. Electric meter for continuous or alternating currents, also applicable as speed indicator and speed regulator. Charles Denton Abel, 28, Southampton-buildings, London. (La Compagnie Anonyme Continentale pour la fabrication des Compteurs à Gaz et autres appareils, France.) (Complete specification.)

14800. Improvements in and relating to electric metal working apparatus. Henry Harris Lake, 45, Southampton-buildings, London. (Hermann Lemp, United States.) SEPTEMBER 2.

14817. Improvements in and connected with electric tramcars. William Edwin Heys, 70, Market-street, Manchester. (Charles Brown, France.)

14834. Improvements in and connected with electricallypropelled vehicles. William Edwin Heys, 70, Marketstreet, Manchester. (Charles Brown, France.) 14854. Improvements in materials for insulating electrical conducting wires, and for making carbons and incandescent filaments for electric lighting. Gustave Adolphe Cannot, 35, Southampton-buildings, London.

14859. An improvement in incandescent electric lamps. Edward Alfred Gimingham, 28, Southampton-buildings, London.

SEPTEMBER 3.

14874. An improvement in electric light switches. R. H. Newington and E. Priddle, 4, Berry-street, Clerkenwell, London.

14911. Telephone receiver supports. William Nathaniel Marcus, 97, Newgate-street, London. (Date applied for under Patents Act, 1883, Sec. 103, 10th February, 1891, being date of application in United States. (Complete specifi cation.)

14912. Telephone mouth-pieces. William Nathaniel Marcus, 97, Newgate-street, London. (Date applied for under Patents Act, 1883, Sec. 103, 10th February, 1891, being date of application in United States.) (Complete specification.) 14916. Improvements in magnetic separators. Thomas William Arnold, 88, Colmore-row, Birmingham.

14920. Improvements in insulators for telegraph and other wires. Karl Schmaus, 18, Buckingham-street, London. SEPTEMBER 4.

Walter Northcott

15014. An improved electric belt or band. Naylor, 21, Finsbury-pavement, London. 15025. An improved apparatus for propelling one or more imitation birds by electricity for shooting at. Archibald McLean Gordon, and Edmund Kelly Irwin, 89, Wigmorestreet, Cavendish-square, London.

15050. Improvements in or connected with electrolysis. Ernest Arthur Le Sueur, 47, Lincoln's-inn-fields, London. 15051. Improvements in medical electric appliances. Charles Spilsbury Stovin, 2, Victoria-mansions, Westminster, London.

15052. Improvements in medical electric appliances. Charles Spilsbury Stovin, 2, Victoria-mansions, Westminster, London.

Halifax, jumped from the car. The cars were stopped just as they touched. The lady was seriously injured, and the drivers were immediately arrested.

Tiverton.-At the meeting of the Tiverton Town Council last week, Mr. Grason said he was sorry the report of the Electric Lighting Committee had not yet been pre

Electric Railways in Russia.-The first electric railway in Russia is being constructed at Kiev by the Allgemeine Electric Company of Berlin.

Dundee.-As will be seen by the full report elsewhere, the Dundee Gas Commission has resolved to spend £15,000 to £20,000 on a preliminary electric central station.

Darwen.-The Town Council of Darwen are spending £10,000 on improving their town. The present might The present might be a favourable moment for introducing the electric light. Paris National Library. It is hoped that the Bibliothèque Nationale at Paris may be lighted by electricity during the coming winter. The Budget grant, however, has not yet been made.

Bradford. At the Bradford Town Council meeting last week, Alderman Priestman stated that there was a loss of £30 on the working of the electric lighting department in the last half-year. He had no doubt that next halfyear's working would yield a profit.

Electric Traction at Madrid. The question of electric traction on the tramways is occupying much attention at Madrid, we understand. It is reported by the Spanish papers that one of the four tramway companies of Madrid is intending to instal the Gordon closed conduit system.

Malvern. At the Malvern Local Board on Tuesday, a letter was received from Messrs. Griffiths and Millington, of Worcester, asking upon what terms the Board would be prepared to grant the right which had been obtained to supply the electric light. The decision upon the question was deferred.

Hand Dynamos.-We notice a neat and simple arrangement of hand dynamo made by Societa Elettrica Industriale, of Milan, which can be used for lecture experiments for charging small accumulators, lighting small lamps, or driving small motors. It is of inverted magnet type, giving opportunity for inspection of armature.

Testing Cables. We notice that a useful work, entitled "A Practical Guide to the Testing of Insulated Wires and Cables," by Herbert Lawes Webb, member American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, London, after having been published in America, is being also published in this country by Messrs. Spon.

Accident on the Portrush Electric Railway.Two trams got upon the same line on the Giant's Causeway electric tramway last Saturday morning, and thinking the cars were going to collide, Mr. Hall and his wite, of

meeting. Meanwhile it was thought desirable that the whole of the Council should pay an official visit to the electrical engineering exhibition at Taunton.

Munich. The builder of the Cassel electricity works, Herr von Müller, has laid before the Munich municipal authorities his project for the utilisation of the water power of the Isar for electrical purposes. A preliminary force of 1,200 h.p. can be obtained, which will be used to produce rotary currents of 2,000 volts pressure. It is proposed to put transformers in each factory for alternate-current motors as well as light.

Electric Hand Fan.-Mr. William Luce, of Boston, is introducing a neat little invention for the ladies-a pendant to the electric cigar lighter-in the shape of an electric hand fan. The wings fold up and slip in the handle; on unfolding and connecting to a wall socket, pressure on a little knob sets the tiny fan rotating and sending "a gentle breeze to cool the glow of beauty's o'erflushed cheek."

Bradford Municipal Buildings. Tenders are invited for carrying out works required in connection with the lighting by electricity of certain rooms in the Municipal Buildings, for the Bradford Corporation. Plans and specifications may be seen at the office of Mr. W. T. M'Gowen, town clerk, Town Hall, Bradford. Sealed tenders, endorsed "Tender for Electric Lighting," to be forwarded to the town clerk by 28th inst.

Proposed Electrical Exhibition in Glasgow.— The success which attended the Industrial Exhibition recently held in the East End of Glasgow had led to the suggestion, says the Scotsman, that an electrical engineering exhibition should be promoted in the same building during the winter months, and a prospectus has been issued setting forth the nature of the articles to be shown. One of the principal attractions would be Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, which in any case will visit the district in November and remain till February.

Cologne. The electric distribution from the new central station at Cologne is by alternate currents and transformers. The cables are buried in asphalte poured into wooden conduits. Herr Hegener, the director of this station, is greatly in favour of transformers as against accumulators. He states, in illustration of his views, that the efficiency of the accumulators in the Darmstadt station has dropped from 62.1 to 57.8 per cent. within a year. It is clear, however, that differences of manipulation might cause such variations from one year to another.

by

New Zealand. -The Town Council of Launceston, Tasmania, it is stated, proposes to introduce the electric light at an estimated cost of £50,000, to be gene water power at a distance of some three mile has obtained an Electric Light Act, in whic provision is inserted that the cost of electri for public and private purposes, may be met to exceed 7 per cent., in the way the wa for in this country. Where the curren not available, the rate is to be reduced

Electric Mining in South Afr been made to use electric transm

Eureka Mine of the Victory Hill Consolidated Mining Company, South Africa. Both mine and mill would be furnished with all the light and power necessary for working It is proposed to lay down a 100-h.p. plant, 60 h.p. of which would be delivered at the power station at the mine. The power would be obtained from turbines placed near the junction of the Golden Valley stream with the Kaap river. Water enough for the plates of a 25 stamp-mill would be available.

St. Helens.-At the monthly meeting of the St. Helens Town Hall Committee, on Wednesday, the question of lighting the Town Hall by electricity was discussed at great length. Councillor Martin had suggested that the surveyor should get out specifications and ask for tenders for the lighting of the Town Hall on an alternative plan. In the first place, tenders might be obtained for the lighting of the whole of the buildings, with the exception of the police station; and in the second place for the lighting of assembly-room, Council-chamber, and the committee-rooms only. This suggestion was unanimously adopted.

Automatic Speed Counter.-A neat little instrument has been devised by M. Redier to overcome the difficulties and troubles usually experienced in taking the speed of axles. No seconds watch is required, and no attention is needed. The counter contains two hands, a simple set of watch gear, and a counter. The hands are brought to zero, and the gear wound up, and the first hand set for the time required-one minute, 30 or 15 seconds. The triangular sharp steel end of the counterwheel is placed to the axle to be tested. This starts the mechanism, counts the turns, and the hand is automatically stopped at the end of the time, showing exactly the number of revolu

tions.

laughter, but, when the replies were read, it proved that the electric lighting of the streets would cost considerably less than gas. The matter was referred to the Lighting Committee, who it is hoped will do all in their power to bring the matter to a successful issue. The suggestion is, however, resented by many of the councillors, who are said to be shareholders in the Bodmin Gas Company. The usual contract for gas lighting was approved.

Sheffield. At the meeting of the Sheffield County Council, last week, a resolution was carried by 24 votes to 19, to the effect that before the Parliamentary Powers Committee enter upon any detailed examination of the terms of any company, or make any agreement with any company with respect to the supply of electricity to Sheffield, they shall have the definite instructions of the Council as to whether they will or will not themselves apply for a provisional order authorising them to supply electricity in the borough under the Electric Lighting Acts. The opinion of the majority was that it would be better if satisfactory arrangements could be made to allow a company to make application for the order, whereas the minority wished the Council to at once take the necessary steps for applying for the order and afterwards to supply the light

to the town.

Teignmouth.-The people of Teignmouth are in the position of requiring an extension of lighting facilities. It has been proposed to lay additional gas mains, and at the meeting of the Local Board on Tuesday the question was discussed. It was proposed to reduce the rate for gas from 4s. 2d. to 3s. 9d. per 1,000 cubic feet. Mr. Stooke thought that the electric light should be introduced before this arrangement was carried out; the gas works would then be sufficient. The chairman said he had had correspondence with an electric light company, and the over and see what manager had promised to come machinery would be required if a station were started. was finally decided that the price should be reduced and that £6,000 be spent in extensions. The electric light was further discussed, and it was decided to ask the electric

Middlesbrough. At last week's meeting of the Middlesbrough County Council, Mr. J. A. Jones moved, "That the time has arrived for the Corporation to take steps to introduce the electric light into Middlesbrough for the benefit of the people." He said if the electric light was introduced, the gas works would be wanted just the same as ever. Something like £20,000 in expenditure on electric machinery would give them something like 2,000 incandescent lights. He mentioned London and other towns where the electric light was working successfully. Councillor Hinton seconded the resolution. After debate, Alderman Archibald moved that the matter be referred to the General Purposes Committee. Alderman Archibald's amendment was seconded by Councillor McLarchlan, and agreed to.

Bodmin Town Council. At a meeting of the Bodmin Town Council, held on Tuesday last week, the Mayor (Mr. J. R. Collins) presiding, the Lighting Committee's report was considered. At the previous meeting of the Council the ques tion of illuminating the streets with the electric light came on, and the town clerk was directed to write for prices. The subject when again raised was received with derisive

a station.

men.

Chicago. The construction of the buildings for the Chicago Exhibition is being rapidly pushed forward. The ground enclosed in a fence six miles long is a huge workground, with waggons on all sides, and teeming with workThe large buildings are beginning to rise. The foundations of the electricity and mines and mining buildings are already completed. Upon the sites of the horticultural and transportation buildings all preliminary work is completed, and hundreds of tons of material are ready to be placed in position. Hundreds of men are engaged on every possible sort of construction worklaying water mains, electric light plant, modelling for the exterior decorative work and developing landscape effects around the ornamental waters. The exposition ground will soon be as busy by night as by day, as arrangements have just been made for the electric lighting necessary for night construction.

Richard's Arc Light Carbon.-It will be remembered that the arc light carbon of Mr. Saunderson, which we described some time ago, had an asbestos wick conducting an hydrocarbon liquid or vapour into the arc. In this case the wick was on the inside of the carbon. This carbon presented some considerable advantages in higher luminosity, but the practical advantages, at any rate, have not yet succeeded in getting it put upon the market. The disadvantages of the Saunderson carbon may be to some extent obviated in the simple arrangement proposed by Mr. Walter S. Richards, of Natick, Massachusetts, who merely runs a

wick of mineral wool outside the carbon, bound thereto by fastenings of wire. A thimble of liquid hydrocarbon is placed at the bottom of the carbon, which mounts by capillary attraction, and as the wick is exposed to the air the whole way, it is only attacked by the heat at the immediate point where the arc is formed.

Electric Trolley Rods.-Considerable difficulty has been experienced in designing for overhead electric tram lines a trolley rod, which shall bend up and down, to the right or left without leaving contact, and at the same time to be cheap and simple. Scores of designs of various principles have been made, especially on American lines, where the demand is greater than in England, embodying all kinds of springs and counterbalance movements. But nothing simpler or cheaper, as far as we are aware, has been proposed than that used on the Schuckert overhead conductor tram line at the Frankfort Exhibition, which consists simply of an ordinary coiled conical spring (such as is made by slitting a metal tube spirally), one end fixed to the roof of the car and the other bearing a socket for the trolley rod. This arrangement has no need of adjustments, is perfectly flexible, and gives no trouble whatever. It should supersede the complicated aggregation of springs sometimes advocated. Canadian Cables.-The telegraphic system of one section of the empire has of late been undergoing marked development. Mr. Hosmer, the manager of the Canadian Pacific telegraph system, was in Europe recently, and it is now announced, says the Financial News, that while here the controlling interest in the Halifax and Bermuda cable was secured by a Canadian syndicate in which friends of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company figure largely. The result will be, Mr. Hosmer says, the laying of some 1,200 miles of additional cable in the near future, while a very material reduction will be brought about in the almost prohibitory rates between the West Indies and Canada, the United States and Europe. "Thus," says Mr. Hosmer, "the system will supplement the Candian Government policy to cultivate trade with the West Indies; for cheap telegraphic rates cannot do otherwise than promote closer and more extensive business relations with the Canadian Dominion.

Dundee Infirmary.-On Monday a quarterly court of the governors of the Dundee Royal Infirmary was held in the Town House Buildings. The chairman (Mr. Thos. Maitland) said at the last meeting the governors sanctioned the introduction of electric light to the infirmary, at an estimated cost of about £300. On approaching the matter more closely, the directors found that the estimate included only the provision of sufficient power to provide for the lights which were now necessary. They thought it wise to have some reserve power. It would cost comparatively little-about £65-as they had sufficient engine and boiler power. He moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. J. C. Keiller, and unanimously carried "With reference to the electric lighting of certain parts of the house at an estimated cost of £285, authorised at last annual court, the governors approve of and authorise the acceptance of a larger size of engine and dynamo than originally estimated for, so as to allow of additional lights, at a further estimated cost of £65."

The Lauffen Transmission.-The further particulars with reference to the transmission of power from Lauffen to Frankfort (from the Times, given elsewhere) will be interesting pending full details of tests, which will doubtless be forthcoming shortly. The current supplies at present 1,200 glow lamps, of which part are arranged in letters "Lauffen Kraftübertragung "- (Lauffen transmission of (Lauffen transmission of power); the remainder of the power drives a centrifugal pump for a waterfall 33ft. high. The efficiency is stated as

75 per cent., but this is evidently a rough estimate. Exact details when the full pressure of 25,000 volts, and the full power of 300h. p. are transmitted, will be awaited with interest. It may not be out of place to state that the English agents of the Allgemeine Electric Company, whose plant is used in this memorable installation, are the Keys' Electric Company, of Charing Cross-road, London, in whose premises a small installation on this system will be exhibited within a Mr. Reckenzaun is now in Frankfort to few weeks. conduct tests, and to arrange for the bringing over of sample plant.

Hove (Sussex).-As will be seen by the advertisement elsewhere, the Hove Commissioners are prepared to receive proposals from companies or persons willing to take over the undertaking and statutory powers for the supply of electrical energy in Hove vested in the Commissioners by the Hove Electric Lighting Order, 1890. The provisions to be dealt with in such proposals, which include the erection of the necessary buildings, works, and machinery, and the laying down of the distributing and other mains, the price to be charged for electrical energy supplied as well for public purposes as to private consumers, terms for sale of undertaking to the Commissioners at a given period, and other particulars, may be obtained at the town clerk's office, Town Hall, Hove, on payment of £5. 5s., which will be refunded on a proposal being sent in. The Hove Electric Lighting Order, 1890, may also be seen at the Town Hall. Proposals, addressed to the town clerk, Town Hall, Hove, and endorsed "Proposals for Electric Lighting," will be received up to the 26th day of October next.

Inverness. At a meeting of the Inverness Police Commissioners, on Monday, Bailie Jonathan Ross directed attention to the report of the gas manager, in which he stated that owing to the yearly increasing consumption of gas in the town additional machinery and holders would be required at the gas works, and he estimated the cost at about £10,000. Before embarking on such a heavy expenditure, Bailie Ross thought the Commissioners should consult an engineer on the subject of lighting the town by electricity. It had been suggested that the necessary motive power might be obtained from the river or from Loch Ness, or even from the Fall of Foyers. He thought, however, a committee should be appointed to make full enquiry into the whole subject of electric lighting, with power to consult a practical engineer, and to bring up a report as to the probable cost. Ex-Bailie M'Bean, who seconded, expressed the opinion that the town could at least light all the principal streets and public buildings by electricity at a less cost than that estimated for the construction of additional works at the gas works. The motion was unanimously adopted.

Electric Heaters.-Heating by means of electricity has not yet elevated itself into the sphere of "practical politics" in England, though in the States electric heaters are used in the electric railway cars. The kind there used is that devised by Dr. Burton, depending on the wellknown generation of heat by direct resistance to current. This method has, however, one scientific objection, in that a large current is required to warm the resistance. wires in the heater, and a large current also heats the conducting wires. Mr. Guttmann in his electric heater contrives to obtain great heating effect, with small current, by using alternating currents of high tension, passed into a magnet, whose pole is placed just beneath the plate of the cooking stove. alternation of polarity in the iron soon, together with the generation of secondary eddy currents of great quantity, generates heat, and the plate may be kept sufficiently hot

The rapid