ystem depends upon the knowledge of the value of the of this rheostat. Great care was therefore taken in acture and adjustment. It consists of five strips of each intended to carry 10 amperes without material The end of each strip is soldered to a massive gunck let into a wooden frame. These blocks have holes them about in. diameter for use as mercury cups. Ay strips of gunmetal are let into the frame, one at and there are also holes in these strips opposite the le blocks. The connections are made by thick copper isces. By this arrangement the strips can be placed of eries or in parallel, and one or more of the strips lede ced in the circuit. stance of each strip is arranged so that the fall of sistance of the five strips in series was then taken at temperatures, and as there are special arrangements at ipton for keeping the temperature of the testing-room , the temperature of the platinoid strips could be accuetermined at the time when each resistance test was The results of these tests are given in Fig. 5. The was made against the Ordnance Survey standard ohm hames Ditton the resistance of the strips has been deterfrom time to time by a direct comparison with the Thames the standard ohm in the manner shown in Fig. 2. It will be 8 rehat the resistance and the ohm form two arms of a tstone bridge arrangement, and boxes of coils the other ms, as shown by the two small figures (1) and (2). The cable resistance, R, is first placed in one arm, and then in cher, so that the resistance, A, of the strips is found by quation, :e S = the resistance of the standard ohm at the given temperature; R, and R2 the values of the adjustable coils in the first and second measurements respectively. 'he only alterations required in the connections in going m the first of the two tests to the second is the changing of two leads, M and N, in the mercury cups. It will be observed that by this arrangement no allowance 3 to be made for leads, and the absolute resistance of the box coils is immaterial. True proportionality only is required; us the temperature of the box of coils does not affect the sult. Fig. 5 shows that the resistance of the five platinoid strips se from 7262 ohm to 7280 ohm for a rise in the temperature om 10deg. to 22deg. C., which gives a temperature coefficient f 0207 per cent. per degree centigrade. At 14-8deg. C., the alue, according to the tests at Southampton, is 72693. The est at Thames Ditton gave 72659, leaving a discrepancy of 047 per cent. Surface Leakage.-One way of quickly making a test of the state of the instruments is to send a current from the testing cells through the rheostat B, with the connections as in Fig. 3, which, when the instruments are not in use for other purposes, can be done by merely turning on a switch, and read the value of this current on the ampere galvanometer with various constants, altering the resistances in series, according to Table I. When this experiment was tried after the instruments had been out of use during the Easter holidays, the galvanometer gave a higher value for the current with constant 5 than with constant 1, and with constant 1 still a higher value than with 5. This discrepancy, which amounted to no less than 3 per cent., was found to be due to surface leakage, which was greater with the higher constant obtained by higher resistance in series. It disappeared completely by a slight rubbing of the top of the resistance-boxes with a piece of leather. The considerable error mentioned was obtained with a current of about 40 amperes, producing a P.D. across the instruments of only about 043 volt. TRADE NOTES-ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL. The great increase in laying of mains necessitates new tools. Designs and improvements in tools are of constant occurrence, and many manufacturers have had special tools FIG. 2. shows a lead-cutting tool to take the place of the pocket knife, saving time, trouble, and danger to insulation. Fig. 2 is a tool for making a circular cut in the lead, and Fig. 3 is a tool for stripping insulation from wires up to No. 10 S. G. Royal Meteorological Society. The first meeting of the present session was held on Wednesday evening, at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Mr. Baldwin Latham, M.I.C.E., president, in the chair. Amongst other papers was an "Account of an Electric Self-recording Rain Gauge," by Mr. W. J. E. Binnie, B.A. This was the description of a very ingenious instrument, constructed on the assumption that all drops falling from a orifice or tube are identical in weight, as long as the dimensions of the orifice are not varied, the indications being recorded electrically. con three downwards by means of a set square and dividing up the difference of current sections into units. The ratios difference of deflection tained in column four of Table III. shows that the deflections are fairly proportional to the currents. Some allowance is to be made for inaccuracies in the millimetre scale apart from errors of observation. The calibration of the ampere galvanometer, G1, and the manufacture of the ampere scale were done in the same manner as here described. These calibrations have been repeated several times at intervals, besides which frequent calibrations of mean readings have been taken-formule (2) and (4) in the preceding. M has been observed with different currents, and has been found to be proportional to the square of the strength of the current. The arrangement used for determining the resistance of B is shown on Diagram 3. It will be seen that B is placed in series with ancther rheostat, A, and with the mercury rheostat previously mentioned, and that the circuit further contains a few secondary cells. The current in this circuit is adjusted by the mercury slide resistance until the fall of potential across resisttance A is equal to the E.M.F. of the standard cell, which is ascertained by means of galvanometer G, in the manner described previously when the calibration of the galvanometers was dealt with. The deflection is then read on the scale of galvanometer G1, which is joined (with a resistance-box in series) across the terminals of B. The resistance of rheostat A, as well as the value of the deflection on G1, and of the resistance RI Ga B FIG. 2.-Standardising A. It has been found that the constants of the two galvanometers have not altered beyond 1-5th per cent. during six months, except on two occasions when the levelling of the instruments had been interfered with. For purposes like these measurements a D'Arsonval galvanometer should have a glass front to the case, so that the coil is clearly visible, and there should be means of verifying and adjusting the position of the coil in the field. The coil should be wound on a metallic (aluminium) frame, to prevent changes in its shape; and there should be a torsion head outside the cover, so that the original zero of the coil in the field can be restored without opening or interfering with the instrument. As a slight set crept into the suspending wires of the two galvanometers used in the apparatus, and as they had no arrangement for restoring the zero, it became necessary to turn the instruments on their bases, as the position of the scales could not be altered. The effect of the shifting was hardly noticeable on one of the instruments, but it caused an alteration in the constant of the other to the extent of 12 per cent., and a discrepancy of 3 per cent. in the proportionality of the scale, which necessitated regraduating it. An alteration in the constant alone can, of course, at once be balanced by a correction in the resistance used in series with the instrument. New instruments fulfilling the above conditions are being made. Main Ampere-Rheostat.-This rheostat, which is marked B on the diagrams, is made of 40 platinoid strips, 6ft. long each, all joined in parallel between two copper terminal bars. The thickness of the strips is '03in.; the total width=38in. The cross-section is 114 square inches; the resistance is 0010882 legal ohm at 17deg. C. The total surface of the strips, including the two terminal bars, is 5,854 square inches. carrying 1,000 amperes, 1,088.2 watts are consumed by the rheostat-i.e., power is given off to the atmosphere at the rate of 186 watt per square inch of surface, which has been found to cause a rise of temperature near the centre of the strips of very nearly 20deg. C. The rise of temperature in this rheostat When present system depends upon the knowledge of the value of the resistance of this rheostat. Great care was therefore taken in its manufacture and adjustment. It consists of five strips of platinoid, each intended to carry 10 amperes without material warming. The end of each strip is soldered to a massive gunmetal block let into a wooden frame. These blocks have holes drilled in them about in. diameter for use as mercury cups. Two heavy strips of gunmetal are let into the frame, one at each end, and there are also holes in these strips opposite the holes in the blocks. The connections are made by thick copper bridge-pieces. By this arrangement the strips can be placed either in series or in parallel, and one or more of the strips can be placed in the circuit. The resistance of each strip is arranged so that the fall of potential across it when a current of about 10 amperes is flowing through it is equal to the E. M.F. of the standard cell. The absolute resistance of the strips could have varied within certain limits, but it was necessary to adjust the resistance of each to equality with a considerable degree of accuracy. As there was no means of doing this at Thames Ditton, the resistance was taken to the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, about two years ago, and the adjustment made by scraping the strips until their resistances were equal. The resistance of the five strips in series was then taken at different temperatures, and as there are special arrangements at Southampton for keeping the temperature of the testing-room constant, the temperature of the platinoid strips could be accurately determined at the time when each resistance test was taken. The results of these tests are given in Fig. 5. The balance was made against the Ordnance Survey standard ohm (legal). At Thames Ditton the resistance of the strips has been determined from time to time by a direct comparison with the Thames Ditton standard ohm in the manner shown in Fig. 2. It will be seen that the resistance and the ohm form two arms of a Wheatstone bridge arrangement, and boxes of coils the other two arms, as shown by the two small figures (1) and (2). The adjustable resistance, R, is first placed in one arm, and then in the other, so that the resistance, A, of the strips is found by the equation, where S the resistance of the standard ohm at the given temperature; R1 and R the values of the adjustable coils in the first and second measurements respectively. The only alterations required in the connections in going from the first of the two tests to the second is the changing of the two leads, M and N, in the mercury cups. It will be observed that by this arrangement no allowance has to be made for leads, and the absolute resistance of the box of coils is immaterial. True proportionality only is required; thus the temperature of the box of coils does not affect the result. Fig. 5 shows that the resistance of the five platinoid strips rose from 7262 ohm to 7280 ohm for a rise in the temperature from 10deg. to 22deg. C., which gives a temperature coefficient of 0207 per cent. per degree centigrade. At 14 8deg. C., the value, according to the tests at Southampton, is 72693. The test at Thames Ditton gave 72659, leaving a discrepancy of 047 per cent. Surface Leakage.-One way of quickly making a test of the state of the instruments is to send a current from the testing cells through the rheostat B, with the connections as in Fig. 3, which, when the instruments are not in use for other purposes, can be done by merely turning on a switch, and read the value of this current on the ampere galvanometer with various constants, altering the resistances in series, according to Table I. When this experiment was tried after the instruments had been out of use during the Easter holidays, the galvanometer gave a higher value for the current with constant 5 than with constant 1, and with constant 1 still a higher value than with 5. This discrepancy, which amounted to no less than 3 per cent., was found to be due to surface leakage, which was greater with the higher constant obtained by higher resistance in series. It disappeared completely by a slight rubbing of the top of the resistance-boxes with a piece of leather. The considerable error mentioned was obtained with a current of about 40 amperes, producing a P.D. across the instruments of only about 043 volt. TRADE NOTES-ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL. The great increase in laying of mains necessitates new tools. Designs and improvements in tools are of constant occurrence, and many manufacturers have had special tools FIG. 2. shows a lead-cutting tool to take the place of the pocket knife, saving time, trouble, and danger to insulation. Fig. 2 is a tool for making a circular cut in the lead, and Fig. 3 is a tool for stripping insulation from wires up to No. 10 S. G. Royal Meteorological Society.-The first meeting of the present session was held on Wednesday evening, at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Mr. Baldwin Latham, M.I.C.E., president, in the chair. Amongst other papers was an "Account of an Electric Self-recording Rain Gauge," by Mr. W. J. E. Binnie, B.A. This was the description of a very ingenious instrument, constructed on the assumption that all drops falling from a orifice or tube are identical in weight, as long as the dimensions of the orifice are not varied, the indications being recorded electrically. WOODHOUSE AND RAWSON. A glance through the report of the meeting of this company will show that some of the shareholders are a little uneasy as to the balance-sheet. It is a fine thing to get a dividend at the rate of 15 per cent. for the ordinary shareholder, and at first sight is a thing which merits applause. We shall not say at present that it merits aught else, but before committing ourselves either way, we should like to see a list giving details of the sundry investments of £119,338; also the reasons for appraising the value of "goodwill" at £98,000. It is now a little over twelve months since we ventured to call attention to the balance-sheet of 1890. The departure we were the first to introduce in giving the figures of the balance-sheet enables our readers to make comparison of the new with the old. The balance-sheet of 1890 will be found in our issue of Oct. 10, 1890, that of 1891 in the issue of Nov. 13 last. It will be found that the share capital authorised in 1891 is £200,000 more than in 1890. The practical capital in 1890 was £321,322; in 1891 it had risen to £522,999, an increase in the year of £201,677. The profit made as per balance-sheet 1890 was £61,085, but the profit made during the past year with over £200,000 more capital was only £51,439, nearly £10,000 less. The attention of directors and shareholders was last year called in our issue of Oct. 17 to the hazardous nature of the business of floating subsidiary companies to obtain a dividend; in fact, to the danger of finance as against strictly commercial pursuits. Further consideration of the balance-sheet shows that the value of freeholds has increased from £53,200 to £65,131 within the year, though it is not shown that any new freeholds have been acquired. The questions are therefore legitimate, Has the value been written up by some of this £12,000, and why, or is this the cost of extensions? Similarly leaseholds have increased £553, while plant and machinery, etc., jumps from £17,000 to over £31,000. Again the question may be asked, How has this Stock, etc., has extra £14,000 been arrived at? increased from £73,000 to £126,000. The estimated value of patents has risen £10,000, and goodwill £8,000, while cash in hand is only £6,000, as against £51,500, but this latter is partly accounted for to the extent of about £33,000 by increase of book debts. Broadly speaking, then, the capital account for the year increased by £200,000, requiring £10,000 to pay 5 per cent. This capital has been spent thus: From this it will be seen that "investments" must play a most important part in the future of this company. A legitimate trading concern has no "investment" except "reserve." Hence we must, whether we will or no, look upon "Woodhouse and Rawson" as a huge syndicate for company promotion, and probably a large part, if not the whole, of their "investments," consists of shares in companies promoted. There is one other item in the balancesheet to which attention must be directed. Salaries in 1891 claim £15,208. 8s. 8d., while in 1890 the similar item read, "Salaries, including managing director's and manager's commission, £23,269. 14s. 1d." There has been a decrease of over £8,000 in the year. Is this represented by "directors' and manager's commission"? Since the meeting, a full report of which appears elsewhere, the public has been asked to subscribe further capital to the tune of £175,000, though it is stated that a part of this only will be called up—namely, £145,000. Of course, great care has been taken that none of the papers which might be expected to know something of electrical work can criticise this new call for capital. It matters little to others whose view is limited to dividends paid. They do not and they cannot well analyse the prospects of such a company. 66 The most conspicuous promotions of Woodhouse and Rawson are "The Elmore Companies" and "The Okonite Company." Large sums have thus been netted by the promoters for these companies floated," though as yet they are not conspicuous by success; but unless the "investments" can be advantageously unloaded there seems to be every probability of great depreciation, and then this item in the balance-sheet becomes a more and more doubtful asset. It may be that we are wrong about "investments." For cake of shareholders we trust it is so. Caution, however, is necessary, and never more so than when with £200,000 extra capital profits decrease, and with a "steady and progressive increase of electrical work" a diminished expenditure on salaries does not prove where the advantages to this company come in. It is easy, very easy, to have glowing balancesheets, when with almost every recurring balancesheet the generous public come forward eagerly with contributions to capital. the the Let us turn for a moment from the consideration of balance-sheets and promotion of companies to a phase in this company's work which has always had our heartiest sympathies. The intense energy displayed, the far-sighted policy of planting everywhere in electrical circles the imprint of "Woodhouse and Rawson," must have resulted in forming the nucleus of an enormous business, which, if carefully nursed and discreetly conducted, will lay the foundation of a great success. It is absolutely impossible, however, that the same attention can be given to commercial details when time is occupied over promotion, as if the whole time was concentrated upon these details. We are not among those who look askance at the increase of manufacturing departments, and ofttimes such increase leads to a considerable accession of business, from the fact that the goods work in with each other. Success, however, depends upon organisation and supervision. LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL v. ST. PANCRAS. It is rather hard upon the St. Pancras authorities to be placed in the position they have been placed through the action of the London County Council. The late Metropolitan Board of Works and the London County Council hold a position somewhat analagous to that of a bank-in that they lent or lend money to other local authorities at a moderate rate of interest. The St. Pancras authorities decided-and we think justly-to carry out a central station installation under a provisional order, and applied to the County Council for a loan of some £60,000. The Finance Committee of the Council sent up a report recommending under certain conditions the granting of a loan. These conditions were not the conditions of St. Pancras-but on that we have nothing at present to say. As soon as the report was before the Council it was asked to be referred back. This is the point to which we direct attention. The Finance Committee did or did not know its mind, and understood its business, and made its report after due discussion and examination, so that the consideration of the points referred back ought to have been settled before the report was presented. No doubt an effort will be made to get over the troubles which may arise because of the delay, but the whole thing is unbusinesslike. may have met and decided in time to allow of an application to Parliament, and a compliance with the Standing Orders, if the decision is unfavourable. On the other hand, the decision may be favourable; but the decision of the whole Council unfavourable. The committee To be on the safe side, St. Pancras must apply to Parliament; though the authorities may be perfectly certain the application is unnecessary, and next Tuesday-or a week too late-the County Council may agree to what is required. THE INSTITUTION DINNER. The third annual dinner of the Institution was held on Friday, November 13, at the Criterion, Regent-street, Piccadilly, under the chairmanship of the President, Prof. W. Crookes, F.R.S. The following members and guests were present, besides the representatives of the Press. The following technical papers were represented: The Electrician, by Mr. W. Moore; the Electrical Review, by Mr. H. Scholey; the Electrical Engineer, by Mr. W. M. Bowles; the Engineer, by Mr. W. W. Beaumont; Engineering, by Mr. Raworth, and Industries by Mr. Swinburne; Sir F. Abel, Mr. Abercrombie, Prof. W. G. Adams, Major G. W. Addison, R.E., Mr. Alabaster, Mr. Albright, Mr. Anderson, Baker, Mr. Graff Baker, Mr. Beaumont, Mr. Berkley, Mr. Ardron, Prof. Ayrton, Mr. Bailey, Sir Benjamin Mr. Berly, Mr. C. H. W. Biggs, Mr. G. Binswanger, Mr. M. Binswanger, Mr. Blackwell, Sir T. Blomefield, Dr. Borns, Mr. Bristow, Mr. Buckney, Sir A. Cappel, Major Cardew, R.E., Mr. Carey, Mr. Chambre, Mr. Chaney, Mr. Clark, Mr. Claremont, Mr. Clirehugh, Mr. H. Cooke, Staff-Commander Creak, Mr. Crompton, Mr. J. Crookes, |