ELECTRIC LIGHTING OF HOUSES.

At the second ordinary meeting of the Dundee Institute of Architecture, Science, and Art, Mr. F. Grant Ogilvie, principal of Heriot-Watt College, Edinburgh, delivered a lecture on "Electric Lighting of Houses." Mr. Charles Ower (president) occupied the chair. The chairman said the lecture was one of two which had been specially arranged for in connection with the fact that Dundee was setting about introducing the electric light.

Mr. OGILVIE began by referring to the nature of electric light, and detailed some of the principal facts in relation to electricity which would have to be dealt with in its distribution in houses. He explained how the wire, heated by the electric current, gave off light, but at the same time, when made of certain metals, would melt. The lecturer then demonstrated the manner in which an electric lamp gave out light. The filament in the lamp, being made of carbon, glowed when the current was passing through, and during the process particles of carbon were thrown off, and in time the filament became thinner and thinner until it broke. The average life of a lamp was about 1,000 hours burning. The lecturer then explained the uses of the electric battery, and the signification of the electrical terms ampere and volt, which signified the strength of the current and the difference of electric pressure. By means of diagrams shown on the blackboard with coloured chalks, Mr. Ogilvie represented how electricity could be distributed in houses. The two wires were brought into the house, the one being at an electrical pressure of 100 volts above the other. These two wires were connected by another passing through the lamp, which glowed when the electric current was passed. The fittings for the distribution of the electricity were, he said, of importance. The conductor of the electric current was of copper or an alloy of copper, and to prevent electricity escaping from one wire to another, or into the material of the wall, the copper wire was entirely surrounded by some substance which offered great resistance to the flow of electricity. The way in which wires could be carried over a house was then detailed, and the use of the switch for turning on and off the current minutely explained, a switch being handed round among the audience to clearly show how it acted. It was usual also to have a wire not copper which formed part of the circuit, and which was of a substance easily fused. The object of this was to prevent any accident occurring in the event of some unforeseen contact between the two wires. This fusible piece of wire prevented the possibility of such an accident, as should such a mishap come to pass the wire fused and the injured part of the circuit was I cut out." A number of electric lamps suitable for fixing in different positions were exhibited to the audience. These and an exhibit of lead casings and various fittings were lent by the Brush Company. Mr. Ogilvie remarked that it was the exception now to find an ugly electrical fitting. The practical methods of measuring the electric power supplied to a house were explained generally and illustrated by the Shallenberger meter, an example of which was exhibited to those present. The lecturer at the close referred to the cost of electric light, especially as compared with the cost of gas, and by means of calculations demonstrated how the different prices might be arrived at and compared. He showed that under ordinary domestic conditions 1,000 c.p. of gas gave about the same amount of light as 12 Board of Trade units of electricity, so that the pence price of a B.T. unit taken as shillings might be compared directly with the quoted price of gas. To the price of this quantity of electric energy there would have to be added about one-fifth of the price of a lamp, say 9d. This addition, however, might soon be expected to be reduced by one-half. Though gas was at present cheaper than electricity,

the waste of the latter was very much less, as more gas was used than was actually required. A switch provided in a convenient place at the door of each room would enable one to turn the electric light on or off as desired. The great qualification of electric light, however, as compared with gas, was that it did not in any way alter the chemical condition of the air. Electricity heated the air, but did not burn it or vitiate it in any way, and the vitiation of the air by gas was one of the main items to be put in the balance against the additional price of electric lighting.

A number of questions were then asked by various members, and answered by the lecturer.

On the motion of Mr. F. W. YOUNG, seconded by ex-Bailie M'CULLOCH, a hearty vote of thanks was awarded to Mr. Ogilvie, and a similar compliment having been paid to the chairman the proceedings terminated.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

The question of introducing a commercially successful electric vehicle for use on common roads has long engaged the attention of electrical engineers in different countries. Two Italians claim to have succeeded where others have failed-the one by the employment of accumulators, and the other by the use of primary batteries. The first is a three-wheeled vehicle, made in the Castelnuovo Works of Garfagnana, on the Boggio system. Its total weight, excluding passengers, is said to be only 2 cwt. It is 6ft. long, 3ft. 4in. wide, and 4ft. in height, and can carry two passengers. There are 10 accumulator cells which, it is claimed, have as high a capacity as 25 ampere-hours per kilogramme of plate. These cells are, according to the Italian journal L'Industria, encased in an ebonite box. When in operation, and with a discharge of 12 amperes, the charge will last 10 hours. The motor absorbs 942 watts, and is stated to run at 3,000 revolutions per minute!

The second type of carriage has been devised by Mr. Malignani, the director of the well-known Udine electric light station According to Mr. Ferrucci, Mr. Malignani has invented a "special" kind of primary battery having a maximum of simplicity, and practically solving the problem of electric locomotion on common roads. No particulars are, however, given concerning the construction of the battery, but its efficiency is said to be very high. The Malignani electric carriage is built to accommodate three persons, and is constructed so that the dead-weight has been reduced to a minimum.

SPECIFICATION

FOR ESTABLISHING AN ELECTRIC LIGHTING INSTALLATION ON THE LOW-TENSION SYSTEM WITH UNDERGROUND CABLES FOR THE CORPORATION OF NELSON.

Situation. The central station to be at the gas works, where an engine-room and all foundations, steam and exhaust pipes, will be provided by the Corporation, also a supply of steam at 80lb. pressure.

Steam Engine and Dynamo.—The contractor to supply and erect at the gas works a steam engine and dyna.no capable of supplying 600 lights of 16 c. p. each, requiring a pressure of 110 volts. The dynamo to be self-regulating, and the armature shaft to be coupled direct to the crankshaft of the engine, the engine and dynamo to be fixed on to one strong cast-iron bed-plate, the speed of the engine not to exceed 400 revolutions per minute, and the dynamo giving an output of 360 amperes.

Switchboard.-To supply a main switchboard in the dynamohouse, with main switch, variable shunt resistance for dynamo, ammeter, and five voltmeters placed upon it (four voltmeters for pressure wires and one for dynamo terminals).

Cables-Main Feeder No. 1.-800 yards of stranded copper cable composed of 61 wires, each 12s standard B. W.G.; the wires to be covered with pure vulcanised indiarubber, the insulation resistance to be 600 megohms per statute mile, tested under water, and the drop of E.M.F. per 100 yards, carrying 50 amperes, not to exceed

0.48 volt.

Cables-Main Feeder No. 2.-950 yards of stranded copper cable composed of 37 wires, each 12s standard B. W.G.; the wires to be covered with pure vulcanised indiarubber, the insulation resistance to be 600 megohms per statute mile, tested under water, and the drop of E.M.F. per 100 yards, carrying 50 amperes, not to exceed 0.78 volt.

Distributing Mains.-1,350 yards of stranded copper cable composed of 19 wires, each 12s standard B. W.G.; the wires to be covered with pure vulcanised indiarubber, the insulation resistance to be 600 megohms per statute mile, tested under water, and the drop of E.M.F. per 100 yards, carrying 50 amperes, not to exceed 2.00 volts.

Service Mains.-500 yards of stranded copper cable composed of 19 wires each, 16s standard B. W.G.; the wires to be insulated with pure vulcanised indiarubber, the insulation resistance to be 600 megohms per statute mile tested under water.

Pressure Wires.-5,000 yards of copper wire No. 14s standard B.W.G., covered with pure vulcanised indiarubber; the insulation resistance to be 600 megohms per statute mile, tested under

water.

Quality of Copper.—All the stranded copper cables and pressure wire to be composed of and guaranteed from the maker 98 per cent. pure copper. A sample 6in. long of all sizes of cables and pressure wires tendered for must accompany tender or disqualified.

Tapping-Bars.-40 tapping-bars made as per plans and specification, the length of each bar to be 12țin. by lin. broad by in. thick, with an angle-piece at one end same thickness and breadth as the bars; 40 small flat plates 34in. long by 12in. broad by in. thick, bolted to one end of copper bars with in. brass bolts and nuts, the shoulder of bolts to be turned true and to fit the holes tight and accurately, holes to be prepared in the latter-named plates to receive ends of cables, which must be sweated on with solder as shown on plan; 40 small angle plates 34in. by 3in. by

in. broad and in. thickness of metal, bolted to tapping-bars with

two in brass bolts and nuts, the shoulders of bolts to be turned true and to fit the holes tight and accurately, holes to be prepared to receive ends of cables, which must be sweated on with solder. Junction Plates.-12 T junction-plates and two large circular junction-plates of an inch thickness of metal fitted up in the same manner as tapping-bars, with angle-plates in. by 3in. by lain. broad and of an inch thickness of metal, but without terminals, ends of cables to be sweated on with solder.

Tapping-Bars, etc.-All the above bars and plates to be guaranteed 98 per cent. pure copper, thoroughly planed and made smooth throughout; every face must be almost airtight when put together and bolted up. Particular attention must be paid to this part of the installation by the contractor, as the work will have to be done as per plans and specifications, and to the entire satisfaction of the engineer appointed by the Corporation. Two brass terminals must be screwed and fitted accurately to each tapping-bar, the shoulder of each terminal to have a true and level face when fixed in a true position on the bar. The above to be in accordance with the plans and specifications and the sample shown.

Cut-outs.-20 cut-outs, to be composed of a polished slate slab free from all cracks and defects of any kind; the size of slab to be 15in long, 6in. broad, and in. thick, the slab to contain eight terminals accurately fixed on the slab, which must have a smooth surface The screw holes made in the slab to be filled in with hard wood pegs, so as to receive the in. screws that fasten down the terminals to the slab. The terminals to be fitted up with a small loose bar that fastens down the fuse-plates, all to be in accordance with the plans and specifications and samples shown.

Service Pipes.-500 yards of wrought-iron service pipes, lined inside with glass tube, and to have a very smooth surface inside the tube. To be supplied in various lengths as the Corporation may require, delivered at Nelson Station.

Cast-Iron Troughs.-1,540 yards of cast-iron troughing in 6ft. lengths, with flanged joints. The castings must be of in. thick all through, the bolt holes to be in. square, and those in the top or longitudinal plates or covers must be 6in. from centre to centre; two small fillets must be cast vertical on each side of troughs in. by in. at a distance of every 2ft. to receive earthenware insulators. The top plates or covers must be in. thickness of metal throughout, and the bolt holes to correspond with the bolt holes in the top flanges of troughs when bolted together, as shown on plan. The castings must be of a uniform thickness and free from all cracks, blowholes, sandholes, or any other defects of any kind. All the castings must be straight and smooth. A groove must be cast in the top flange of every trough to receive a ĝin. round indiarubber band for jointing. All the end flanges must be perfectly square and smooth so as to make a good joint when bolted together with Scotch cement. All the castings to be delivered at the Nelson railway station in a good and sound condition.

Insulators.-3,000 sets of earthenware insulators properly glazed throughout and fixed into slots cast on the inside of cast-iron troughs at a distance of every 2ft., the insulators to act as rests for the cables, which must be laid level and straight throughout the entire length. The insulators must be made to the samples supplied by the Corporation.

Cast Iron Boxes.-20 cast-iron boxes fitted up with cast-iron lid or cover, and fastened down with a wrought-iron cross-bar, with a ĝin. brass bolt, the lid to have a bead cast on inside to receive a indiarubber band; the box must be perfectly watertight. The box must be made according to plans, specifications, and pattern supplied; the thickness of the metal must not be more than in., and free from all blowholes, sandholes, or defects of any kind. All castings must be delivered in a good and sound condition at the Nelson railway station.

Manhole Covers.-20 manhole covers to be made as per wood pattern supplied by the Corporation, the castings to be free from all blowholes, sandholes, cracks, or defects of any kind. The lid of manhole to fit perfectly level all round, and no warping or twisting to be felt when laid down. The castings to be clean and good, and delivered in a good and sound condition at the Nelson Station.

Erection. The contractor to undertake the sole responsibility of the erection of the installation in every detail, and also undertake the work of fixing the engine and dynamo on foundations prepared by the Corporation, also the laying down of all the main, distributing, and service cables, service pipes, and all other details, according to street plan showing line of wires, connections, and service pipes to consumers, according to plans and specifications supplied by the Corporation engineer. The contractor also to take the entire responsibility of all other minor details not mentioned in the specifications, and to ensure a perfect installa

infringement. He would call evidence to show that the incandescent electric lamps sold by the defendants consisted of a glass receiver, two platinum leading wires sealed through the glass, and attached to a carbon filament, which was a distinct infringement of the plaintiffs' patents. The carbon filament was prepared according to the Cheesbrough process, which also was an infringement of plaintiffs' patent rights.

Formal evidence was called which bore out the opening statement of counsel.

Mr. Bremner waived an enquiry as to damages. Mr. Justice Matthew granted an injunction as prayed, and delivery up of all infringing lamps, with costs.

COMPANIES' MEETINGS.

OXFORD ELECTRIC COMPANY, LIMITED.

On Saturday, the 12th inst., the first ordinary meeting of this Company was held at the offices, 45, Broad-street, Oxford, Mr. J. Irving Courtenay, chairman of the Company, presiding. The notice convening the meeting having been read, The Chairman said: This is a formal meeting of the Company, called in compliance with the statute within four months from the incorporation of the Company, and is commonly known as the statutory meeting. There are no accounts to be presented, but the Directors gladly embrace the opportunity thus afforded of explaining the position of the Company, and inviting enquiry and co-operation from the shareholders and others attending the meeting, The Electric Installation and Maintenance Company obtained a provisional order, which was confirmed by Parliament on the 4th of August, 1890, under which that company has powers to supply electricity to the whole borough of Oxford. The Directors being desirous of establishing the business as a local enterprise, have made arrangements for transferring the parliamentary powers to the Oxford Electric Company, Limited, and the necessary formalities are being carried out for obtaining the consent of the Board of Trade and the Corporation of Oxford to the grant of a provisional order for the purpose. In the meantime, the Oxford Company, having been duly constituted, entered into a contract with the Electric Construction Corporation, of London and Wolverhampton, by which the Oxford Company purchases all the rights under the provisional order, and provides for the construction of a fully-equipped generating station for the supply of electricity, together with all necessary street works, mains, transformers, and storage batteries, for the supply of an important area which it is first proposed to deal with. This area comprises High-street, Cornmarket-street, Broad-street, Magdalen-street (from the corner of Beaumont-street to Cornmarket-street), and Catherine street. The area in question, bounded by the streets named, comprises 12 colleges, 39 public buildings and churches, nine hotels, and 337 shops, offices, and private houses. Provision is made in the contract for a supply of electricity sufficient for about 15,000 lamps actually connected with the Company's mains. The contract provides for the purchase of the lease of the land at Osney, formerly known as Cannon Wharf; the construction of the building, of which drawings may be seen on the walls; the generating and distributing plant; the cost of incorporating this Company and obtaining a transfer of the provisional order; a supply of lamps, wire, fittings, etc, to the value of £500; and a sum of £1,500 for the ordinary expenses of the Company. In the contract, the deposit of £1,500 as security paid to the Board of Trade is also provided for, but will be repaid to the contractors on satisfaction of the provisions of the order. Under this contract an agreement has been made for the erection of the generating station with Mr. Kingerlee, the well-known local builder and contractor, who is pushing on the work vigorously, and expects to have all completed by March. During the construction of the building the mains will be laid throughout the compulsory area, so that a supply of electricity will be furnished with all possible speed. The consideration for all these works and payments, including the provisional order, is a sum of £50,500, payable in fully paid-up shares of the Company. Assuming the capital expenditure to be £50,000, the commercial result of the enterprise may be estimated as follows: Revenue-258,750 units of electricity at 8d., and rent of meters..

Expenditure Running expenses, rent, salaries, insurance, etc........

Net income (or 7 per cent. on £50,000)

£8,775 0 0

5,200 0 0

£3,575 0 0

The extension of the Company's business to the residential district north of the city and the other important parts of the borough outside the area comprised in the above calculations, should materially add to the dividends of the Company, as the capital of £50,000 includes buildings, street works, etc., capable of providing for a larger business. The cost to the consumer at 8d. per Board of Trade unit is equal to about d. per lamp per hour, or, in other words, the current necessary to supply 30 10-c.p. lamps for one hour or their equivalent for a proportionate time. Owing to the facilities for economising the use of electricity, by the provision of a sufficient number of switches judiciously placed in the consumer's premises, it is found by experience that though the relative cost of electricity at 8d. per unit, as compared with gas at 3s. per 1,000 cubic feet, appears to be higher, yet in actual practice the amount paid by the householder in each case would not materially differ, but when the convenience and advantages of the electric light and its indirect economies, such as the saving in

renewals of decorations and cleaning of rooms, are taken into account, it is really in the long run cheaper than gas. For a city like Oxford the electric light is almost a necessity. The experience already obtained at the South Kensington Museum and the British Museum proves the value of electricity as a means of illumination for such institutions, while the absolute safety of the method of supply adopted by this Company makes it specially suitable for lighting the various colleges, museums, and public buildings in the city with their priceless contents. I think a few words of explanation are necessary as to the system of electrical supply. I do not propose, however, to go into details, which have been already published, and Mr. Thomas Parker, the chief engineer of the Electrical Construction Corporation, who has designed and is carrying out the installation, is here to-day, and will be ready to give any detailed explanation that may be required. The system proposed may be described as a moderate high-tension continuous-current of 1,000 volts, with continuous-current transformers to convert to 100 volts, and secondary batteries to supply current to the lamps during the hours of minimum supply, thus allowing the generating station to be shut down entirely. The high-tension continuous current will be conveyed by underground mains, which never come in contact with the houses of the consumers, the current delivered to the consumers being absolutely safe, steady, and its continuity secured by the use of the storage batteries. Reliable meters will be supplied to each customer, and charged for by quarterly rental, as in the existing system of gas supply. The cost of fitting premises for the electric light varies with the character of the buildings and the nature of the fittings, which may be of a simple and inexpensive character, or costly designs, according to the taste of the customers. The Company have already been estimating for a few buildings in this city, which may be taken as typical, and comprise : Clarendon Press.... Magdalen College. Christ Church... Metropolitan Bank

Young Men's Christian Association

994 16-c.p. lamps £1,326 1 8

675

do.

595

do.

45

do.

62 do.

1,433 18 0 1,190 0 0

67 10 0

86 10 0

The wiring and fitting of ordinary premises, such as dwellinghouses, shops, and hotels, with simple fittings, can be very well done at the cost of 30s. per lamp; factories and similar buildings at somewhat less; colleges, museums, and similar institutions according to the condition and character of the buildings. All work of this kind is done under stringent rules framed by the fire insurance companies, and controlled also by the provisions for safety contained in the provisional order. No other method of artificial illumination can be compared with it for freedom from risk of fire, providing you have suitable fittings and a system of supply such as has been sketched out for the supply of the city of Oxford. As I have already stated, the Company has made its arrangements to carry out all the necessary works without any public issue of capital, but the intention is, when the preliminary work is completed, to give the public an opportunity of subscribing to the capital, and thus the inhabitants of Oxford will be able to acquire an interest in this important local enterprise.

Mr. T. Parker explained matters of detail connected with the proposed system of supply, and incidentally mentioned that Sir William Thomson and Prof. Silvanus Thompson had both recently inspected the electrical plant prepared for this installation and that at Sydenham, and highly approved of the working of the continuous-current transformers, Sir William Thomson having expressed the opinion that their success would lead to the alternating-current system being eventually superseded.

A strong feeling in favour of the introduction of the electric light into the colleges, museums, etc., was very generally expressed, and the prospects of the Company appear to be satisfactory. It was stated that the works were making rapid progress, and that the supply of electricity would be commenced early in the spring.

COMPANIES' REPORTS.

ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION. Directors: Sir Henry C. Mance (chairman); Sir Daniel Cooper, Bart, G.C.M.G.; Messrs. John Irving Courtenay, George Dibley, Joseph Ebbsmith, Henry P. Holt, J. Spencer Balfour, M.P. (vicechairman); Joseph Moseley, James Pender, John B. Verity, H. Granville Wright. Manager and chief engineer, Thomas Parker, M.I.C. E. and M.I.E.E.

Report of the Directors to be submitted to the shareholders at the ordinary general meeting, to be held at Cannon-street Hotel on Tuesday, 22nd inst., at 3 p.m.

In submitting the accounts of the Corporation up to 30th September last, the Directors point out that the period embraced by the previous profit and loss account extended over nearly 16 months, whereas the present report only includes the working at Wolverhampton for one year, and at the Millwall works for eight months. The Directors are happy to state that the business of the year has been of a satisfactory and promising character, and it will be seen from the accompanying accounts that it has resulted in a profit balance of £46,166. 16s. 8d., from which the Directors have carried £10,000 to reserve for depreciation, leaving a net balance of profit and loss for the year of £36,166. 16s. 8d., which, with the £3,877. 11s. 1d. carried forward from last year, makes a total of £40,044. 7s. 9d. available for disposal. The development of the electro-chemical patents of the Corporation is advancing to the satisfaction of the Directors, and a substantial addition to

future profits may he expected from this source. As the shareholders are already aware, Mr. Ebbsmith has resigned his appointment as managing director of this Corporation in order to take charge of the British Electro-Chemical Agency, Limited, to which these patents have been transferred, but in order that the Corporation might not be deprived of the benefit of his experience he has been elected to fill the vacancy on the Board caused by the lamented death of Sir Robert Fowler. The Directors have leased the Millwall works on favourable terms to the Electrical Power Storage Company, Limited, with an exclusive license to that company to use the storage battery patents belonging to the Corporation. This arrangement has already proved of great advantage to both parties, and it has the further merit of enabling the manager and chief engineer, Mr. Parker, to concentrate his energies on the important contracts and work which the Wolverhampton works have in hand. In continuance of their previous policy, as approved by the shareholders at the last general meeting, the Directors have written off capital expenditure the sum of £20,000 out of the sale of patents sold or transferred to other companies during the past year. The sale of these patents will not in any way prejudice the working of the Corporation; on the contrary, it is confidently expected that their development will bring a considerable amount of work to the factory at Wolverhampton. The Directors have pleasure in recommending a dividend of 6 per cent., payable on 22nd January next, leaving a balance of £10,721. 19s. 4d. to be carried forward to the present year's account. The prospects of business are very satisfactory. The Corporation is at present carrying out, in addition to ordinary work, large and important contracts for the Liverpool Overhead Railway, the electric lighting of the city of Oxford, and also for the electric plant for the Crystal Palace district. The balance of the authorised debenture issue is now required for the working of the Corporation, and the Directors will be glad to receive applications, as soon as possible, on the enclosed form, in order to avoid the expense of a public issue. In accordance with the articles of association, four of the Directors-viz., Sir Henry Mance, with Messrs. Ebbsmith, Holt, and Moseley-retire from the Board, all of whom are eligible and offer themselves for re-election. Messrs. Broads, Paterson, and Co., the present auditors of the Corporation, retire and offer themselves for re-eleetion. In conclusion, the Directors desire to express their continued and increased confidence in the future of the undertaking.

PROFIT AND Loss ACCOUNT FROM 1ST OCTOBER,
Dr.
SEPTEMBER, 1891.
Expenses and cost of production during the year
ended 30th September, 1891, at Wolverhampton
and Millwall, including engineering department
and laboratory expenses..

Depreciation of machinery, furniture, etc..
Head office expenses, including rents, patent

expenses, Directors' fees, Managing Director's
salary, accountancy, etc...

Auditors' fee

1891, TO 30TH £ s. d.

129,890 16 10 3,099 18 8

11,423 7 1

Interest upon debentures and temporary loans...... Other expenses, including the cost of advertising, issuing debentures, law charges, etc.

Balance carried to reserve for

BALANCE-SHEET, 30TH SEPTEMBER, 1891.
£ s. d. £ 8. d.

49,000 ordinary shares of £10 each 499,000 0 0
100 founders' shares of £10

Less calls in arrear

1,000 0 0

500,000 0 0 8,158 19 5

491,841 0 7 69,000 0 0

FOWLER-WARING CABLES COMPANY.

Directors: Messrs. Wm. Fowler (chairman), Walter Chamberlain, R. W. Eddison, George Fleming, the Hon. J. S. GathorneHardy, M.P., Colonel J. T. North, R. S. Waring.

Report to be presented to the shareholders at the third ordinary general meeting, to be held at Winchester House, Old Broadstreet, E.C., on Friday, the 18th inst.

In submitting their second annual report the Directors express their regret that they are unable to allow a profit on the work of the year. At the same time, they are glad to say that the business of the Company has made great progress. There has been a marked increase in the volume of business done as compared with last year, and the gross profit has been sufficient to cover all ordinary and some extraordinary expenses. The factory is well equipped and organised, and the work done there is unsurpassed. Since the close of the financial year numerous orders have been received, to say nothing of many important enquiries. The Directors, therefore, fully retain their previously expressed confidence in the future of the business, further details of which will be found in the annexed report of the general manager. There is, however, no manufacturing business in which the competition is keener than it is in ours, and a new undertaking must necessarily require time for development and to make its manufactures known. Meanwhile, as materials must be paid for almost on delivery, and as it is often necessary to give considerable credit to our customers, as well as to provide for special additions to plant to enable us to meet the new demands constantly being made by electrical engineers, the Directors believe that the employment of a larger working capital than the Company possesses would be justified by results, and would materially assist in bringing the concern to a dividend-paying position. The Directors have again not drawn their fees, but on this occasion they have debited the amount in suspense, as they anticipate a state of things when the payment of this amount will be fully justified by the condition of the business. The retiring directors, Mr. Walter Chamberlain and Mr. R. W. Eddison, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. The auditors, Messrs. Cooper Bros. and Co., offer themselves for re-election.

GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT.