FEBRUARY 27, 1891.]

of the circuit. We have here then a reason why the circuit must be closed; if it were not so, wherever the break occurred we should there have friction of the vortex rings against the ether, all motion immediately arrested, and only an electrostatic strain produced; with a continuous circuit only can a continuous motion of the vortex rings be possible.

This motion is what we recognise as being really the electrical energy of the current. It is clear that a continuous "expenditure of energy is required to keep it up, for consider the inside of the vortex rings immediately in contact with the wire; there is no gearing with the ether inside the metal, only a frictional kind of contact, and a resistance to motion offered in some way by the molecules of the metal; the result is a slipping of the wheels on the surface, positive electricity being dragged along in one direction, and negative in the other direction, and a production of heat due to the friction. This heat means a continuous expenditure of energy, which must be drawn out of the vortex rings; owing to the friction it is not so easy to keep them going as it otherwise would be; they have to be forced round against the friction. This puts a back pressure upon them, as it were, and instead of being easily generated in the magnetic field, they have to be generated in opposition to this back pressure; this means a greater crowding up of the lines of the field than would otherwise be necessary, and a correspondingly greater mechanical pressure applied to drive the wire through the field, and power is required not only to move the wire through the field, but to set up and maintain the system of vortex rings throughout the extent of the circuit, and to keep them going in opposition to the resistances they encounter at the surface of the wire.

This is what we are to understand by the conversion of mechanical into electrical energy; the mechanical energy is tangible enough to an engineer, and by the theory of the ether which has been very ronghly given in outline, it may be seen that electrical energy is not, after all, such a very intangible affair, nor the conversion of the one kind of energy into the other altogether incomprehensible; it is a thing which an ordinary engineer ought to understand, and be able to make use of as occasion requires. It is clear that mechanical and electrical energies are both really quantities of the same kind, the one being energy of material bodies and the other energy of the ether. The mechanical energy is not converted into electricity; it remains nothing but energy all the time; i.e., something in motion and capable of doing work. It also follows that the energy of the electric current is not in the current, it is not in the stream or streams of electricity being dragged along the wire; it is in the surrounding ether, and the current is drawing it out and dissipating it in the form of heat. The path along which the energy flows is readily seen; the axis of any vortex ring is a circle round the wire; the ether is moving round this axis everywhere in a plane at right angles to it at the point considered; energy is picked up on one side of the ring and handed out at the other, thus travelling at right angles to the axis, precisely as in the case of cog wheels on parallel shafts. Some of the energy passes inwards towards the wire to maintain the motion against the friction on and within the metal, the other part is passed on along the circuit paralled to the wire, but always at right angles to the whirls in the ether engaged in transmitting it.

So much for the conversion of mechanical into electrical energy; the converse problem, viz., the conversion of electrical into mechanical energy, follows almost as a corollary from what has been said. Suppose the electrical energy to be coming in along the wire, a portion of which is immersed somewhere in a magnetic field, as shown in figs. 7 and 8. The vortex rings belonging to the current add their spin to the ether on one side of the wire, and subtract it from the lines on the other side; the consequence is that the wire is forced backwards in a direction contrary to that of the arrow. If there be any resistance to this motion, the resistance will be overcome if there be energy enough coming in along the wire (i.e., if the vortex rings are being driven with sufficient power at the other end), and also, if the lines of the field are stiff enough to afford the necessary back pressure. If the resistance be overcome, work is done and energy 'consumed;" i.e., it is transferred from the vortex rings to the body offering the resistance; if it be not overcome, there is no energy transferred, only a state of strain produced.

It will be noticed that there are three essential things involved in these processes. We have, 1st, the mechanical energy in the moving conductor; 2ndly, the lines of force in the magnetic field; and, thirdly, the resulting electric current with its electrical energy in the vortex rings. From the mechanical energy and the magnetic field we get the electrical energy; and from the electrical energy and the magnetic field we get the mechanical energy; in both cases we must have an independent magnetic field. Its lines of force form a sort of abutment, or they may be likened to the fulcrum of a lever; at one end we have the mechanical energy, at the other end the electrical energy, and like the levers in mechanics, the energy at the one end is the same as that at the other, but neither is available without the fulcrum. In conclusion, it is right for me to say that the chief basis of this paper is Prof. Oliver Lodge's book on Modern Views of Electricity," being largely an expansion of some of the ideas therein; and I cannot help thinking that the time is close at hand when it will be found quite necessary to set about re-writing some of our text-books of electricity, and making them more in accordance with the principles (not necessarily the details) of the theory of electrical energy which I have endeavoured to put before you.

66

Physical Society, February 13th, 1891.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

(Prof. A. W. REINOLD, F.R.S., Past President, in the Chair.) THE reports of the council and treasurer were read and approved. From the former it appears that there has been a satisfactory increase in the number of members, and in the average attendance at the

273

meetings. During the year a translation of Prof. Van der Waal's memoir on "The Continuity of the Liquid and Gaseous States of Matter" has been issued to members, and it is hoped that the transla tion of Volta's works, now in hand, will be published before the next general meeting.

The council regret the loss by death of Mr. W. H. Snell and Mr. W. Lant Carpenter, and obituary notices of these late members accompany the report.

The treasurer's statement shows that the financial condition of the Society is very satisfactory, and that the sales of the society's publications have increased considerably.

A vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. WHIPPLE, and seconded by Dr. GLADSTONE, was unanimously accorded to the Lords of the Committee of Council on Education for the use of the room and apparatus.

Dr. ATKINSON proposed a vote of thanks to the auditors, Prof. Fuller and Dr. Fison, which was seconded by Dr. THOMPSON, and passed unanimously. The proposer, in referring to the satisfactory nature of the accounts, recommended that the publications of the society should be brought before physicists and other students of physical science, and Dr. Thompson heartily concurred in this recommendation.

A third unanimous vote was accorded to the president and officers for their services during the past year, the proposer and seconder being Dr. WALLER and Prof. MINCHIN.

The following gentlemen were declared duly elected to form the new council:-President, Prof. W. E. Ayrton, F.R.S.; Vice-Presidents, Dr. E. Atkinson, Walter Baily, M.A., Prof. O. J. Lodge, D.Sc., F.R.S., Prof. S. P. Thompson, D.Sc. Secretaries: Prof. J. Perry, F.R.S., T. H. Blakesley, M.A., M.Inst.C.E. Treasurer: Prof. A. W. Rücker, M.A., F.R.S. Demonstrator: C. V. Boys, F.R.S. Other members of council: Shelford Bidwell, M.A., LL.B., F.R.S., W. H. Coffin, Major-Gen. E. R. Festing, R.E., F.R.S., Prof. G. F. Fitzgerald, M.A., F.R.S., Prof. J. V. Jones, M.A., Rev. F. J. Smith, M.A., Prof. W. Stroud, D.Sc., H. Tomlinson, B.A., F.R.S., G. M. Whipple, D.Sc., James Wimshurst.

The meeting was resolved into an ordinary science meeting, and Messrs. W. Thorp, B.Sc., G. W. Yule and S. Joyce were elected members of the society.

Prof. MINCHIN showed some experiments in illustration of his paper on "Photo-Electricity," read at the previous meeting. In one of these, a seleno-aluminium battery, illuminated by the light of a taper, deflected an electrometer needle, thereby actuating a relay and ringing a bell. He afterwards exhibited one of his "impulsion cells in action, and showed the change from the insensitive to the sensitive state produced by a Hertz oscillator at a distance.

In the discussion, Mr. TUNZELMANN said Kalisher and Von Uljanin had worked at the same subject, the former being the first to make experiments on a photo-E.M.F. in selenium. His cells were made by winding brass wires on glass tubes and coating them with selenium, which was subsequently annealed. These cells lost their power after some time, and would not respond to feeble lights. By using two wires of different metals he obtained better results. Fritts, in 1883, used brass and gold plates coated with selenium, and Uljanin employed platinum plates deposited so thin as to be transparent. The latter experimenter found that the E.M.F. was proportional to the square root of the intensity of the light. He also observed that the orange-yellow of the prismatic spectrum produced the greatest effect, whereas the yellow-green and the green rays of the diffraction spectrum gave the maximum E.M.F. Comparing these results with Langley's observations on the energy of the spectrum, it would appear that the E.M.F. bears no relation to the maximum energy falling on the surfaces. Speaking of the cause of the phenomena, he said the electrolytic idea of Von Uljanin seemed inapplicable to Prof. Minchin's results, and he enquired whether a mixture of selenium and aluminium would undergo a gradual change by exposure to light.

Dr. GLADSTONE said such a change, if it occurred, would be very slow, for nearly all difficult chemical reactions take time to complete. The fading of colours was adduced as an instance of slow chemical change produced by light.

Dr. WALLER thought the subject might throw light on the changes occurring in the retina, and asked if it was possible to separate thermo-electric and photo-chemical effects.

Dr. BURTON said he had suggested that the action of light on the retina was a photo-chemical one some time ago. But hitherto it had been difficult to obtain substances sensitive to any but the blue and violet rays, whereas the eye was most sensitive to green and yellow light. In the photo-electric batteries, however, the E.M.F. may generate a current, and therefore energy, and the important question seemed to be, Where does this energy come from? Is a chemical change precipitated by the action of light, or does a direct conversion of light into electric energy occur?

Prof. MINCHIN, in his reply, said he thought his cells really transformed the incident energy. They were usually kept on open circuit, and there appeared to be no deterioration with time, the only change being a sluggishness in developing their maximum É.M.F.

LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL.

AT the meeting on Tuesday last, the Parliamentary Committee reported as follows:

General Powers Bill.

We have to report for the information of the council the following list of petitions which have been presented against the General Powers Bill:-Brush Electrical Engineering Company and other

Electric Lighting Companies; Corporation of London; East London Water Works Company; East and West India Dock Company, and London and India Docks Joint Committee; Great Eastern Railway Company; Gas Light and Coke Company; Henry George Hills; North London Railway Company; Vestry of Lambeth, and the Wandsworth District Board of Works.

London Overhead Wires Bill.

Ten petitions have been presented against this Bill, viz. :-From the Commissioners of Sewers of the City of London; East London Railway Company; Society of Lincoln's Inn; the Inner Temple; the Middle Temple; London, Chatham and Dover Railway Company; Metropolitan Railway Company; Metropolitan District Railway Company; St. Giles District Board of Works, and the National Telephone Company.

Central London Railway Bill.

The following is a list of the petitions presented against this Bill:London County Council; Frank Willan and others; Duke of Westminster; Gas Light and Coke Company; Vestry of St. George, Hanover Square; Vestry of St. Marylebone; Vestry of St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington; Vestry of Hammersmith; Vestry of Paddington; Trustees of the late Duke of Portland; Ecclesiastical Commissioners; Saint Giles District Board of Works; Viscount Portman; Westminster Electric Supply Company; City and South London Railway Company; Maurice Powell; Great Western and London and North-Western Railway Companies; Edward Bird and others (Governors of Latymer Foundation at Hammersmith); Corporation of London; Commissioners of Sewers of City of London; London, Chatham and Dover Railway Company; Owners, &c., in Cornhill and Cheapside; Trustees of the Paddington Estate and others; Metropolitan Railway Company; Dean and Chapter of St. Pauls; Owners, Lessees and Occupiers; Commercial Union Assurance Company.

City and South London Railway Bill.

This scheme has been petitioned against by the following-London County Council; Gas Light and Coke Company; Lord Calthorpe ; Ecclesiastical Commissioners; Corporation of London; Commissioners of Sewers; New River Company; Messrs. Rothschild & Sons; Vestry of St. Luke, Middlesex; Regent's Canal, City, and Docks Railway Company; Metropolitan Railway Company; London Hydraulic Power Company; Betts & Co.; Governor and Company of Bank of England; North Metropolitan Tramways Company; Cooper Brothers and Co.; Metropolitan District Railway Company; Union Bank of London.

South Kensington and Paddington Subway Bill.

The following is a list of the petitions against the Bill-London County Council; Gas Light & Coke Company; Vestry of St. Mary Abbott's, Kensington; Great Western Railway Company; Ecclesiastical Commissioners: West Middlesex Water Company; Vestry of Paddington; East London Water Company; Grand Junction Water Company; Metropolitan Railway Company; National Telephone Company; City and Guilds of London Institute, &c.; Commissioners for the Exhibition for 1851; Trustees of the Paddington Estate and others; Metropolitan Electric Supply Company; Metropolitan District Railway Company.

The following is the report of the Highways Committee:

Notices under Electric Lighting Orders and Acts.

We have considered a notice (Registered No. 160), dated February 11th, 1891, from the London Electric Supply Corporation, of intention to lay trunk mains across Cockspur Street and into Red Lion Yard, where the company has a distributing station (one plan). There appears to be no objection to what is proposed; and we recommend that the sanction of the council be given to the laying of the trunk mains referred to in the notice (Registered No. 160), dated February 11th, 1891, from the London Electric Supply Corporation, upon condition that the company do give two days' notice to the council's chief engineer before commencing the works; that the mains, where laid under the footways, shall be kept 2 feet below the underside of the paving, and, where they cross the carriageway, at the same depth below the concrete, or if this be found to be impracticable, that the mains be protected from mechanical injury to the satisfaction of the council's chief engineer.

Subways.

We have considered an application with a plan from the Universal Telephone Company for permission, to run two wires, twisted together, in the subway of Northumberland Avenue, for the purpose of establishing communication between the Hotel Metropole and the Grand Hotel. There appears to be no objection to this proposal; but we are of opinion that the company should be called upon to pay a small rent for the use of the subway for the purposes of its business. We recommend that the Universal Telephone Company be allowed, during the pleasure of the Council, to run two wires, twisted together, in the subway of Northumberland Avenue, as shown upon the plan submitted by the company, upon condition that the positions in which the wires shall be placed in the subway shall be determined by the Council's chief engineer; that the space occupied by them shall not exceed that which would be taken up by a 2-inch pipe; that the work of placing them shall be carried out, and that any damage that may be done to the subway in the execution of the work shall be made good, to the satisfaction of the Council's chief engineer, and at the cost of the Company; and that the Company do agree to pay a rent of £1 a year in respect of the use of the subway during the time that the wires remain there.

[FEBRUARY 27, 1891.

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

TELEGRAPH REVISION SCHEME.

EARL COMPTON asked the Postmaster-General whether he could state at what date the revision scheme in telegraph offices throughout the United Kingdom would be completed.

Mr. RAIKES: The revision scheme to which the noble lord apparently alludes was carried into effect in July last. The corollary measure, which is independent of that revision, and only deals with a comparatively small number of superior officers, is now engaging the attention of the Treasury.

LIVERPOOL CENTRAL TELEGRAPH OFFICE.

EARL COMPTON asked the Postmaster-General whether the Central Telegraph Office buildings at Liverpool were unhealthy and unsatisfactory, and if so, what steps he intended to take in the matter.

Mr. RAIKES: Assuming that the noble lord is referring to the head post office at Liverpool, I have to state that the special inquiry mentioned in my reply of December 8th last to the hon. member for the Kirkdale Division has been made, and that the whole subject is now under the consideration of the Treasury.

NOTES.

The Spanish-Morocco Cables.-The Spanish journal, El Liberal, recently announced the arrival (on February 13th), at Almeria, of the Italian cable steamer the Citta di Milano, carrying a portion of the cables manufactured by Messrs. Pirelli & Co. for the Spanish Government and which are to be laid along the Morocco coast, and between that coast and Spain. It was stated that on the expedition under notice the sections betwen Almeria and Alboran, and Alboran and Melilla were to be laid. We are also informed that the cable hut on Alboran had been completed, and that the telegraph station was in course of construction. The Spanish gunboat Isla de Luzon has been detailed by the Government to escort the cable steamer during the operation of submerging the cable. The cable communications about to be established present, outside Spain, no features of general interest, except perhaps the fact that facilities will be now afforded for vessels to telegraph when passing the island of Alboran; this accommodation may possibly be of some service. The places on the Morocco Coast, which it is proposed to connect by submarine cable, may be described as purely convict settlements and prisons, but it is easy to understand that Spain may wish to establish a firmer hold on the shores of a territory she has long coveted; hence the accomplishment of the long desired telegraph communications.

Storms and Telegrams.-It is stated in the portion of this paper published in last week's issue, that the Post Office cables are made in lengths of 200 yards, and are drawn from a flush box in the middle, 100 yards each way. Consequently, joints are to be met with every 200 yards. These cables have (unless changed very lately) been always made in lengths of 400 yards, and flush boxes are placed at every 100 yards (more frequently when curves, &c., are met with), the cable is coiled down at the 200 yard box, and the ends are drawn each way; one end of 200 yards is first drawn through to the 100 yard box, and the end drawn out, the cable is turned over to get the end up, and it is then drawn to the joint box. The opposite portion of 200 yards is then drawn to No. 3 box, treated similarly, and its end carried through to No. 4, or second joint box. Thus, in dealing with a 400 yard length, there is a little more trouble, but extra joints are avoided.

Electric Lighting at Cannes.-The Cannes Electric Lighting Company has been formed at Lyons to work a concession given by the Cannes municipality for twenty years, the exclusive right to supply light and power being for eight years. The power will be obtained from the Sianne canal. Subscriptions to the extent of 5,500 incandescent lamps have already been received.

Electric Traction in Breslau.-The present tramline will shortly be converted into an electric tramway on the overhead system

FEBRUARY 27, 1891.]

The "Webber" Electric Light Fitting.-The fitting illustrated has been designed by General Webber, and is manufactured (solely) by the Blockley Electric Lighting and Manufacturing Company. As will be seen from the woodcat, it is of very simple construction, and is available either as a standard or a bracket, and an arm with which it is pro

vided fits it for attachment to the back of an easy chair or any similar position. It is lightly but substantially made of brass rod and is supplied either with or without a wire frame for a shade. It is supplied in two sizes, 12 inches to top of shade, and 18 inches.

Advertising by Electromotor, The Elektricitäts Zeitung states that a small electric motor has been installed in the window of a Berlin lottery firm. The motor drives a lottery wheel, and the current is obtained from the Berlin Electricity Works.

Madrid Lighting.-From advices just to hand, we learn that the electric lighting of the Senado (corresponding to our House of Lords) which is supplied with current from the mains of the Electricity Supply Company for Spain, Limited, was, on Wednesday night, witnessed by the Queen and suite. The Queen expressed her great satisfaction at the illumination. It will be remembered that the system employed by this English company is that of the high tension alternating current transformer type, whose station is outside the city, and is on the model of the House-to-House Company's station at West Brompton.

Electric Indicator.-In reply to a letter of "L. B.," asking for information about a particular electric indicator, Messrs. Yeates, of 2, Grafton Street, Dublin, say that they are makers of every kind of indicators, including the one mentioned by our correspondent. Messrs King, Mendham and Co., Bristol, have written us to the same effect.

Newspaper Science Repeated. Not long ago, the Times contained a detailed account of the production of water gas at the Leeds Forge. As everyone might have supposed, the publicity was simply the prelude to financial operations. In this case it happened to be a speculative affair of colossal proportions. In due time the subject came within the domain of the City Editor, and was then properly handled, with the result that an unseemly controversy ensued between the parties interested in the promotion of the schemes and the Times. The unfavourable opinion of the City Editor was confronted with the favourable opinion of the contributor, and the latter, of course, regarded (by the interested parties) as the more correct. On Wednesday, the Times contained a report of the Elmore visit, and it will be interesting to note if history repeats itself. Perhaps a double lesson will teach the Times that its duty to the public is not performed by giving prominence in its columns to reports of industrial inspections, which may just as well be prepared by the interested parties as by one of the technical contributors, by whom the Times is generally supposed to be represented on such occasions.

275

Liverpool Corporation Assistant Electrician.-The Lighting Committee of the Liverpool Corporation, at their meeting on the 9th inst., had before them a proposition to appoint a general assistant to the electric inspector, who would be required to assist in both clerical and technical work. This is due to the rapid increase in the amount of electrical testing and inspectional work carried out by this department, which has followed upon the extended operations of the Liverpool Electric Supply Company, Limited. After some discussion, Mr. Herbert James Roscoe was unanimously appointed, subject to the usual provisions as to superannuation, &c. Mr. Roscoe was, till his appointment, in the employ of the Liverpool Electric Supply Company, Limited, a company which has probably a larger output than that of any other using the simple parallel system of distribution at low pressure.

Smoking Concerts.-A most successful Smoking Concert was given by the staff of the General Electric Company on Friday evening, February 20th, at the Mason's Hall Tavern, Basinghall Street, Mr. Max Binswanger, in the chair. An excellent company assembled, and the variety programme, consisting of comic and sentimental songs, violin solos, and a comic sketch, entitled "Black Justice," appeared to give great satisfaction, judging from the frequent encores. After an enjoyable evening, the concert closed with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman, which was passed with musical honours.

The cricket club of the Electric Construction Corporation, formerly known as the E.P.S.C.C., held their annual smoking concert at Limehouse Town Hall on Friday last, the 20th inst. the managing director, Mr. Joseph Ebb Smith, presiding. During the evening the best batsman of the season, Mr. A. Shaw, was presented with a handsome bat, and the best bowler, Mr. I. A. Munroe, with a travelling bag. A most cheerful evening was spent by all present.

Award. The Endolithic Ivory Company, Limited, were awarded the only prize medal and diploma for address, tablets, and switchboard labels at the exhibition lately held in Edinburgh.

Electric Lighting at Croydon.-The question of overhead wires was discussed at a recent meeting of the Croydon County Council, and the Town Clerk reported that the Board of Trade proposed to insert in the electric lighting provisional order a clause to the effect that overhead wires shall not be erected without the consent of the Board of Trade. The General Purposes Committee, in their report, thought that as no such prohibition was contained in any provisional order granted to a local authority last session, and although it is probable that in all the principal streets, and perhaps throughout the borough, the council would think it desirable to have underground wires, yet they (the committee) considered the restriction undesirable, and appointed a deputation to wait upon the Board of Trade, and remonstrate against its insertion. In the course of a discussion, the opinion was expressed that it would be unwise to try and remove the restriction the Board of Trade had imposed. The introduction of overhead wire was viewed with apprehension, but the report was adopted on the ground that the committee should be left unfettered.

Presentation at Widnes.-The workmen of the Liverpool Silver and Copper Company, Limited, Widnes, last week presented their manager, Mr. William Gibbings, with a handsome marble timepiece and bronze statuettes to match, in commemoration of his marriage, which took place on the 5th instant. In acknowledging the gift, Mr. Gibbings said that where the relations between capital and labour were friendly, both were benefited. The directors would themselves, he had no doubt, be gratified with what had taken pleae, and take it as indicative of the good relations which existed all round. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. We understand that this company are very large makers of high conductivity copper for electrical purposes, and that their brands have a high reputation in the market,

276

To the Best of his Knowledge.-A correspondent who objects to finding leaflets of the celebrated Harness's goods in the folds of his copy of the Strand Magazine, wrote to the (editor of Tit-Bits, both journals, we understand, belonging to the same proprietor. To his complaint he received the following reply:-"Dear Sir,-I am duly in receipt of your letter, and desire to thank you for drawing my attention to the matter you refer to. To the best of my knowledge, the advertiser you name is quite respectable, and his appliances have, I am informed, done an immense amount of good.Yours very truly, The EDITOR."

Personal. Mr. Rankin Kennedy has opened newly built and specially fitted works at Carntyne, Glasgow, for the manufacture of a number of recently patented inventions in connection with electrical distribution plants and alternating

motors.

City Commission of Sewers.-The Streets Committee laid before the Commission a letter from the Board of Trade intimating that they were satisfied that the Electrical Engineering Companies were in a position to discharge the duties and obligations imposed upon them by the City of London (Brush) Electric Lighting Order, 1890. Mr. Morton, M.P,, asked whether the Commission were dealing with the two companies with whom they had contracted in regard to the electric lighting of the City or with the company of which the Lord Mayor was chairman. The chairman said that, as he understood the matter, they had nothing whatever to do with the latter company. After the transaction of some other business, the court adjourned.

Electricity as a Life Preserver.-Despite the fact that the electric light has been the reputed cause of many recent fires, it enabled the inmates of a country mansion in Buckingham to leave a burning building in compara- tive safety. Maids-Moreton Lodge, the residence of the Baroness Kinross, was discovered early in the morning of Sunday to be on fire, the inhabitants were abed at the time, and it seemed that the conflragration was likely to be - attended with fatal results, when the electric light, which had been lately installed, was turned on, and the inevitable confusión usually attendant upon fires, was prevented.

The Cost of Electric Incandescent Lighting.-The lighting engineer to the Vestry of the parish of St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington, has reported to the Special Purposes Committee the result of some interesting experiments in comparing the illumination of Kensington Town Hall by gas and by incandescent lamps. The conclusion he arrives at is that, light for light, electricity at 8d. per unit costs nearly three times as much as gas, which in his district is 2s. 9d. per 1,000 cubic fect. This bears out what is now generally conceded that electrical energy at 6d., 7d., 8d., 9d., 10d., &c., per unit, may be regarded as equivalent to gas at 6s., 7., 8., 9s., 10s., and so on, per 1,000.

The Royal Society.-The Croonian Lecture was to be delivered last night by Mr. F. Gotch and Prof. Victor Horsley, F.R.S., "On the Mammalian Nervous System, its Functions and their Localisation determined by an Electrical Method."

Obituary.-Friends of Mr. W. T. Glover, of Manchester, the well-known cable manufacturer, will be extremely sorry to learn of the loss he has sustained by the death of his wife. This lady was well-known and highly-esteemed by many friends of her husband in the electrical profession. Her early death had been for some time foreseen, but the end came rather suddenly, and the deceased lady passed away on the 23rd inst., at the early age of thirty-six, leaving behind a family of three children.

[FEBRUARY 27, 1891.

The World's Columbian. Exposition.-Mr. John P. Barrett, city electrician of Chicago, has been appointed elec trician to the forthcoming exhibition.

Electricity in the Navy-The Royal Sovereign, which was launched by Her Majesty at Portsmouth yesterday, will be lighted throughout by electricity; 600 lamps are to be fitted, and four search lights of 25,000 candle-power.

The Proposed Pacific Cable.-A contemporary's telegram states that the vote of the United States Senate, appropriating the sum of $3,000,000 as a subsidy for the Hawaiian cable, is strongly opposed in the House of Representatives.

The Electrical Standards Committee.-The following members of the Electrical Standards Committee were present at the meeting held at the Board of Trade on Friday last :Mr. Courtenay Boyle, Major Cardew, Mr. Graves, Mr. Preece, Sir William Thomson, Lord Rayleigh, Prof. G. Carey Foster, Mr. R. F. Glazebrook, Dr. John Hopkinson, and Prof. Ayrton. Mr. R. E. Crompton, Dr. Fleming, and Dr. Alexander Muirhead attended and gave evidence.

Musical Telegraph Clerks.-The St. Cecilia Orchestral Society, which is a musical association formed by the staff of the Central Telegraph Department, gave a grand vocal and orchestral concert on Friday last at the Foresters' Hall, Clerkenwell Road. The room was well filled, and the whole performance gave satisfactory evidence that the society has attained a high state of efficiency. The singing of Mr. Alex. McEwan, and the violin playing of Mr. Bernhard Carrodus met with special appreciation, but every item of the Mr. Arthur programme was well received and applauded. Crudge was the conductor, and he is to be complimented upon the high degree of efficiency exhibited by the forces under his baton.

The City Railway and the Spurgeon Orphanage.There is a good deal of misapprehension with regard to the question at issue between the trustees of Mr. Spurgeon's Orphanage and the directors of the City Railway. The facts are as follows:-The Orphanage Homes for Boys and Girls, founded by Mr. Spurgeon, accommodating about 500 children, lie back some distance from the Clapham Road, and form a quadrangle enclosing four acres of land. Until now the institution has been a kind of rus in urbe, but the construction of the railway is looked upon as a calamity. The railway company has acquired land immediately in the rear of the orphanage, and the trouble complained of is the vibra tion caused by the engines generating the power, which are situate about ten feet from the wall. It is said by the managers of the orphanage that the nuisance is intolerable, and one. portion of the establishment has been vacated in consequence. Although the railway directors have endeavoured to mitigate the evil, it seems highly probable that the matter will be taken into the law courts.

OFFICIAL RETURNS OF ELECTRICAL

COMPANIES.

Grange Syndicate. Limited.-The statutory return of this company, made up to the 15th December, was filed 30th December. The nominal capital is £2,000, in £5 shares. 229 shares are taken up, upon 207 of which the full amount has been called, npou 20 £3 per share, and upon the renining two, £4 per share has been called. The calls paid amount to £808, and unpaid to £295. Offices, 3, Tokenhouse Buildings, Tokenhouse Yard, Bank, E.C.

Sheffield Telephone Exchange and Electric Light Company, Liniited.-The statutory return of this com

FEBRUARY 27, 1891.]

made up to the 26th ult., was filed 3rd inst. The pany, nominal capital is £100,000 divided into 8,000 ordinary and 2,000 preference shares of £10 each; 1,007 preference and 4,000 ordinary shares are taken up, upon all of the preference shares the full amount has been called, and upon all of the ordinary shares £8 per share has been called. The calls paid amount to £9,840, considered as paid to £32,000, and unpaid to £230. Offices, Commercial Street, Sheffield.

Elmore's Austro-Hungarian Patent Copper-Depositing Company, Limited. The statutory return of this company, made up to the 6th inst., was filed on the 11th inst. The nominal capital is £200,000 in £2 shares ; 50,000 shares are taken up, upon all of which the full amount has been called. The calls paid amount to £87,205 15s., and unpaid to £12,794 5s. Offices, 20, Bucklersbury, E.C. Elmore's French Patent Copper Depositing Company. The statutory return of this company, made up to the 23rd ult., was filed 30th ult. The nominal capital is £200,000, in £2 shares; 66,750 shares are taken up, upon all of which the full amount has been called. The calls paid amount to £123,064, and unpaid to £10,436. The registered office of the company is changed to 64, Cannon Street, E.C.

CITY NOTES.

The St. James's and Pall Mall Electric Light Company. Limited.

THE report of the directors of this company is one of the most hopeful of any of those issued as yet by any electric light company. It is published below, with the accounts and balance sheet, and can be, therefore, readily examined by our readers. The profit available for dividends and interest on debentures, &c., is put down at £4,978, or close upon £5,000; but about 41.000 for directors' remuneration, and for salaries of secretary, gineers, clerks, &c., has been charged to capital instead of revenue account, because, as the directors state, the station has been at work for three months only in 1890. A second station has now to be undertaken, and assuming that similar results are realised during a mplete year on both installations, it seems quite probable that the company may in the near future pay a high rate of dividend cn its ordinary shares, after paying the 7 per cent. dividend on the preference shares, but it must not be forgotten that after 7 per cent. is paid on the ordinary shares, the founders' shares will divide the remaining profits equally with them. Doubtless the stoppage of the supply of electricity by the London Electric Supply Company has helped very materially the rapid development of the company, whose position we are now considering; at the same time it is generally held that the districts of the latter are, for electric lighting purposes, the very finest in the metropolis, and the future of the Company, if the same able management is continued, should, therefore, be well assured.

Making a total of

£100,000 0 0

277

The conversion of these debentures places the company in a posi tion to, at once raise moneys for the purposes of the Northern which the company has to erect to satisfy the requirements are the district covered by the provisional order granted by the Board of Trade, and approved by Parliament during its last session.

The question of the amount of damages payable by the contractors for delay was referred by consent to the arbitration of Mr. J. Eletcher Moulton, Q.C., who awarded the sum of £1,806 11s. 6d. to the 'company for loss of income. The directors being, cf opinion that this sum represents the equivalent of depreciation up to the 31st Decenber, 1890 (a large part of the machinery having been in work for but a short period), have written this amount off capital expenditure. By reference to paragraph 2 of this report, it will be seen that the station has practically been at work for three months only in 1890, and that the dividend has been earned during that period. The directors have, therefore, after consultation with the company's auditors, charged £963 3s. 1d., being one moiety of directors' fees and management salaries for the year, to capital expenditure. On Statement III. it will be seen that the account of capital is charged with £65,981 11s. 9d., as expended to December 31st, 1889, The balance sheet at that date displays that this sum is made up of capital and general expenditure, from which is deducted a small sum received for current supplied, &c.

During the first six months of the year the company's revenue showed a debit of £183 7s. 11d. During the last six months the profit amounted to £5,161 8s. 8d., which, after deduction of the debit refered to, leaves a balance of £4,978 Os. 9d. to be dealt with. Of this sum £2,412 88. has beeu provided for payment of interest, and out of the balance of £2,565 12s. 9d. the directors recommend a dividend of 5s. per share, free of income tax, on the 9,000 ordinary shares in existence on the 31st December, 1890, absorbing £2,250, leaving a balance of £315 12s. 9d. to carry forward.

The experience gained since September has satisfied the directors that the shareholders possess a very valuable property, which will yield a large steadily increasing income on their investment.

The directors regret the loss of their esteemed colleagne, Mr. James Hemmerde, who died in the autumn of last year; they have, under Article 84, appointed Mr. Egerton H. Clarke to a seat on the board. in his stead.

Two of the directors, namely, Mr. Eustace J. A. Balfour, the chairman, and Mr. Latimer Clark, F.R.S., retire under Clause 79 of the articles of asscciation, and, being eligible, offer themselves for rcelection.

The auditors, Messrs. Deloitte, Dever, Griffiths & Co., also retire, and being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

Referring to the notice of the extraordinary general meeting, should the shareholders adopt the suggestion of the directors to increase the capital of the company by the creation of 7 per cent. preferenceshares, it is the intention of the directors to offer 10,000 cf such 'shares to shareholders now on the register in the proportion of one preference share to every two ordinary shares. It being necessary to alter the articles of association to entitle this company's shares to a quetation on the Stock Exchange, the directors have taken the opportunity to remodel them.

The St. James's and Pall Mall Electric Light
Company, Limited.

THE directors in submitting their annual report for 1890, with counts as certified by the company's auditors, congratulate the saareholders on the satisfactory progress made by the company during the past year.

At the commencement of the period under review, the number of lights connected amounted to the equivalent of about 4,460 8-candlepower lamps. This number gradually increased up to the 30th September, when the number of lamps connected amounted to about 12,150. In the last quarter of the year remarkable progress was ade, and on the 31st December the lamps connected amounted to about 26,500, and this total has since been increased to about 30,000. On the 23rd July last, a prospectus was issued inviting subscriptions at par for 3,670 ordinary shares. All these shares have been taken up. the bulk of them being subscribed for by the directors and their friends, the shareholders subscribing for a very small number.

On the 9th of January the balance of the original issue cf shares, viz, 980, was allotted. These subscriptions have enabled the beard practically to complete the existing station, which is now in every way working satisfactorily.

Of the £50,000 debentures which, as will be seen from the accounts, were outstanding on the 31st December, £43,000 have since been coucited into ordinary shares under the powers contained in the deben tures. On the conversion of the balance of £7,000 of the debentures, the capital account of the company would stand as follows:

cost of licence, provisional order, &c. sinking artesian well ...

proportion of directors' fees and

management salaries, chargeable to capital expenditure in 1890, sec paragraph 8 of directors' report... office and other furniture and fittings, 1889

,, Ditto, ditto, 1890

£247 4 1 262: 17 4

less £1,806 11s. 6d. recovered from the contractors under an award of Mr. Moulton, Q.C., as being loss of revenue for delay (this amount represents the equivalent of depreciation, see directors' report, paragraph 7)

Balance of capital account

1,172 197

166 13 1 s 359 10 1 424 2 6.