RIVAL LIGHTING METHODS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 12064, 13 December 1904, Page 3

RIVAL LIGHTING METHODS.

GAS v. ELECTTRICriT. (SPECIAL TO THE "PKBSS.") DUNKD-IN, December 12. The bwttlo still continues between rival engineers on tbe relative value of gas and electricity for street lighting purposes. Mr Lujjgate, engineer to the Auckland Gasworks, in reply to Mr Stark, electrical engineer of the late Waipori Falls Company, on this important question, says: — "It is a great pity electric engineers seldom acknowledge the advantages of gas, but tfhow euch marked bias towards it, possibly because they know they cannot compete with it under ordinary conditions. I have erected a number of Lucas gas lights in Auckland, giving from 700 to 800 candlepower, and with gas at 5s per 1000 cubic feet, the cost of consumption is only one penny per hour, and the breakages we very small. What amount of electric light can you sell for one penny? At Home it is considered a retrograde step to have electric street lighting, and mauy towns are taking it out and substituting the Lucas gas light?, while other towns already having electric strati' lighting are extending in. Lucas gas lights, becaw-o they are so much cliea.por, l>etttr, and more reliable. Tho following towns have discarded'electric Mrcct lighting during the past few months and adopted the Lucas lights: —Hull, Ilkeston, partg of London, St. Austell (United Kingdom Electrical Syndicate doceaa-d). Lewes, Alloa, Kcighky, Calcutta, and Plymouth, wliilo complete failures in electric supply havo taken place during the past few months in Dublin, Cork. Nottingham!, Bury St. Edmonds, Tunbridge Wells; Bexhill, Smithfield Market-, JHuddersfield, Hull (second failure), Newport, Islington, Preston,- etc. In face of tliese facta, no town can justly consider the erection of more electric street lamps." In congratulating tlie City Corporation on acquiring the Waipori Falls' Company's rights. Mr Luggate, writes:—"lt ia a grand undertaking, but you will' rind there is room for both electric light and gas in Dtuiediri, and that the former, will rather increase the pales <if gas than otherwise. This has been my experience under similar circumstances elsewhere."