EXPERIMENT AT DUNEDIN WITH SIEMAN'S ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Evening Post, Volume XVI, Issue 271, 15 November 1878, Page 3

EXPERIMENT AT DUNEDIN WITH SIEMAN'S ELECTRIC LIGHT.

- * I The Otago Daily Times of the 4th inst. contains the following :— " One of Siemens electric lights, recently imported by Mr. David Proudlbot for use in connection with the harbor dredging contract, was exhibited on Saturday nigiit from the roof of Messrs. Arthur Brlscoo and Co.'s premises, Princess-street. Great interest U now being manifested in all parts of the world in "tho development of the electric light, which, in a few years, will in all probability supersede gas in tho illumination of our streets. On Saturday nieht the trial of the Pieman light was most satisfactory, and quite sufficient to set at rest all doubts that may have existed here as to the practical utility of tho new illuminating power. We stated before that >he light w^s guaranteed to be of 6000 candle power, that the machinery connected with it was worked by a four-horse power pnginc, that the lamp was fitted with a parabolic reflector, and that the lamp and reflector revolved iv order that the light might be thrown in any direction. Shortly after dark the machinery was set in motion, and in a few minutes a pure and brilliant light was produced rendering plainly visible objects half a mile off. When the rays were thrown towards the top of Rattraystreet, houses, close to the Town Belt, stood out as clearly as in daylight amidst the surrounding darkns's, and bad the experiments been conducted at a later hour the effect would have been rather startling; to the inmates. Ttie full power of the light was well shown when it was reflected along Princes-street. From Jetty-Street to the Octagon, the street was so well illuminated that ordinary type could hive been road without much difficulty, while in front of Mossrs. Arthur and Co.'s premises the light was quite dazzling. The gas lamps looked as insignificant and yellow as tallow candles in daylight."

The Manutahi Debating Society recently discussed the interesting subject of the number of bachelors in the colony, and the reason why the young men do not get married, the theme being particularly applicable to Manutahi (says tho Wanganui Herald ), where, though there aro plenty of young people, marriages very seldom occur. In tho course of a long and interesting debate at this meeting it had been advanced by oue speaker that the youog men did not marry was because they could not get anybody to marry them. ''That is not the case in Manutahi," said a member of the society. " For, take the case of Farmer So-and-so, who has six marri'geable daughters, who have waited a long while for an eligible suitor." The little speech, in the natural course of events, reached the ears of the happy parent alluded to, and he made such representations on the subject to the head of that soiety as to cause him at the next meeting to announce that members would do well to be more guarded in their remarks when discussing such delicate matters as had formed the subject of the last debate. : It is n most exceptional circumstance (says , the West Coast Times) to hear of a bankrupt paying twenty shillings in the pound to all his creditors, and having a surplus to draw for himself from the trustee. Yet such a case has ( occurred iv Hokifika this week. Mr. Johann ( S nger, aft<T paying everyone the full amount of his claim against the estate, was Iho possessor of £8 11s, which he had, by order of the 1 Court, refunded to him by the trustee. The j question naturally arises, what occasion was thore for his becoming a bankrupt ? but this is best known to the now happy creditors. (