The Lyttelton Times. FRIDAY, FEB. 3, 1882.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6533, 3 February 1882, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. FRIDAY, FEB. 3, 1882.

Nobody doubts that it would be a great feather in the cap of the Lyttelton Harbour Board if that body were to light the Port by electricity. That there is a project on foot to produce that resnlt, and that the project is near maturity, is now well known to the public It became known by a curious coincidence at the very moment when a discussion was going on at the meeting of the principal Gas Company of Canterbury on the question of electricity versus gas. A very few years ago, the amazing progress ascribed to eleotric lighting frightened gas companies all over the world nearly out of their wits. But when it turned out that the progress was more apparent than real, the price of gas shares recovered. But though the faoile writers who described the doings of the electricians went far ahead of the real facts, the facts by no means stood still. Electric lighting progressed . rapidly. The light was at the outset acknowledged as superior for purposes which required concentration of illuminating power. For distribution of light it was not suitable, the expense being prohibitory, and the mechanical disadvantage very great. But the meohanism has been improved by the industrious ingenuity of inventors, and the expense lessened. At present many business establishments are furnished with the eleotric light, as are some private houses; commanders of men-of-war find it invaluable; merchant steamers employ it with effect, and harbours, towns, and publio places, here and there, are extremely well lighted by it. But the eleotrio light has not yet sucoeeded in making any great impression on the Gas Companies. If it is destined to beat the present purveyors of light owtof the field, it oan not do so without a long and arduous struggle. Prudence should, therefore, be the leading prinoiple of all gas purveyors. For the profitable exercise of that virtue they will have ample time. If they are prudent, and win I

their battle aa well, they will be rich indeed. If they are prudent. and lose the battle they will not be deprived ot their own.

Everybody |would, of course, be right glad to see a system of bright lights in Lyttelton. Tho electric light, as Messrs Bell and Miller inform the Harbour Board, is the brightest that can be got. And with all that array of jetties and breastworks, for the most part unprotected, the brightest light obtainable is required. The prevention of accident, and the suppression of illegal practices, oombine to make brilliancy as of day imperative. In a orowded harbour there is always a mass of human beings moving to and fro; passengers moving from ship to railway, and vice versd, bewildered with the geography of unfamiliar places; seamen, Btevedores, wharf people, going about their work; trains of waggons, loaded and empty, going to and fro; cianes, whips, and all sorts of gear in motion, shifting goods of every description. In addition, ships are always leaving and arriving, berths have to be found, vessels shifted, and in rough weather fastenings and moorings carefully overhauled. At some seasons of the year, besides, the full work of the day is carried on into the dark hours after sunset. And every year the port gets more and more full of business. The nearest approach to daylight is the light that is wanted under the circumstances. The public has a right to expect that its work shall be done by night with the same completeness as by day. The pilot or shipmaster who brings his ship into port should be able to estimate his distances and see his course and the berth he is making for; the passenger and the passenger's friend should find no inconvenience from the darkness; the artisan who works in the dock and the labourer on the wharf, the enginedriver, and the goods clerk—all these must see well, if despatch and safety are to continue to be the leading features of the business at Port Lyttelton. The best light that can be obtained is the light wanted.

Messrs Bell and Miller have advised the Board that no light will secure these advantages so well as the eleotrie light. Candle power for candle power, the brilliancy of the electric light they say is " far above that of gaß, and extends over a much greater area." The statement is a trifle strange to the unprofessional mind, whioh is apt to think that a candle power is a candle power no matter whence it may be derived. Bnt this question is hardly likely to trouble the Board, for no Gas Company in the Colony is prepared, so far as we are aware, with the appliances necessary to supply as great a body of candle power as the Messrs Siemens Brothers are offering. The relative cost, moreover, of gas and electricity is likely in this Colony to be in favour of electricity, seeing that the price of gas is more than double what it is at Home, and the cost of electricity, candle power for candle-power, has not been double that of gas, in any of the competitions of which we remember to have read. The question of cost is the only question which the Board is likely to be troubled about. Is the Board prepared to pay down £3500, or £2500, according to the system adopted P The Chairman* thinks not. The answer de-

pends to some extent on the annual expenditure which the system will require for maintenance. But the Board has a good income and a growing trade, with plenty of cash in hand, while the necessary additions to the harbour works can be spread over a number of years. The meaning of which is, that the public which wants the convenience of a harbour lighted in a first-class manner, according to the latest discovered scientific improvements, is in a position to pay for it. It must not be forgotten, in addition, that the more complete the conveniences and appliances of a port, the greater the attractions it offers to commerce. To light the harbour with the electrio light, will be a work both useful and profitable.