THE SOCIETE FRANCAISE D'ELECTRICITE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11060, 11 May 1899, Page 3

THE SOCIETE FRANCAISE D'ELECTRICITE.

LIGHTING OF CITY Bt'SIXKSS PREMISES BY ELECTRICITY. Business people of Auckland are slow ly but surely awakening to the advantages to lie gained by electric lighting, and the latest movement in this direction is the lighting by electricity of the large block of buildings extending from Millie and Choyce's wellknown drapery establishment, at the corner of Queen and Wcllesley Streets, to Mr. Fowler butchery business, at the corner of Queen and Rutland Streets, embracing several large and thriving businesses of various kinds. This important work has been placi d ill the hands of the Societe Franoiise ,I'Klectrioite, under the direct supervision of Mr. Ernest C, Crick, the local manager, whose offices and showrooms have been recently opened in Upper Queen-street. The headquarters of the society, which is a private company, with a capital of some £"30.000, are in Paris, and already the firm has undertaken large contracts in South Africa and other parts, though this is their hii'.ial rppeanince in the Australasian colonies, whither they come with the object of further eximding their business. The whole of Mitsrs. Milne and Choyce's extensive prems.'«— ground floor, showroom, workroom, etc.— will be lighted by the company, and the srnic applies to .the Tqnspn Garliek Company's furnishing warehouse,'.' Mr. Bartlett's pi olographic studio, Mr. Collins" drapery establishment, and the several other to'jrming building., while a feature that will doubtless attract considerable public attention will Lo 'he lighting of the whole length of the shop fronts in the block by 14 arc lights, having a combined power eoual In 20,000 candles. The business floors ol Ihe van jus firms will be lighted by means of InnJs'jme are lights, of great power and beaut), tper'pl.y imported from tho American firm of .landus and Ct mpany, which will burn for 140 hours without necessitating a change of carbon, and will give forth a regular opal-coloured light of mellow elfecl, entirely freo from any tendency to fits and starts. A number of handsome bracket and stand lights will also be provided, and the whole will be so arranged and grouped as to display the goods of tho various vendors to the best advantage. Another novelty, and one that should prove invaluable to Mr. Bartlett. will be the arrangement in that gentleman's studio of powerful arc lights, so designed as to allow of photographs being taken at all hours, be it early or late, daylight or dark. Photography by electric light is no uncommon thing in Paris and other parts, wliero it has found much favour, as the photographer can suit the lights to meet requirement?, and ?r manipulate them as to thoroughly master lights and shadows at will when arranging the siller. The company has also undertaken to light Messrs. Andrews and Sons' 'buses, which will, of course, be done by storage power, while the 'buses so lighted will he marked by distinguishing colours, indicalinguleslinaiion foi the benefit of passengers at night, who will thus be enabled to pick out the vehicle running to their own particular locality without the slightest difficulty. The lighting of the Queen-street block should oe completed in less than two months' lime, and although the energetic manag'-r has secured every available electrician and also sent to Sydney for more men, v.ork lias so rapidly accumulated that already there will he sufficient to keep all hands busy for 12 months to come.