ELECTRICITY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8180, 23 July 1912, Page 5

ELECTRICITY.

IS IT A WORLD DANGER? (To the Editor "N.Z. Times.”)’ Sir,—As all readers of your valuable paper must have noticed that during the last few years meteorological abnormalities throughout the world have been increasing until at tho present time they may well bo termed the rulo rather than the exception, I am prompted to put on paper a few deductions which may prove of interest, if not of actual concern, to both the layman and the practical electrician. Now, sir, some thirty years ago, when tho great possibilities of electricity began to bo seriously recognised as a motive power, etc., I »read with rapt interest an article from the pen of the then Bishop of Natal dealing with the possible outcome of tho many schemes then mooted in connection with this greatest of all J forces of nature. Tho good bishop, I

whoso name has long since left my memory. had no doubts regarding the possible benefits of harnessing this great power, but without giving specific reasons ho concluded with the' somewhat startling prediction that the indiscriminate production of electrical contrivance-; would be responsible for atmospheric disturbances by way of storm and flood of a world-wide character that man would have cause to remember. As if in manner fascinated that prediction lias never Iclt my mind. The march of years has seen tho development on a scale and in variety of the electrician’s contrivances beyond tho dreams of tho scientist of the bishop's day, and apparently only the fringe of the field has been touched. So, 100. lias the march of the years seen the multiplication of disasters by atmospheric derangement in number and magnitude to an extent alarming. Alas! aro wo but on Die fringe of tnese also? Now, sir, for a few deductions in tho hops of drawing the electrician for the benefit of all. I am always ready to learn. It goes without saying, all who interfere with the o-ourso of nature shall suffer, and on this safest of all rocks 1 base my argument and I begin by drawing attention to the fact that ail the greatest atmospheric abnormalities (to the extent at times of disaster} arc taking place in those countries where the most electricity is being used, l-’or the controlling of inmunerablo air currents and a normal disposal of the aqueous constituent of our atmosphere a wise Creator saw fit to use the magnetism of a certain quantity of electricity. Man having discovered other uses for—and a means of tapping—this force has now set himself to a wholesale depletion of this governing element, and the query is. can ho proceed along this lino indefinitely without doing more mischief than the benefits warrant? I am convinced ho cannot.

I have already been told that tho quantity of elccvricity being unlimited and its force (by use) being indestructible, no harm can conic, but this lias not disposed of me by any means, because, these facts remain uncontrovertible—just so much as was placed there is required to maintain tho normal condition. One volt in captivity is one volt less in operation where nature intended. In conclusion, sir, with all due deference to certain astronomers who persistently point to gigantic sun-spots as responsible for abnormal conditions on our planet, X venture tho opinion that era long some scientist will bo thinking along tho same lines as myself and give the world another cause to nondor over, many millions of miles nearer home, and wo may live to see a very largo proportion of present-day electrical power plants, at all events, figuratively speaking, heaved into tho sea by virtue of legislative enactment.— I am, etc., E.r.c. I Havelock S., July 18th.