Eleotric Lighting.

Otago Witness, Issue 1582, 18 March 1882, Page 29

Eleotric Lighting.

(Home News.) In spite of the rather vague and nameless terrors with which fcbe opponents of electric lighting are already threatening us, it makes rapid progress. It ought to be remembered that nothing can well exceed the baleful forecaste which accompanied the introduction of gas, It was asserted that the whole of the mekopolio would some day be enveloped In oae

awful conflagration, and that all who escaped burning to death would be certain to be blown up into the sky. Accidents have undoubtedly occurred with gas, as they will, no doubt, with electricity, and from the same cause—carelessness or ignorance in dealing with the agent which provides the light. But legislation will, no doubt, interpose to reduce dangers to a minimum by laying down stringent rules and imposing heavy penalties for neglect in management and manipulation of the electric light. Apprehensions of this kind will thus be laid at rest, and electric lighting will soon be extended to private houses. Many people in London are looking forward to it already as simpler, cleaner, ana of far greater illuminating power than gas. They are prepared, too, to keep the management more in their own hands. The monopoly which gas companies have practically enjoyed for years past m this country has been a grievous burden upon householders, and our experience here ought to be a warning not only to ourselves in adopting the new process of lighting, but to the inhabitants of all great cities who' are about to free themselves from the trammels of gas.