NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8608, 12 March 1897, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Under the head of " Elecbrjeity in Mining," a correspondent signing himself " Old Thames" writes:—"ln re the above subject in your issue of the Bth it is stated that the "loss of transmitted power is mathematically calculable " and that that los 3 equals, at the objective point, 27-44 per cent, of the original power at the Pelton wheel. Kindly inform me what is the distance from tho Peltou wheel to the objec tive point on which the loss in transmission is calculated (as per your article) at 27*44 per cent."

For a loss not greater than 27"-t4r per cent., power can, under ordinary average conditions, be electrically transmitted any distance up to 50 miles. With favorable conditions, the distance can be greatly increased. In Germany a few ye.".rs ago transmission -was effected, with excellent results, through a small wire for 100 miles, and recent triumphs of electrical transmission in the United States have exceeded 300 miles; unfortunately, the actual working figures are not just now available. It must be borne in mind that high efficiency depends entirely upon natural conditions and the electrician's ability to adapt his methods to them. He must mathematically calculate the capacity of the machinery as required in particular circumstances, and also decide intricate questions as to " voltage" and " resistance" of the current, which are subjects too deeply technical to be dealt-with in a short iiewspaper paragraph. For these reasons it is impossible to lay down a hard and fast rule as to efficiency and distance. As a matter of fact, it is possible to electrically transmit over any distance, and the recent experiments of Nikola Tesla in high tensions has given rise to the suggestion of tending power from America to England. The practical possibility of this feat is almost beyond question, but the suggestion naturaily lacks the commercial incentive which is generally a necessary factor to scientific success.

His Worship the Mayor referred in feeling terms at the Borough Council meeting last evening to the death of Mr L. Ehren fried, who had taken a great interest in public, affairs at the Thames. He spoke of his connection with the Borough as Mayor, of his unostentatiousness then and since and of his career as a citizen whose footsteps in this particular, anyone might with advantage follow in. He moved that a letter of condolence be forwarded to Mrs Ehrenfried and in the same resolution he thought the Council should record its regret at the death of the wife of Mr W. .T. IJeeble. Cr Comer coincided with th 3 Mayor, and it was resolved to send letters to the relatives of the deceased persons.

Mb Cecil Moegan, an old Thames boy is at present managing the local branch of the New Zealand Clothing Factory, Mr Page being away on a holiday. The following -will represent Rover lagainst United I to-morrow : A. Lang (captain), Billings (2), Adams, Caplo, McGregor, Lang (2), Taylor, Morgan, Rowe, Dare. Ladies, n6te this—a few choice designs and colors in costumes, one of each, shade only, direct importation by A. Court, Beehive Stores, Pollen street. [Advt.] The late Sir T. Elder left £170,000 to charities. All rates in th 6 Borough remaining vp.paid after Tuesday, 16th March -will be increased by the addition of 10 per cent. The following will represent United Ist in their match with Rover Ist to-morrow : — Pearce. Egginton, Jordan, Askenbeck, Day, S. McGregor, Thorpe, Aitkcn, Kaye, and Morgan,

I It is said that the following will constij tute the Prohibition "ticket" for the licensiug elections : —Messrs J. Roberts, WDeeble. A. H. Purnell (of the Thames) and Messrs G. H?rne and 0 Fraser (of Coro. i mandelj. The most genuine bargains obtainable on the Thames in the drapery line is to be had sat Wylie's clearing sale. The men's youths', and boys' clothing selling at W. (S. Wylie's ia extraordinary good value. The balance of prints and dress goods are being cleared at enormous reductions at W S Wylie's.—[Advt] Steam to and fbom Auckland.—The P.S. Terranora leaves Goods Wharf for

Auckland 1 uesdays, Thiu'sdays, and Saturdays, returning Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, See time table.—[Advt.] An accident occurred at tke lift of the warehouse of Messrs Macky, Logan, Pteen, and Co., Auckland, last evening, by which a man named Hardiug, who resides in Ponsonby, got accidentally crushed. He

was taken to the Hospital. It is stated that his injuries are internal, and of a severe character Harding had been only temporarily employed openingl up cases of goods. The anniversary services of the Salvation Army will be held at the Barracks on Saturday next, and will be conducted by Brigadier Hoskin. The Auckland police authorities have received a telegram from Constable Joyce, relative to the fatal boating accident at Pahi, reported in our columns yesterday. It appears that the boat, a flat-bottomed punt, got swamped. Michael Murray, the man drowned, was a gumdigger. Constable is at present searching for the bodie3 of Mrs Cooper and Murray. The anniversary entertainment in connection with the Unsectatian Church will be held in St. George's Hall ou Tuosday evening next. Refreshments will be provided.

The Bank of New Zealand declaration of goldpurehases states that during February 187 ozs. of gold won in the Borough, and 317 ozs. from the County, were purchased at the local branch. At the meeting sf the Borough Co.mcil last night the following letier was read from Mr N. Prentice : " Before giving a detailed explanation of how an electric tramway scheme for the Thames should be carried out, may I ask you to intimate whether or not you would entertain the question of granting a concession for the construction of an electric tramway, should the conditions I might offer meet your views, As I have given tho question some consideration, and as the conditions ara favorable, particularly the fact of there being only one main thoroughfare, I would ask you togivo the question your favorable consideration." — On the motion of Cr Comer, seconded ,by Cr Scott, tho matter was referred to the General Purposes Committee. Quality tells. For style, quality, variety, and durability, the splendid ranges of new dress goods cannot be surpassed—Court's Beehive Stores. Popular cash prices.— [Advt.]

Dress Goods—Our " Quueu" Coatings, Serges, and Cheviots are unequalled; dye perfect; wear guaranteed. In blacks and navysfrom 10s odthe dress. Geo. Culleu and Co, Pollen street and Cochrane street—[Advt. Ladie3 will find the most charming and dainty jackets and capes, for autumn wear, at Court's Beehive Stores,— [Advt.] Clotu and felt braided under-skirts, j splendid variety, Court's. Popular cash prices. Beehive, Pollen street.—[Advt.] Exquisite desigus in fancy black dre3s goods, the best selection iv town to choose from. Call and riew them at Court's, the cash draper, Pollen street. —[Advt.] Pianofobtes carefully tun«d for 7b 6d periodical visits at reduced rates. J. Geioo j Tiiamets Music "Warehouße, Pollen street.—! [Advt.

' At about 12 o'clock last night, Constable MuNamara, -who -was on duty in Auckland, near Queen street wharf, received information that a man was drowning at the Railway Wharf, He ran round to that wharf and found that some seamen from the barque Devonport ■were bringing a man ashore in a boat in an unconscious condition. .The constable sent for Dr Hooper, and in the meantime efforts were used to resuscitate the man. On Dr Hooper's arrival, after examining the man, he ordered his removal to the Hospital. The person rescued has not yut been identified, further than that there is an entry in his pocket-book of the name of " John Rian." At latest accounts he was still lying at the Hospital in an unconscious condition. He appears to be a man of from 25 to 30 years.

In a recent issue it was stated in a cable ] message from Adelaide that the remains of two persons had been found, and it was supposed they were the two missing members of the Calvert Expedition. A cable received today states that conflicting evidence of identity has been obtained, and it points to the remains being those of two prospectors, instead of the explerers. The search for the missing members of the Calvert Expedition is still being continued. Blankets—Our 19s 6d are All Wool Colonial Twill Blanket, full size, wear guaran'eod, is the berft value obtainable for money, Geo. Cullen and Co—[Advt]

Macintoshes—The very best and only reliable makes kept in stock. Our 60s Gent's Macintosh, with extra deep Cape, is double sewn throughout, and guaranteed thoroughly waterproof. Geo. Cullen and Co, Cochrane street and Pollen street [Advt]

Umbrellas— Another Shipment just to hand, at our well-known cash prices. Goo. Cullen and Co—[Advt] The question of to-day, How can I make money ? One way is to buy your winter j drapery from Court's Beehive Stores. All goods at lowest cash prices, Hence, money saved is money gained. ~-[Advt.] . the season, blankets and Flannels, from colonial mills, are selling at lowest cash prices at Court's Beehive Stores, Pollen street.—[Advt.] '■'-'■ '