ELECTRIC LIGHT ON THE GOLDFIELD.

Kumara Times, Issue 2024, 23 February 1883, Page 2

ELECTRIC LIGHT ON THE GOLDFIELD.

A public meeting was held afc Mr Peters ? Hotel, Dill man’s Town, last evening the object of which was to lay before the miners the practicability and desirability of introducing the electric light on this goldfield, and so to enable those of them who were sluicing to work their claims by night. Messrs James and George R. Wylde attended the meeting for the aforesaid purpose. The room was full. Mr John White was voted to the chair. The Chairman said he would not detain them by making any introductory remarks. They had met to discuss the practicability of the scheme more than anything else. He would call upon Mr Wyide to give some explanation of its working. Mr Jas. Wylde said he would like to make a few remarks. The electric light might be introduced here with great benefit to the community. It was well known that the sludge-channel did not supply the wants of this place; and if any means could be introduced by which its usefulness could be increased, be thought it was their duty and privilege to adopt them. The electric light had now been brought to such perfection that night as far as a' given area was concerned could be made as light as day. It was probable that all of those who were present knew something about the electric light; they had read about it probably ; but this evening they would be afforded an opportunity of hearing a few details as regards its applicability to this goldfield. Reefton was about to supply all the town with electric light, and he believed it would be the only town in the whole world entirely so lit up at night. With regard to this goldfield the days were getting shorter, and the light would be of great service. Looking at the scale of fees charged per statute head per week for water, they would find these were much less for water used by night than by day; and this difference alone would defray the cost of electric lighting their claims. Although perhaps miners might not now resolve to adopt the new light, they might do so at some future day. He would introduce to the meeting his son Mr George R. Wylde, who had of of late made the subject his special study. Mr George R Wylde, addressing the Chairman and gentlemen said : He was pleased to see so many present. There were two systems for electric lighting—the arc system, and the incandescent system : by the former they could have one light to light the whole field ; and by the incandescent system was implied the smaller lights which could be usefully adopted to light tail-races and the sludge-channel; they were permanent lights. The current of electricity was regulated by a dynamo machine, which would be driven by water. A 2000 candle arc light would illuminate a radius of 300 yards. A great advantage with respect to the electric light is that it gives out no heat, and consumes no oxygen. The British Government compelled its use now in all the mines in the Home country on account of its safety. A mine at Sandhurst, in Victoria, was using it, and the company saved £l5O a year by it. It was also used at Ballarat, and the Lyttelton Harbour Board were adopting it for that port. The machine itself would only occupy a space of about three square feet; and it could stand at the bottom of a paddock. As regards the cost; supposing one party took a 2000-candle arc light, that would cost £l5O to £l7O, and 2d an hour would be all the cost afterwards. A twohorse power turbine, with three-quar-ters of a head of water would be sufficient to drive it; but the water was no consideration, as that could be again utilised for the claim, and the machine would last a lifetime. If, however, three or four parties were to join, a machine with a 6000-candle light could be erected at a cost of, say for three claims, £230 ; but if each claim had a light of their own it would cost them £9O each. A machine to light ten claims, each with a 2000-candle lamp, would cost £6OO, or £6O only for each claim. The cost, therefore, would be according to the number of claims joining in any one machine. Mr Wylde concluded by stating that he had studied the subject for several years, and was thoroughly up in its working. The Chairman remarked that it had given him much pleasure to hear Mr Wylde, there were many things about about the electric light which had been cleared up. The advantage of its introduction on this field had been made manifest. He believed parties who wished to use the electric light at niylit would clear the cost in three months by the difference in the cost of the

water and candles. He would like to ask Mr Wylde about lighting the sludge-channel; he believed it would be a great advantage in cost to light the sludge-channel, and he thought action in this matter should be taken at once. Mr Wylde said there was nothing simpler than lighting the sludge-chan-nel; it could be done for about .£4OO, including everything. The incandescent lamps cost only 6s each. He considered the Government would save the cost in candles alone, whilst the light emitted would be immensely superior to candles. The incandescent lamps have been proved to last 3000 hours. If the miners would bring the matter under the notice of the Government, he felt sure it would be only too glad to adopt the system. Mr Jas. Wylde remarked that immediately the dynamo machine was started all the lamps were at once lighted. There was much time at present occupied by the miners in replacing candles and carrying them about. The Chairman inquired if branch lights for the tail-races could be lighted as from the sludge-channel wires, Mr G. R. Wylde: Yes; one machine would answer for the sludge-channel and all the tail-races. He might mention that the lamps were not affected by wind or rain. The wires were thoroughly coated with guttapercha, and there was no danger in using them. Mr Jas. Wylde said that as the Government would be gainers by about twice the amount of present revenue by the adoption of the electric light, he believed if the matter were properly represented to them that the Government would bear half the expense. Mr Wylde then moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman. This was seconded by Mr G. R. Wylde, and carried by acclamation. The Chairman then called for a vote of thanks to Mr G. R. Wydle, who had so clearly demonstrated the advantages of the system of electric lighting to this field. The proposal met with renewed similar approval, and the meeting terminated.