1878-09-14 — Page 5

No. 4742,-SEPTEMBER 14, 1878.]

Er is intended to have two days' Aquatic Sports at the Victoria Repreation Club, and members are invited to enter their names for the various contents. A subscrip. tfon list has also been opened to provide a prize to be contested for by the Artillery, 74th Highlanders, and Police, This-pro. gramme should result in some good sport,

..

AT the Marine Court to-day, Thomas Paart, Harry Andrews, William Jones, Charles

Walker, and August Linstrom, soamen British barque Balcarry were charged with refusal of duty. The defendants, it sp pears, refused to go in the ship if the mate was not direkarged. The mate only jolnod on Tuesday last, and bad received $30 ad vance; the Captain said he was willing to dissbarge the mate providing the men would agree to pay this $30, and they ex- pressed their willingness to do

سعد

49.

W

Tas following items are from the Singapore Daily Times:--

Information has been received that a gang of housebreakers, who are masters of their craft apparently, have lately come horo from Honguong, Residents should be on theic gaard.

It appears that our new Colonial Secre tary, the Hon. Cecil C. Smith, will not be hero so soon as he was expected. It ap. pears that the Singapore-owned schooner Flower of Yarrow, trading betwoon Labuan and Sulu, got into diffienities in 1870 with the Spanish authorities, or rather was in terfered with by them in its legitimate trado, and its then owner, Captain Ross, has preferred a claim for damages against the Spanish Government. To settle this and other disputes with the Spanish in the Sula seas, and probably also to have a look at Sabah, Mr. Smith has, according to a telegram received this morning (Sept. 3rd), been appointed a Commissioner to proceed to Manila to confer with the Spanish We understand that the Governor has authorities. He is, therefore, not likely Issued a Commission, appointing four gen- to arrive here till the middle of October. tlemen to inquire into the accounts of the Power has sold his mansion and grounds at The North Wilts Herad says that Major Supreme Court, as we suggested some time Parton for about £11,000 to Rajah Brooke, alace ought to be done. The Commission is it being his intention to reside near London The Hon. H. Trotter, Acting Treasurer- composed as follows:-Hon. C. May, Asting General, has, we are informed, been special Colonial Secretary; Hon. G. Phillippo, ly deputed by H. E, the Governor to pro- Attorney General; Mr A. Lind, and Mrced to Malaces to inquire into the circum. W. Wotton. As a professional accountant stances attending the disappearance of the registered letter respecting which a criminal is now engaged upon the accounts referred charge was made against the Postmaster to, some light must in time be shed on this there and afterwards withdrawn. official chhor.

ble.

THE CHINA MAIL.

SEMPER FIDELIS.”

Widespread and well-known as lightning conductors are, as often we find erroneous impressions as to their working and object of their construction. Above all the opinion, that the lightning conductor is used to allow the lightning to strike it, has met us hundred times ever, and as regards const tion, why in fthenish-Prussia alone he found dozens of churches and other public edifices which team with neatly insulated rods, and at the head of these drolly steeds the old philosophical centre of the Rhein. The facetious spirit of nooident often loves to attach just these errors to the gravest institutions which least become them in the eyes of the savant; take, for instance, the bronze fountain right in front of the Paris Observatory upon which four Genti (in spite of Leverrier's despairing protestations) turn the globe from east to west.

1

A person

munication with the ground from the point Thirdly: An uninterrupted metallic com- right to the lower end should exist, a condi- tion conformity with which is essential. It is easy to ascertain with the assistance of a galvanio stream whether the requirement is fully met or not.

Fourthly:-The point must be sharp and durable. The latter may be attained by gilding or the application of platina for the point

Dead Letters.^.

kong,... llen, Mrs., Woodside, Essex, finissemen Alton. Captain S. 8. Golden Horn, Alvares, Pedro Stos y Letram No. §.

Hongkong

Rangoons

Amansen, H., Lile Vongmans gaden No.

14. Christiania,.. Barkor, G., Temperance Hall, Hong

kong,... Barnes, our of Oriental Hotel....... Boll, Mrs. F. H., Hotel Monrice, Paris... Breton, Captain, Schooner Hail Columbia,

Hongkong.

Botalbe, Da. Balbina, Hongkong, ********* Bikeley, Captain, 28, Coventry Street,

London,.....

Canham, Mr., Cold Harbour Lane, Lon

dan.

Gobb, Mrs., 7, Island Street, East India

Road, London, Content, S. C., Peru, Indiana, U. 9. A., Coulvis, A., Rue Lafayette, No. 180,

Paris,. Craig, Mrs., Florence Road, New Croas, Crimmin, Mrs., 11, Eden Place, Hoston, Davis, J., Brynabo, Wrexham,

London, ...... Dolbol, G. B., Ship Pentheselia, Caloutte, I Dunckley, Mary A., 122, Orchard Street,

London,

New York,

S Á.....

Boston, U. S. A......

Eriksen, Emma Faribault, Minasota, U. Forrest, Mrs., E. L., 67, Tylor Street, Graudia, Mrs., 14, Edward Street, Bow,

London,.... Ghose,, C., 48, Baugbarar, Caloutta Harrison, T. W., Post Office, Hobart

Town.....

Howell, G. H., Kensington Park, Lon-

don,.......

Soho, London, ........................

mere,..

Ir is reported that the libel case given boot given to Mr Carvalho, of the Treasury tion, whatever of the real properties of a and positive upon that which is turned away points such as above described and electric against the Amoy Gazette some time since a solatium, wo presume, for bís dis- lightning conductor appears in them, I from it. The body becomes doubly electric, sparks to a length of 0 feet have been Abbott, Captain, Bargao Parmenio, Hang-

would ask a portion of your valuable space in front negative and behind positive obtained at the disjointings. The making has been referred back to the Governor of appointment anent the Treasurership. We to give the public a translation of an artfele if the latter be connected with the earth by of the experiment cost Reichmann, a St. Macao for re-consideration, and that the are rather doubtful as to the wisdom of upon the subject, from the pen of a well- a good leader, the positive electricity will be Petersburg aavant, his life: le imprudently known German professor, which lately east off into the earth; the negative remains placed himself in such a position that hi feeling of the Amoyites is that the judg. this latter nomination, but are altogether caught my eye in the columns of the Cologne as it is attracted by the positive electricity head was brought into the way of the inter- ment will be reversed. We cannot say ignorant concerning Mr Carvalho's aptness Gazette. In doing so, however, I, herewith, of the sunductor. Therefore upon any ruption; a spark struck him and he was whether this is altogether true, but it is or otherwise, so that before dogmatizing submit my most unqualified disavowal of conductor, whatsoever, negative olcotricity killed on the spot.

If one now set up a pointed conductor of freely alleged to be so in Amoy.

wo must awaita fiory ordeal which it is any motives, which may be attributed to places itself of its own accord opposite any.

me, of boing prompted by a desire to vaunt positivo ladon body and vice versa. An en- the above description upon a house, ono hoped may never come. Nothing le yet the soundness of my own knowledge, and deavour exists between both to balanoo each has the ordinary lighting conductor. Ita known as to the future Colonial Secretary, declare that I simply wish to help to dispel other, every charged body strives to impart working is, after what has abuve been an erroneous belief and give information electricity to all surrounding conductors, written, easy of comprehension without fur- whose advent will bring most if not all of which, if not oxaatly a boon to society in This distribution is greatly simplified by tier comment; in order that it be reliable it. the acting appointments above enumerated general in the colony, may at least prove connecting the loaded body with others must satisfy the following requirements:-

useful if permitted to initiate its more com by means of good leaders, viz, metallic Firstly-Its downmost end must rezoh to nought.

plete protection from the very heavy storme wires, &o., &c. The opposed electricities into the earth and that to a good depth, ceed in this endeavour I shall consider and become united upon it. It is another conductive, so that the electricity of the earth which at times pass over this city. If I follow up the way thus laid open to them where the ground is insessantly moist and myaolf most fully compensated for the trou- thing, though, altogether (and that is the can obtain free communication with it. For

very point at which we are driving) when a this reason it is often sunk in a well. I remain, Yours,

bad conductor (the air for instance) is pre-

Secondly:The conductor must not be sent between the two opposed electric con- allowed to rust to too great an extent in the duotors which stand opposito one another. goro wa din toatings, Imagine a positive charged ball separated planking and such like mothods are often by the atmosphere from another one, which resorted to. There is nothing against sim- has either been charged with negativo cice-ply using a metal well pipe as the lower tricity from the first or has become nega- end of a lightning conductor. tive on the side facing the other ball by the working at the handle of such a well's attraction which the latter practises upon it. pump during a storm has nothing to fear If the two opposed electricities are now to from the quiet flow of electricity through become united they must force their way the well. through the air, but, to effect this, a certain onergy is requisite and the circumstances attendant upon the acquiring of the same vary according to the forms of the clectrified bodies. If the forms be round ones, the electric attraction aims first of all to effect the gathering of the electricities upon that particular part of sack separate body which is turned towards the other. If they are sufficiently far apart the electricities of the two bodies remain in status quo; if they be brought nearer together the condensation Fifthly:--The entire conducting appara A short lecture upon lightning conductors, and attraction of electricities augment, and tus must be thick enough to prevent the old as the theme is, would, perhaps, under at last. they reach that point where the flows of electricity from creating a percepti

electria tension is strong enough to force its ble warmth. The ordinary iron-rod and these circumstances, destroy much pre-way through the air; the entire amount of copper wire-rope are usually euticient to veived opinion and to which we make free electricity, or at any rate the greater part satisfy this requirement. to solicit the attention of our friendly of it, quits the surface of the badies with a Sixthly-Experience must decide how pool. readers. Lightning is an electric discharge, shook in order to become united together: far and wide the protesting influence of a the lightning conduotor an instrument in- tended to modify the same; in order to under-the discharge is productive of a sudden conductor reaches, and if found necessary to stand its working we must examine into the spark which penetrates the air with a rat- render a comparatively large surface saie

tling sound.

the number of points should be accordingly circumstances attendant upon an electric It is different, however, when the charged increased. According to the calculations of discharge. There are two adverse electrici- bodies present each other cornered and point-Arago one reckons a conducting rod of three What they are is not known; weed forms. Under such circumstances the metres to a circumference of lo feet diam. may, however, picture them to ourselves as electricity would accumulate upon the If the protection of large buildings be re- being two extremely fine fluids. The one is protruding corners & and into the small quisite care must be taken to provide several called positive electricity, the other negative room which they afford, the energies would feaders to the ground. Positive and negative electricity attract one concentrate themselves to such a degree, another, negative and negative repel each that the electricities, if only gathered in other, as also do positive and positive. All small quantities, would then pass off into known bodies act as though in their ordinary the air. Consequently not a single spark is condition they contained a large quantity of formed to load off the entire quantity of positive and a precisely equivalent amount electivity, but a more as less equal outpour of negative electricity, both equally distri- takes place. If the points and corners are buted throughout the whole body; as the not over airy, if they present small round opposed quantities of these electricities are protrusions, this outpour takes place by fits pletely neutralize each other; what the one in the dark one observes pearl like flashes, attracts the other repels; and thus an ordin-now and again with an accompaniment of ary body remains neutral, it shows neither sparks, which point out the course of the a preponderance of positive nor of negative disaharge into the air. If, on the other qualities. However, by the aid of various hand, the bodies have sharp and sufficiently processos (for instance, by friction) these long points, the electricity finds a quiet and Edward Fisher, a commission agent, electricities can be separated from one smooth outlet through sagh, without noise, appeared to answer a summous for shooting another, and it is possible that an overplus presenting in the dark & weak and noiseless a rooster, the property of one Pang Hou, of one of the two electricities may accumulate oluster of sparks. If one place, for instance, It appears that on the 12th instant at half upon a body. Such a body is tormed sleo a sewing needle upon the conductor of an past 2 o'clock defendant fired at one of the trio: should it contain a positive overplus electric machine, it is not possible to draw complainant's fowls and killed it. Com the properties of positive electricity would anything like a strong spark from the plainaut asked him why he did so, and make themselves apparent; whilst if it code same; the entire charge disappears through defen-ant replied that it made too much tain a negative overplus, it would evive the needle. This is nut, however, only the noise Defendant admitted having shot those of negative electricity. More especi-consequence of its being placed immediately the fowl as it was a great nuisance to the ally in the case of two bodies loaded in apon the conductor. If opposite positive neighbourhood. It bad, he said, been crow-direct opposition to each other is to be ob-laden conductor another leader stands which ing for nine months beneath his window, served the attraction which the opposed is connected with the ground, the latter will He (defendant) had repeatedly warned the electricities practise upon one another, the become negative, as already explained. If complainant of the nuisance, and the only bodies themselves even appear to draw caol it be provided with a point, the negative reply he got was that as the houses were other together, and further the existing electricity will stream out through it into Chinese property and a Chinese Street a overpluses upon them strive to become the air, fy to the conductor and unite itself foreigner had no business to live in the united; if a negative laden ball be brought with its positive electricity. The working neighbourhood. His Worship told defend into the vicinity of a positive' laden one, of a point placed opposite a conductor is, ant that he had on right to take the law the electricities of both rash tagether and therefore, so far as the ultimate result is into his own hande; he could have informed become united in the air. Their passage concerned, just the same as that of one the Inspector of Nuisances. He fiued bim through the air appears luminous; it repre-erected; if a man, with a needle in his $1.50), and advised him not to do the like sents the so-called electric spark, and a slight hand, place himself opposite the conductor again, at the same time telling complainant report gives knowledge of the fact that the of un electric machine it is also impossible that he had no right to allow his fowls to occurrence is accompanied by a short con- to draw sparks out of the latter; the needle roams about the streets, as they might enter cussion of the air. In such kind of sparks disobarges it, since it noiselessly sends it the other people's houses.

the union of a certain quantity of positive, opposite electricity. with an exactly corresponding quantity of

And this fanation is just that which on a negative electricity always takes place, trality (equilibrium) between the united tined to perform. By some unknown means quantities is re-established: they become alectric charges are produced in storm clouds. effective since the ons annuls the working As a rule they are distributed in zones of the other. Therefore, in the oase of two streaks with predominant positive barges

Police Intelligence. (Before C. V. Crough, Esq.)

September 14, 1878.

ties.

In these,

THE sudden change in the weather will doubtless be welcomed by all. It was necessary to sleep with closed windows leat night, and the presence of Tweede was ABAULT BY A SIXH CONSTABLE OF HIS WIFE, Badji Mahomed, (Sikh Constable No. noticeable to-day. In this "typhoonish”

63) was charged on remand with assaulting latitude, however, every change in the wis wife, Inspector Cradock said that he weather is apt to create alarm, but it is to und falled to find the servant boy who was be hoped we may now get through this said to have been in the house at the time exactly equal, their outward workings com- and starts, causing a crackling sound, and without due regard to same, there always Thomas, E... 22, Kynaston Place,

the assault was committe, although he had offered a reward. The defendant slooted to be tried at the ensulag sessions, and was committed for trial.

year without having to obroniels another salamity like that we experienced in 187, or our Canton friends did in 1878. We should like to see that ges-wall completed, however, as it would make ose feel more comfortable, especially so regards those who live in the neighbourhood of the beach.

Ir will not be unacceptable news for the public to know that Mr Price has, at his own request, returned to his duties at the bead of the Survey Department-probably the most important department of the Government at the present time and under the existing regime of radical changes and Improvements. Mr Prico has been ill spared from his own proper sphere for months back, partly owing unfortunately to the indifferent health of his recond in command, who has been acting with praise. worthy perseverano as Survey: General daring Mr Price's absence at the Colonial Senretarist, and partly from the fact that so many public works are new "auder

baideration."{

The changes consequent upon the accept- ance, of Mr Price's resignation are some- what numerous, and a few of these we have already notified. It may not, however, be

AHOOTING GAME.

TO-DAY'S FINES,

U.S. A.....

Swansea,

Hunt, Miss N., P. O., Greek Street, Jackson, Mrs., P. O., Portland, Organ,... 1 Jones, Miss E., 7, Sussex Street, Liver- Jurgens, H., Munohen, Germany Lorge, F., 165, Central Avenue, Balti Low, J, Barque Tai Vatt, Singapore,... Lull, Captain, Ship Cri erion, New York; 1 Lannon, Mrs., 11, India Row, Poplar,

London,........

siname 2 Mahomedally, Karimahomed, Kutch,

india,......

I MeVyar, Mary, 85, Natoma Street, Bag Lastly:-The conductive substances which Milne, Captain, Bark urore, Hongkong,

Francisco... are in, on and upon the buildings, such as

Oven, W., 28, Luis Strast, Toxteth rain gutters, gas and water-pipes, zino roofs,

Liverpool,...i &o., must be taken into nascunt. electricity also accumulates from the storm Proeten, Mre. C. F., Stockton Street, slouds passing over them; they also present San Francisco, means of conduction which tempt the light- Radera, S. von, Wilna, Germany...... ning to follow them. II, therefore, a light-Stübner & Paul, Halberstadt, Germany, ning conductor be erected upon & house Sullivan, T., East Cambridge, Boston, exist in these, small sources of danger in its vicinity, though it is true that the pre- sence of the conductor itself prejudices Van der Zee, Nierendip their workings. In order to completely Vigesn, 3. de, Paris,... effect the removal of this danger, they Walker, S., Messageries Maritimes, should be brought into communication with the conductor by means of metallic leaders, Wellmar, H., Hongkong Hotel, Hong-

kong, both. from top and bottom, and it must not he supposed, that in so doing a channel for the lightning into the house itself is opened up; on the contrary the accumulation of electricity in or upon them, finde an outlet either upwards into the air or downwards into the ground. They only present a slight danger when trouble is taken to isolate the conductor from them, and that often happens in our midst as remarked at commencement. Fortunately as a rule these isolations are so utterly worthless (especially in rain, that they have little or no weight with the eleo- trio energies which here come into play. The electric charging of storm alouds often names about very quickly, so quickly in fast that the best lightning conductor cannot always neutralise the speedily enough there also exists a particular kind of light- ning, the so-called ball lightning, which moves remarkably slow and is obeisant to the most complicated restrictions, as in the instance of zigzag" (forked) lighting which often succeeds in striking the earth. It is, therefore, always possible and some- times happens, that a lightning conductor is struck by lightning. In such instances the

Tein Aklog, bawking without a license. which union complete the condition of nen- large scale the lightning conductor is des- lightning conductor still works as an excel-

Fined 20 cents.

Lau A-It, a night soil coolie, depositing night soil in an improper place. Fined $8. Chan Ashing, master of a rubbish-boat,

into the harbour. Fined $5.

considered uninteresti g if we give the list neglecting his duty and throwing rubbish bodies laden in direct opposition to each form themselves, and amongst thera others proofs of the efficacy of lightning conductors.

Un Akum, a water carrier, opening a hydrant with a private key. Fined $10.

Leung Aping, a blacksmith, unlawful possession of some copper bolts, the property of the Hongkong and Whampoa Doak Com pany. Fined $20.

OORRESPONDENCE.

EXPENSE NO OBJECT.

To the Editor of the "CHINA MAIL."

Hongkong, Sept. 14, 1878 BIB-I have heard it suggested that the new Wall in Wyndham Street is a mistake; that it is ugly, expensive, and much too strong, if strength be a failing. However this may

lent protector, inasmuch, as it presents the electricity with the contse most easy of adoption. Such occurrences are often made public in Miscellaneous News as authentic

But they only publish such exceptions, ther true and regular and, therefore, much more important defensive-working of the condue- tor which comes into play in every storm, the quiet outpour or electricity, obtains mention in no newspaper, for the simple reason that it is perceived by no one. goes so far, to, for a time, to exhaust a moderate storm passing over a town well equipped with lightning conductors as ws assured of having remarked, and to cause it to make a perceptible pause, before reaching its old intensity.

Saigon.....

White, G., Surveyor General's Office,

Hongkong,....

Wilson, James, Post Office, Ontario,

Canada Wost....

Youl, George, U. S. 3. Saint Louis,

Longne Island, Pauna., U. S. A........... 1 Tue above lotters have been rotuzgod from various places at which the addresson cannot be fund. If not olsimod within en duya they will be opened and returned w the writers.

General Post Office, Hongkong, 13th September, 1878.

>PIUM

F1

量

Quotations.

UNGBONG, September 14, 1878,

Now Patna, esah....$605 a 607) credit,

wwww

Old Patna, cash,... 570 a 872)

oradit,→→

Now Benares, cash,

credit, Fons

Old Benares, cash, 540 e 5424 credit,

Now Malwa, cath, 758 a'775 credit, 760 780

SA

allowanos Taals, 13 24

Old Malwa, cash,

aredity-

Allowance Taels, min

Exchange.

***

+ 8/8 *** ... 8/22 8,91 Max 80

Bank, on demand, ...

30 days' sight, 6 months' right, It redita,

Documentary: 6months right, 8/8 Bombay, demand Rupees, Jaloutta, shanghai, demand,

30 days',... English Sovereigns, In conclusion we will give mention to a Australian Sovereigas, most peculiar lightning conductor, under das 917, 17, dwis, B., whose protection one of our most important ycee, instruments of commerce enjoys a remark. Mexicans,

THI

dad *** 223

..

B

**

.78%

5.32 ...0.82

109

414 DEA

***

414 149 *

...8%

counted. 27.10

..

8 to 9 p.

Shares.

•

other, when a spark passes over from the with predominant negative, appear. The one to the other, an analogona quantity of moist earth stands opposite the cloads: complete. Mr May, then, will act as Colo-

electricity on both is made imperceptible. below the positive spots negativa electricity nial Secretary and Auditor General; Mr

The spark indicates that a discharge has collects in the earth and vice versa. The moist condition of the air is, it is easy to taken place. Prios taking over from Mr C. C. Smith the

The known bodies may be separated into understand, easily changeable, through ad- duties of Colonial Treasurer, in addition

two classes according to their resistance of mixture of rain it becomes more easily con- electrio energy-firstly, good and secundly, conductive, first in the one direction and to his own as Surveyor General. The

bad conductors; there also exist, indifferent then in the other; the clouds hang more or appointment of Mr May may fairly be re-

ones. Ranking first amongst good con- leas low and the opposed laden parts are garded as a graceful compliment to one of

ductors may be mentioned metals; fairly more or less wide apart from one another. From this we deduce the possibility of the good ones: water and moist substances; as the oldest servants of the Colony, while

also, men and animals. In them electricity positive electricity of a cloud sometimes this officer's experience of Hongkong and its

works without meeting with much resistance combining itself with the negative of another crime, extending as it does over a period

and without the exercise of any very intense and sometimes with that of the earth. In working upon thexa, so long as the transport the first instance it is harmless, in the second of thirty-four years, must prove helpful to

of disproportionate bodies of electricity be it strikes heavily Its working are on a the Government in the consideration of

not implied; one will only observe, on large scale precisely those evinced in the ably intense safety, whilst being itself doid Lot, the numerous quesitons, as to orime and

every socasion when electricity passes artificial spark : it followe out metal leaders greatly exposed to the dangers of lightning Discount, ...

A travelling railway-train Terminals in this Colony, now awaiting bo, a less massive structure would have an- through a good conductor, a heating of the with strong preference, warme the substances in general.

swered the purpose; and the saving in cost same, the intensity of which depends upon through which it passes, melts wires if thin, (especially the locomotive) presents a con- ** final nettlement. - Mr J. J. Francis takes would have been better laid out in the the speed with which its passage is per-beate bad conductors which it strikes (ofte siderable conductive substance, which is

the nest on the magistrates' bench no slums of Tai ping shan, or in more attention formed. Rather bad conductors are dry very heavily), splinters and este them on fire, often enough astir during a storm in the Caloa Ina, Bosiety of Canton, 61,600 - Long occupied by Mr May; but into the drains in the neighbourhood of the weeds and stones, very bad are glass, porce- and kills animal life by excessive-ezsite open deids, as well as upon rateed causas ways, and under such circumstances a tempta Bath House. In fact, a little less of the lain, resin, bair and silk and a dry stanos-ment of the nervous system. view of Bir John Smale's speedy return ornamental, in public works, and a little phere. If the last were a goedkoonductor Let us now imagine to ourselves, a metal ing opportunity for being struck by light. to bis duties as Chief Justige, this more of the useful would be appreciated by we should never observe any accumulation rod sunk in the moist earth and extended coning. And yet such an odourrence is almost of electricity, whatever, upon the earth's far in an upward direction as to protrude of unprecedented rarity. The onusa may appointment will necessarily be of shorter others besides

Youre &c.,

enrface, since the air would immediately beyond the earth's surface and overtop lie in the smoke column omitted by the duration than the others. At the

enntil it. In bad conductors, electricity adjacent surroundings, with its upper end locomotive, Flames and clouds of steam lame time, without reflecting in the

moves with difficulty and in very bad ones made pointed. If a positive laden oloud work like points; they admit of electricty. E, & M. 8 -boat Co., 813 % promi only with much obstruction. If therefore, hovere above it, the negative electricity of pouring cut into the air through their me lightest upon the efficiency of Air Creagh, THE LIGHTNING CONDUCTOE.

We surround an electrio charged body with the moist earth will rych to the point of this aint with uncommon ease. The conduction the acting Junior Magistrate (who appears To the Editor of the "CHINA MAIL." bad conductors (if we insulate it) the elec- conductor and then discharging itself into into the ground takes place by way of the to perform his work on the Bench quistly Sia, The heavy thunderstorm a few trinity collected upon it can, for a time, bo the air, doirelessly unite itself with the eles raile which, even though they are not and carefully, in addition to his duties as months since is doubtless still in the retained. If a tolerably quick movement of tricity of the glaud and neutralise it. As a actually embedded in the ground are, never Coroner), as think it is not unwise to memories of your readers, and the several electricity tour in a bad conductor, rolurile no lightning whatever will be produced thelers, spread over an immense tract of articles which have of late appeared in your tively considerable electric energy is rein the near vicinity of the rod, but the dit: the same, and are thus capable of taking up strengthen the Bench from the ranks of wolumns on telegraphy, lightning conductors quisite and comparatively strong influencer charge will merely take the form of a quiet insuloulable quantities of electricity from the Bar, especially when no eligible Govern- and electricity in general, derived from are brought to hear upon the body itself: it outpouring. The existence during a storm the earth, without much diflculty. A various reliable sources, have recalled to gets intensely hot, besomes glowing, shat of the said outpouring can easily be proved rallway train, therefore, carries its own ment servant could be obtained without my mind discussions on the subject whick tared &0&o. Let us now imagine an by a simple but not exactly advisable ex lightning conductor with it. considerable inconvenience to the public, took place in social oiroles here in my pre-electric charged body (say the conductor of periment for everyone: if one caure and in- Me Deane and Me Lister are the only two sunce, about the time of the above-mentioned an electrio-machine set up in the midst of terruption in the set by arranging a joint in Denise the twelve months ending 50th

ground, storm, and in which I myself took part and bad conductor, the air for instance, it; at a suitable distance from the civil servants who, in our opinion, could ventured a few remarks, amongst them the and sinne, in this case, the kind of charge he would observe the pange of the second-April, 1678, 399,000 tons were dredged out satisfactorily full the reasonable expesta assertion, that lightning conductors are not le not of particular moment, we will ing (in one example negative) electricity of the harbour of Lyttelton at a diet of Oppo the interspace thas created. At the time filling up the new wharves and other in tions of the community; but each of these erected for the purpose of "attracting light take it for granted that the conducter is the earth, in a rich stream of sparks through 70303 the buff taken otit was used in

ning" which assertion, however, produced charged with positive electricity. officers ocouples a special position four no small amount of astonishment in those site it we place a good conducting body. when Franklin first discovered the electric proveseats that are being carried out.

As a wile Was holding her husband's monthe absence from which would not be present, but, upon my going on to add, that The latter, as aforesaid, contains both elec properties of a storm, and when Natural Auckland Herald.

lightning conductor being struck by light triuities in equal quantities and both Philosophers, following up the course indi calculated to improve the service of the sing proves it to be a faulty one, sinde & equally distributed. As shown above the eated by him, busied themselves with the sabing head in her hands one morning, nue Colony. The appointment of Superlaten really good conductor will never be struci, positive electricity of the conductor attracts theory of Lightning Conductors, this experis asked, Are a man and bis wife one I dent of the Fire Brigade, formerly held by a plicous smile was the reward of my arm the negative, of this body, whilst repelling ment was multifariously goils through and ppose to," said the husband. "Then,

its positive electricity, concequently nega that on a great sale, it was shown on rejoined the wife, I came home drunk conviction of being in the right. Mir Diey, will devolve upon, Mr Oreagh

Heving carefully perused the shove mene tive electricity collects in over-abundance there occasions that during a storm, tre last night, and ought to be ashamed of labile thist of Aselstent Euperintendent has fired critics and fading that an gapiens. I upon that side turned towards the conductor mendous meses of electricity worm farongh myself."

j

GROWLER.

Hongkong Bank, id % pram.

Oklas Traders' Ins. Co., $1,075" Tangtase Ins. Assoc., Tla. 718 Chinese Insurance Co., $888 North Chine Ina, Oo, T. 1,233

.. Fire Ins. Co., $950 China Fire Ins. Co., $948 H.K. & W. Dock Co., §24 % prem. Shanghai Staam Navigation, The 40 China Coast St. av. Co., Tla. 103 Hongkong Gas Co., 887+ Hongkong Botel Co., 385 China Sagar Refining Oo, 455 p. d. Chinese Imperial Loan, £104.

Do. of 1877, £103,

Temperatura.

(Taken at Mesors Falconer & Oils Premilaca Queen's Road.) Hoxoxoxo, September 14, 1878,

Do.

Do

BAROMETER TEHNETZEA

A

29.050

1 F......

29.920

4. P.M. HI

BO ***.

Do, Do.

1 P.Masz

F. Moje

***

78

Do, 1 F.M.

78

Do.

Do. (Wet bulb) 9 AM

Do.

↓

Do,

214

Do, Maximum

Do. Minimum over night