TEANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 893 



The illuininant used is petroleum, of Canadian production and manufacture, is 

 double distilled, standard white, extra refined, free from acid or other impurities, 

 weighs, at 02° Fahr., not less than 7 '85 lbs. nor more than 802 lbs. per gallon, and 

 withstands a flash test of 115° Fahr. by the new standard pyrometer. The quantity 

 used per annum is about 100,000 gallons, pnd the price is 20 cents per gallon. 



The number of light-stations in Canada with fixed lights is 467, and with 

 revolving lights 82, making altogether 549 on December 31, 1883. 



The number of persons employed by the Government to attend to these lights 

 is 656, and the salaries paid to them range from #80 to #1,500 per annum. The 

 salaries allowed keepers of sea-coast lights range from #300 to #500, and there are 

 many applicants for these situations. Keepers of lights are usually appointed on 

 the recommendation of the member of the House of Commons representing the 

 district in which the lighthouse is situated, if he is a supporter of the Government. 



The expansion of the lighthouse system of Canada during the last seventeen 

 years has been very great. In 1867, when the four provinces were confederated, 

 there were 198 lighthouse stations in the Dominion, and two fog-whistles, and at 

 the close of this season there will be 569 light-stations, 36 fog-alarms, and 10 

 automatic whistling buoys. 



Nearly all the principal lights in the river and Gulf of St. Lawrence have been 

 connected with Quebec and other cities by telegraph, and in the event of a wreck 

 taking place or any other accident, it is immediately made known to the Govern- 

 ment and to the boards of trade at Montreal and Quebec. The cost of our 

 telegraph and signal service has been large, but it is a most useful expenditure. 



As compared with the United Kingdom, our coast to be lighted is larger, and 

 our lights more numerous although not of so high a class or so expensive. The 

 number of lights managed by the three lighthouse authorities of the United Kingdom, 

 viz., the Trinity House of London, the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses, 

 and the Commissioners of Irish Lights, is 288, some of these being probably the 

 finest in the world. In addition to these there are about 140 lights, managed by 

 harbour or dock authoiities, making altogether about 428. The cost of maintaining 

 the 288 lighthouses managed by the three bodies referred to, including the main- 

 tenance of the sailing and steam vessels to attend on them, was 303,830/. for the 

 year ended March 31, 1883. 



The amount of light dues collected in the United Kingdom during the year 

 1833-4 was 476/. lis. 6d. sterling. In Norway there are 132 lights, maintained 

 by the Government, which cost #157,000 last year. 



2. Improvements in Coast Signals; with supplementary Remarks on the 

 new Eddystone Lighthoxise. By Sir James N. Douglass, M.Inst.C.E. 

 — See Reports, p. 584. 



3. The Watt and Horse-Power. By W. H. Preece, F.E.S. 



4. Secondary Batteries. By W. H. Pkeece, F.E.S. 



5. Domestic Electric Lighting. By W. H. Pkeece, F.B.S. 



6. The Portrush Electric Railway. By Dr. A. Teaill. 



7. Electric Tramways. By Holeotd Smith. 



8. A New Vult-Meter. By Captain Caedew. 



