TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 251 



On a Plan for Railway Amalqamation tvith Government Control, 

 iitj \YAxmm%F.C.S. 



The author stated the objections botli to extensive amalganaations and to 

 Government purchase and management, and suggested that the evils of both could 

 be avoided, and the advantages lioped for from each secured, by blending the 

 two scliemes. Our railways should be arranged in six or more groups, and the 

 numerous classes of shares, stock, &c. in each group be reduced by a commission 

 of actuaries, partlj^ to debentures bearing a fixed interest, but the larger portion to 

 ordinary stock on which the Government should guarantee a minimum dividend. 



The majority of the Directors to be still elected by the Shareholders, but a few 

 nominated by the Board of Trade, and perhaps some by the large towns and 

 counties interested. The Directors would have a substantial motive for efficient 

 and economical management in keeping the dividend above the guaranteed 

 minimum ; but the Board of Trade would fix the tariff' both for passengers and goods, 

 and should try the experiment of greatly reduced fares. A central Council elected 

 by the various Boards of Directors, with some members selected by the Board of 

 Trade, could supervise the whole. Such a scheme would secure the following 

 advantages :^lst, the public would gain safer, cheaper, and better-arranged con- 

 veyances ; 2nd, the management of the property would still be with the Directors, 

 the majority of whom would be elected by the Shareholders ; 3rd, a vast saving 

 would result from more economical and harmonious working ; 4th, the property 

 of the Shareholder woidd always maintain a certain value ; and 5th, the public, 

 through the Government, without purchasing the railways, would have a real and 

 efficient control over the whole system, but this could not degenerate into a 

 system of patronage and jobbing. Necessary arrangements for new lines and 

 extensions are alluded to, and the author suggests that an introduction of American 

 carriages would be cheaper and safer and dispense with the necessity of signals. 



On the use of Steel Wire for Deep-sea Soundings. 

 By Prof. Sir W. Thomson, LL.D., F.E.S. 



The wire used is pianoforte wire of 22 gauge, which is less cumbersome and 

 heavy and acts with less friction than the hempen line now used. It needs not the 

 heavy mass of iron, weighing from two to four hundredweight, hitherto employed 

 to sink it, 30 lbs. being amply sufficient for sounding in 3000 fathoms. It is paid 

 out rapidly from a small drum controlled by a simple break composed of a cord 

 fixed at one end, and with a weight of from 10 lbs. to GO lbs. at the other, passing 

 once and a half round the drum. It is easily and quickly drawn up, contrasting 

 most advantageously in rapidity and power required with the old system. The steel 

 is preserved from rusting by the use of powdered lime, or by keeping the drum in 

 oil when not in use. 



Oil the Idcntijlcation of Lights at Sea. 

 By Prof. Sir "W. Thomsok, LL.B., F.E.S. 



The author drew the attention of the Section to the extreme importance of 

 ready identification of lights at sea ; and he pointed out how difficult it is, under 

 the present system of lighthouses, to distinguish one lighthouse from another. 

 The means now adopted of slow revolving lights, with ditlerent periods, were 

 wholly inadequate, and were constantly leading to eiTor and sometimes to disaster. 

 He proposed the use of flashing lights, the flash being of longer or shorterduration, 

 the short and long flashes representing the dot and dash of the Morse alphabet 

 now used for telegraphing. Each lighthouse should signal its own letter, and 

 would thus be readily and rapidly distinguished. Such a system was now used 

 regularly in the navy for the transmission of messages at sea ; and as what he 

 proposed involved only the signalling of a single letter, he considered there need 

 be no difficulty in its adoption, and he thought that the subject should be pressed 

 strongly on the Government. 



