Power and its Transmission. 37 



found by experiment was too low, and he thought that about 30 

 cubic feet would be about the average. This would bring the 

 cost of gas up to ^"20 per year power unit. Mr. Wilson went on to 

 explain at length the principles, advantages, and disadvantages 

 of the gas-engine. Among its advantages might be placed the 

 absence of a necessity for a boiler, with its dirt, heat, trouble, 

 and danger, and this makes it favoured in many small concerns. 

 As at present constructed, however, the gas-engine can never 

 enter into competition with steam for heavy work. 



Speaking next of the distribution of power, Mr. Wilson said it 

 was not until the experiments of the Compressed Air-Power Com- 

 pany were made (with which experiments he had himself been 

 connected) that it was discovered that the cost of production in 

 small concerns in general was so large as it turns out to be, a 

 fact which was greatly due to the full amount produced not being 

 constantly required, as well as to unskilful management, and 

 other causes. When the figures were published which proved 

 this, and the Compressed Air-Power Company offered to supply 

 such manufacturers with power at £\ 5 per year power unit, 

 demand was immediately made for 4,000 horse-power on these 

 terms. Various means have been used for the supply of power in 

 this way. First, steam sent in mains through the streets from 

 a central supply ; secondly, compressed air laid on in the same 

 way, the compression being effected at a central station ; 

 thirdly, water supplied by pipes from a central pumping sta- 

 tion, and used to drive hydraulic machinery. The first plan 

 has found some favour in the United States, and the divi- 

 dends of the companies thus supplying power have been 

 from 5 to 24 per cent. However, there are so many cli- 

 matic causes to militate against such a system in these coun- 

 tries that it can never be thoroughly successful. The second, 

 that of compressed air pumped into mains at a pressure of 

 45 pounds above the atmosphere, and delivered in the same way 

 as gas, has, he believed, the largest future before it of any of the 

 three. For all purposes to which steam is applicable, except 

 that of heating, compressed air is equally available. Yet while 

 - unsuitable for heating, it may frequently be utilised for the pro- 



