The Electric Lighting Act, 1882, the Acts incorporated therewith, the Board of Trade Rules, together with numerous Notes and Cases

Abstract

PRACTICAL electricians unversed in law, and lawyers unversed in the practical applications of electricity, will find much useful matter in this volume. The authors are thoroughly competent to deal with the legal aspect of the case, whilst their judicious comments show that they appreciate at least many of the technical difficulties necessarily presented by the subject. The contents deal with the various sections of the Electric Lighting Act, adding copious notes and comments, and references to legal precedents and decisions. Quotations are given from the evidence collected by the Select Committee on Electric Lighting, and from the Rules and Regulations recommended by the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians concerning the prevention of fire-risks. One or two minor slips in the science are to be regretted, as for example where the authors state that a current of unit strength will decompose.09378 grammes of water per second. It is a pity, moreover, that they have departed from customary usage in speaking of the “strength” of a current as its “intensity.” That term has been and is still so much abused, that so long as it is liable to mislead its use should be avoided. One of the authors describes himself as “Fellow of the Physical Society of London.” We were not aware that the Physical Society of London recognised any such grade amongst its members.

The Electric Lighting Act, 1882, the Acts incorporated therewith, the Board of Trade Rules, together with numerous Notes and Cases.

By Clement Higgins E. W. W. Edwards, Barrister-at Law. (London: W. Clowes and Sons, 1883.)