Reflections

Underground Distribution. “In referring to overhead electric light work I am speaking rather of the past than of the future, because I think you are aware the commission appointed by the Board of Trade, which has lately gone into the whole matter, has formed a set of regulations under which the whole of the electric lighting in London is to be placed underground as soon as possible. No additional overhead wires are allowed to be placed, except such as may be agreed upon between the inspectors and the various companies, and the central station companies in London are now very hard at work laying down mains. However, there is no doubt a good deal of overhead work will be required for various purposes, and as you have so much overhead work here perhaps it might be worth while to explain our practice. First of all, we have not been allowed to plant posts in the streets at all, except in country roads. Within the boundaries of towns it is an absolute rule that no posts can be fixed in the streets. If we want posts we must put them in people´s back gardens and in vacant lots, etc.”