Discussion on items of practical experience

(a) “ What are the relative advantages of steam and electricity for shaft sinking and winding ?” Prof. W. Buchanan (Past President): The relative merit of steam and electricity for winding has frequently been discussed at our meetings, the sinking of shafts electrically has not yet received much attention. A main object of our Institute is to extend the use of electricity, whenever it can be shown to be profitable, surely therefore it is fitting that we should examine with great interest the problem of shaft sinking in these fields to see if electricity offers advantages over the methods at present in use. There can of course be no doubt as to the ability of the electric motor to hoist the rock with greater quickness and certainty than is done with the steam engine, while the capital cost as well as the running expense of the electric system is the more favourable.