A considerable number of new local wires are to be erected in both cities. In Aberdeen, besides the new London wire, the principal change will be new wires to Wick and Lerwick—the last a most important improvement, as Shetland messages will reach London with two steps, instead of being, as now, repeated at Wick, Inverness, and Edinburgh or Glasgow. We observe that the French are about to increase enormously their telegraphic system, and that the new wires are to be laid _under_ground. It would be well if, remembering the ever-recurring havoc wrought upon our overhead wires by gales and snow, we followed the example of our Gallic neighbours. AN OIL BREAKWATER AT FOLKESTONE. A series of experiments has been made at Folkestone, with the result of very satisfactorily demonstrating the value of the method of spreading oil over troubled waters which has been devised by Mr John Shields, of Perth, and which has been already described in this _Journal_. Many years ago, Mr Shields, observing the effect of a few drops of oil accidentally spilt on a pond in connection with his works, began experiments with a view to determine if this property of oil could not be turned to account on a large scale for the saving of life and property at sea and on our coasts. He soon arrived at the conclusion that the problem to be solved was ‘how to get the oil on troubled waters when it was wanted and where it was wanted.’ By trying various methods of solving this question, first at Peterhead and then at Aberdeen, he has worked out the system which, with the co-operation of the South-eastern Railway Company, has at his expense been placed in readiness for use during stormy weather off the entrance to the harbour at Folkestone.