620 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION H. 
origin in the military architecture of the Middle Ages—now, 
of course, obsolete for military purposes, owing to the 
changes which have taken place in the weapons of warfare, 
but still intrinsically beautifuli—and many of the highest 
inventions and adaptations of engineering science have been 
achieved in the effort to meet military requirements. 
3. Aérial Architecture.—I may seem to anticipate, but 
in these days scientific curiosities so soon become entrained 
for practical use that, with wireless telegraphy and the aérial 
machine “in the air,’’ so to speak, it surely is justifiable to 
say that in the near future we shall have entirely new 
problems in design and construction to face. 
What the air-ship of the future is to be—and what forms 
her arrival and departure stations, or the receiving stations 
for wireless telegraphy, are to take, are as yet unsolved 
problems; but more than ever will such structures need 
to be governed by the laws I have laid down, since more 
than ever, probably, will they intrude themselves upon the 
public view, and intercept the view of earth, and sky, and 
sea. 
I cannot conclude my paper without making some refer- 
ence to the projected Federal Capital of Australia. The 
yarious points to be considered in the planning and erecting 
of an ideal city were so thoroughly discussed at the Con- 
gress of Architects, Engineers, and Surveyors, held in 
Melbourne in May last, that I will not take up your time 
by the recapitulation; suffice it to say, that the oppor- 
tunity will be a unique one for avoiding the errors and 
difficulties which nearly all existing cities that have been 
laid out, or have grown up, before some of our late inven- 
tions of science and art were applicable, have to contend. 
A Memorial was addressed by that Congress to the Prime 
Minister of the Commonwealth asking that, before the site 
is finally chosen, the advice of a committee of experts— 
architects, engineers, surveyors, and medical men—should 
be taken. As yet no very favourable response to this 
request has been received. Let us hope that considerations 
of party politics will not be allowed to outweigh this most 
important proposal. 
Perhaps this section, with the weight of the whole Science 
Association behind it, may see fit to take the matter up, 
and urge the adoption of the suggestion made by the May 
Congress. 
