PRESIDENTS ADDRESS SECTION J, 197 



being used in the boiler, even on sea voyages. The 

 economy and efficiency produced by the latest improvements 

 over the old style of marine engine using steam of 18 to 20 

 ])Ounds pressure has quite revolutionised the steam engine ; 

 the test of improvement is generally quoted in the consump- 

 tion of coal |)er hour, which is now reduced to about two 

 pounds per horse-power per hour. These improvements 

 in the steam engine, resulting in a greatly reduced consump- 

 tion of coal per horse-power have, however, no tendency to 

 ))revent the increasing consumption of coal ; on the contrary, 

 the tendency is for steam to take the place of every other 

 source of power. 



The use of coal for warming, ventilation, and cooking is 

 ijtill subject to waste, which may be called shameful, as much 

 of it is wilful, prejudice and custom refusing to listen to 

 suggestions of economy. 



The English o])en fireplace is answerable for an immense 

 waste of fuel, which, probably, equals the total consumption 

 of coal for purposes of power in machinery. The open iire- 

 j)laces which in winter warm very badly a moderate-sized 

 house, use about as much coal as would drive a ten horse- 

 ])0wer engine. When properly used a much smaller quantity 

 of fuel is sufficient for the same purpose, as is seen in the 

 German and American stoves ; and in Russia I have seen 

 two armfuis of wood thrown into the peculiar brick stoves 

 used i;] that country keep the house Avarm all night. 



British and colonial prejudice will not give up the wasteful 

 fireplace unless the engineer or architect gives his attention 

 to the invention of some novelty that shall combine economy 

 with the admitted advantages of the open fire. Warming 

 and ventilation have never received from architects or 

 engineers the attention which the subject deserves, conse- 

 quently it is imperfectly understood and badly practised ; 

 nevertheless, in the interests of the public as regards their 

 comfort, health, and economy, this art is quite as important 

 as that of building bridges, railways, or docks. 



In the burning climate of Australia the art of cooling must 

 certainly become as important as that of heating. In the 

 hands of the engineer the power of fuel is turned to most 

 unexpected uses, and the world is startled to see heat used to 

 produce cold. In reality the process is extremely simple, but 

 the promises ^vhich were uttered when the refrigerating 

 engines were first invented have not yet been fulfilled. We 

 were promised that it would be as easy to cool houses in 



