TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 1203 
Advocates a return to ‘pool’ harbours for those silted up, and observes that, 
although one hundred years ago London absorbed four-fifths of the English 
shipping trade, it now has only one-fourth; yet it is still the largest port in the 
_ world, Antwerp ranking second. 
6. On the Spey Bridge at Garmouth and the River Spey. By P. M. Barnerv. 
7. On a New Forin of High Speed Friction Driving Gear. 
By Professor J. A. Ewrne. 
8. On Ashton’s New Power Meter. By Professor H. S. Here Suaw. 
9. On the British Association Standard Gauge for Small Screws. 
By Epwarp Rica, M.A. 
At the suggestion of the Mechanical Section a Committee was appointed by the 
British Association at Southampton in 1882, for the purpose of determining a gauge 
for the manufacture of the various small screws used in telegraphic and electrical 
apparatus, in clockwork, and for other analogous purposes. This Committee pre- 
sented its final report at the Montreal meeting, and it will be of interest to the 
Section to know that progress has already been made towards the general adoption 
of the standard series of screws then recommended. 
They have been officially adopted by the Telegraph Department of the Post 
Office, and this step alone may be relied upon to ensure their general adoption by 
the telegraphic and electric instrument trades in the course of a few years. The 
entire series of standard taps and dies has not yet been manufactured, but such as 
have been completed are now on view at the Inventions Exhibition, where they 
have been awarded a diploma of honour by the Jury Commission, 
It will naturally be more difficult to secure their general introduction through- 
out the clock and watchmaking and other analogous industries, but important help 
may be expected in reference to these branches, from the fact that in Switzerland, 
where the system adopted by the British Association originated, an identical series 
of screws has already secured the support of the leading manufacturers, and the 
plates and finished screws will very shortly be placed on the market. 
