646 REPORT—1883. 
the present age looks back with respect and veneration to the creation of those 
monuments of engineering science of which little more than ruins or even historic 
records remain, so will the generations which succeed us look on these, our works, 
as worthy, and as having contributed in no small degree to the greater and more 
general civilisation to which we hope those who follow us may attain. 
The following Report and Papers were read :— 
1. Report of the Committee on Patent Legislation.—See Reports, p. 316. 
2. On the Supply of Hydraulic Power. 
By Epwarp Bayzaup Exurneton, M_Inst.0.E. 
The object of this paper is to show the advantages of hydraulic transmission 
of power over large areas, and to give an account of the works already established 
in London and Hull for the supply of power on this system. 
The author does not think any one form of power will meet all demands, but 
hydraulic transmission is one of the most important means of distribution. At 
present the great natural sources of power, such as the tides, are not available, and 
eos system of supply is adopted has to be produced from the combustion 
of coal. 
The author then discusses the various systems of transmission available. 
Compressed air is extravagant, and only suitable where ventilation is needed and 
in a few special cases. Steam has been tried on an extensive scale in the United 
States, and has failed there. 
Gas is a much more important means of distribution, but gas is fuel laid 
on, and after being burnt in a gas-engine some further system of transmission is 
needed to bring the power to the machines. In perhaps the majority of instances 
hydraulic transmission is the most economical method of utilising the power of a 
gas-engine, especially for lifting and other intermittent work. Electricity is even 
less likely than gas to supersede hydraulic power, for electricity must be produced 
from some other power, and when produced must be ultimately redistributed by 
some other means. Hydraulic power can, however, be economically used to 
produce electricity for lighting and other purposes. 
Hydraulic pumping engines are the most economical machines for utilising the 
power obtained from the combustion of coal at present available. Hydraulic power 
when obtained in this way can be utilised direct for many purposes in a manner 
analogous to the production of light by the electric current, or by the burning of a 
gas jet—e.g., in an hydraulic ram lift or press. 
When rotary engines are required the best power to use must be determined by 
local conditions. 
Hydraulic power is available for the extinction of fire, either direct or by im- 
parting pressure to the ordinary supply, on the injector system, thus acting as a 
continuous fire-engine. Hydraulic power is pre-eminently suitable for public 
supply, because of its economy, the simplicity of the machinery employed, its appli- 
cability to the extinction of fires, and the small inconvenience to the public 
thoroughfare which its supply entails. ; 
The author then gives a description of the works in Hull and London, and some 
statistics showing the economy of the system. The cost to consumers for lifting 
is from one halfpenny to three farthings per ton, lifted 50 feet; and whereas 500 
lifts or cranes if worked by isolated engines would consume 25,000 tons of coal per 
annum, they conld all be worked from one centre, on the hydraulic system, with 
2,500 tons. There is the further saving of labour in the same proportion, and other 
advantages. 
The author adyocates the construction of subways in the main thoroughfares of 
our cities, in order to facilitate the use of the public streets for the many new 
4 
' Published in extenso in Lngineering, October 26, 1883. 
