TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 987 



may be expected from such an institution, and have unanimously reported in 

 favour of its establishment. 



I feel sure that we shall all earnestly hope that Government will carry out the 

 views of the Committee, and 1 venture to suggest that each of us should use what 

 influence he may have to induce the Chancellor of the Exchequer to find adequate 

 funds for an institution which may be of the greatest benefit not merely to 

 scientific research, but to the commerce of these islands, threatened as it is on all 

 sides by foreign competition of the most vigorous description — a competition which 

 is supported by every weapon which the science of other lands can forge for use 

 in the struggle. It being acknowledged that our own work in life is to deal with 

 physical facts and apply them for the use of our fellow-men, we may have good 

 hopes that at such an institution as I have indicated, directed, as it no doubt 

 will be, by the highest scientific superintendence, we shall be able, at least far 

 better than at present, to have a sound knowledge of many facts which are 

 obscure, and to deal with the many new conditions under which the applied 

 science of the future will have to be carried on. 



Those who know most of the problems of Nature feel the more strongly how 

 much remains which is unknown, and realise how completely those who teach 

 require throughout their lives to be always learners. Let each of us, then, in our 

 special walk of life, seeking for further enlightenment on the various problems 

 of our work and in the application of that science which we love, humbly 

 recognise that 



' All Nature is but art, unknown to thee ; 

 All Chance, direction which thou canst not see ; 

 All Discord, harmony not understood.' 



The following Papers were read : — 



1. New Works at Barry Docks. By R. C. H. Davison. 



Conditions necessary for the Successful Treatment of Sewage 

 hy Bacteria. By W. J. Dibdin. 



FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9. 

 The following Papers were read : — 



1. Description of an old Neiccomen Engine at Long Ashton, near Bristol. 

 By W. H. Pearson, M.Inst.C.E. 



2. Factitious Airs. By Sir Frederick Bramwell, Bart., F.R.S. 



3. The Mechanical and Economic Problems of the Coal Question. 

 By T. FoRSTER Brown, M.Inst.C.E. — See Reports, p. 611. 



4. llie Hydraulic System of Jointing of Tubes on Tubular Bodies. 

 By Claude Johnson, M.Inst.C.E., M.Inst.E.E. 



The practical utility of this system has only been demonstrated during this 

 year. The inventor of the process, Mr. C. T. Orowden, constructed apparatus in 

 1896, which, being actuated by hand power, was experimental only. In 1897 

 the funds were obtained for the construction of steam machinery from the author's 



