140 SECTIONAL ADDRESSES. 



represented by its introduction the change enabled the management to 

 register the amount of power used by each type of machine under varying 

 loads of service, a circumstance which was impossible with belt-driven 

 machines, when the power varied according to the tightness and width of 

 the belt. The greater efficiency, however, is really represented by the 

 fact that in a large works electricity can be produced in bulk at a central 

 power station at a low rate of cost, and the loss in distributing to the 

 various departments through high-tension cables and transformers to 

 lower voltage in the different sections of the works is insignificant compared 

 with the saving represented by a consumption of coal and a cost of mainte- 

 nance far below what is possible with direct steam driving. Electricity 

 has in some measure been introduced into mining engineering, as I have 

 mentioned in the mining section, electric winding engines have been 

 adopted with satisfactory results, but as the fuel supply for steam raising 

 at the various collieries, especially where coke ovens are installed, is much 

 less costly for providing power than in a works without such auxiliary 

 facilities, the economy in the use of electric winding versus steam is 

 naturally not so great. 



The public, I think, fails to realise that electric lighting for domestic 

 purposes, if charged at a reasonable rate, does not represent any real 

 charge on the household. It is so clean in its application that, in my 

 opinion, the necessity for cleaning and decorating which is avoided in 

 many cases represents a greater saving than the amount paid for electric 

 light. In addition we have the great advantage that it does not burn 

 oxygen, and therefore we have more healthy conditions in our rooms 

 compared with any other method of lighting. I feel sure that those who 

 have introduced electricity into their houses for the purpose of cooking 

 and hot water supply will never go back to the old system of kitchen fire 

 for this purpose, owing to the former's efficiency and cleanliness in applica- 

 tion. It appears to me that all that is wanted for a much larger use of 

 electricity domestically is a reduced charge by the various supplying 

 companies and corporations, at least to the level which exists in many of 

 our cities already. It is hoped that the work of the electrical commis- 

 sioners in installing bigger units of power throughout the country may 

 bring down the cost so as to place electricity within the reach of every 

 householder. 



Since I roughed out this address it has been my privilege to make a 

 journey across America from New York to the Pacific Coast, and return 

 through the Rocky Mountains and Canada, and throughout my journey 

 I could not help realising how large a share engineering in its broadest 

 sense has taken in developing these wide regions. First comes the railway 

 as a through communication between east and west for 3,000 miles. 

 Gradually settlers come and farming and lumber work commences, their 

 progress only being possible with the aid of railway transport. Gradually 

 small towns spring up requiring the assistance of engineers for water and 

 drainage. In the torrid provinces of New Mexico and Arizona the water 

 question is a very serious one, and large irrigation schemes will have to 

 be introduced. At Grand Canyon, for instance, the water for household 

 and farm use is broughb nearly 200 miles by train in large special wagons. 

 Then mineral wealth is discovered, and the mining engineer appears and 



