Proceedings, <&c., for 1884. 155 



" May 8tli. — Mr. Ellery opened a discussion on some showers 

 that had recently fallen stamed with mud ; Professor Andrew 

 exhibited and explained to the meeting a new method of inducing 

 a charge in the Electroscope, with less trouble than is necessary 

 in the ordinary way. 



" July 10th. — Professor Kernot exhibited some harmonic 

 curves produced by a compound pendulum constructed by Mr. 

 Eussell, the Government Astronomer of New South Wales ; 

 Mr. Ellery read an abstract of a report by Mr. Verbeek on the 

 Krakatoa eruption, translated by Jonkheer Ploos van Amstel. 



" October 16th. — Mr. Ellery opened a discussion on the 

 probable effect of the removal of the falls of the Yarra on the 

 water used for the Botanic Gardens. 



" Report of Section A. 



" During the year 1884 eleven meethigs were held. The attend- 

 ance at the meetings and the interest taken in the work has 

 been very encouraging. The chief local event which came under 

 notice of the Section was the Engineers' Exhibition, under the 

 auspices of the Engineers' Association, which furnished many 

 interesting topics for discussion. 



"The papers read and discussed gave evidence of careful 

 thought and accurate observation on the part of the Members. 



" The following is a list of the chief papers which were dis- 

 cussed : — 



" ' Underground Telegraphs.' Mr. J. H. Fraser, C.E. 



" ' The Strength of Timber.' Mr. G. E. B. Steane, C.E. 



" ' The Web of Plate Girders.' Mr. J. H. Fraser, C.E. 



" ' Indicator Diagrams.' Mr. C. W. M'Lean, C.E. 



" ' Speed Begulators.' Mr. J. Booth, C.E. 



" • The Strength of Cast and Wrought Iron Beams.' Mr. J. 

 H. Fraser, C.E. 



" ' Accurate Chainage.' Mr. Steane. 



" ' Boiler Explosions.' Professor Kernot. 



"B. A. SMITH, Hon. Seer 



