Proceedings, &c, for 1882. 303 



numerous apertures, by which the water flows out after being pumped 

 up from a river or lake. 



After some conversational remarks as to the probability of success 

 in any scheme of irrigation for Victoria the meeting closed. 



11th May, 1882. 

 The President in the Chair — Present, 45 members and associates. 



Mr. 0. K. Eule and Mr. H. V. Champion, two new members, 

 were introduced to the meeting. 



Mr. Spencer Deverill was elected a member of the Society. 



Mr. D. B. W. Sladen, B.A., and Mr. T. Shaw were proposed as 

 members. Mr. John Booth was proposed as an associate. 



Mr. E. J. White reported that the committee appointed by the 

 Royal Society to confer with a committee of the trustees of the Public 

 Library, in reference to the publication of the letters and historical 

 documents left by the late Governor Latrobe had appointed a 

 sub-committee, consisting of Professor Irving, Mr. Sutherland, 

 and himself, to examine and report on these papers. This sub- 

 committee had reported that the papers were all worthy of publica- 

 tion, and the Government had, with great liberality, promised to 

 have them printed. 



Mr. R. E. Joseph then read a paper on " Electric Lighting." 



Mr. Kernot said that, while it was possible that in Melbourne, 

 where coal was of comparatively easy access, gas might be cheaper 

 than electricity, in many of the country townships there could 

 be no doubt that the advantage lay with the latter. In a country 

 like Switzerland the abundant waterfalls might make the cost of 

 light almost nominal ; but even in Australia such townships as have 

 abundance of fuel in the shape of timber would find electricity much 

 the cheaper. In so warm a climate as this the electric light pre- 

 sents a great advantage in not raising the temperature of the room 

 lighted up by it. 



Mr. Ellery and Mr. Foord said that the secondary battery in- 

 vented by Mr. Sutton, of Ballarat, may perhaps be of much assist- 

 ance to the success of electric lighting. 



Mr. Blackett asked which of the incandescent lamps was con- 

 sidered to be the best ? 



Mr. Joseph said that he had tested only one, the " Swan ;" but it 

 was said that the " Moxim" was superior. It had a thicker carbon ; 

 but though it might give better light it certainly did not last so 

 long. After 800 hours it breaks down completely. 



Mr. Kernot said that the chief objection to the arc light was that 

 either a great quantity of light or none at all must be used. The 

 light given by the incandescent lamp is more expensive, but more 

 useful. 



