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FUTURE ENOINEERTNO. 



likely to bo given up in tho future. The carriage of water, 

 by means of pipes, is so easy that we may look forward 

 to its extension all over the country, and it is to be hoped 

 also to tho adoption of subways for holding the mains, as 

 also gas, electric, and other mains, which will abolish tho 

 senseless custom of constantly breaking up our roads. In 

 supplying water in dry countries like Australia and South 

 Africa, there is great scope for engineers, as want of water 

 is the chief drawback to those countries. One reason why 

 small works of this description have not been more largely 

 carried out in this country, has boon the difficulty and 

 expense of obtaining an Act of Parliament ; but under 

 the proposed local government there will be greater 

 facilities, and there seems a prospect of greater activity in 

 this direction for engineers. 



With regard to the future of lighting and heating, tho 

 electric light is likely to be the light of the future ; and the 

 oils, fats, and gases now used for lighting will probably be 

 more advantageously used for heating. The electric light is 

 making slow but sure progress, the chief reason for its slow 

 progress being tho want of thoroughness and care in. work- 

 ing, rather than to any defect of the light. Action is now 

 being taken to make its use compulsory in public buildings. 

 Gas is tho chief opponent of tho electric light ; but up to 

 the present the latter has had no effect in diminishing tho 

 consumption of gas, owing to the extended use of gas for 

 heating. Heat produced by electricity is now being used 

 for welding metals, and. is said to bo tho most jicrfoot 

 and cheapest way. Lighting and heating are branches of 

 engineering under-going groat changes, perhaps more abroad 

 than at home; and the study of those changes is necessary 

 in this country. 



The supplying and transmitting of power to communities 



