Hi. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 



Turning to the future, the field of discovery was great, 

 the secrets of nature to be solved were inexhaustible. 

 First in importance among the future triumphs of engineer- 

 ing helped by science, though many practical difficulties 

 were in the way, was the application of electricity to our 

 main line railways, the advantages of which were referred 

 to. Then there were promises of the most wonderful 

 character as regards conveyance of power by electricity 

 without wires. The adoption of wide and straight streets 

 in cities, even at the cost of much reconstruction, would be 

 a work of the future, so as to enable the tram and motor 

 car to expel the more costly horse, which was slow and 

 insanitary, and in view of this, it was hoped that those 

 who had the fixing of the Federal City would bear in mind 

 the necessity of level ground for its site. Increased 

 economy in the utilization of heat units in the ordinary 

 steam engine, would be a work of the future, thus saving 

 our rapidly diminishing fuel supply. The application of 

 mechanical power, through electricity laid on to dwelling 

 houses like gas or water to domestic service, was dwelt 

 upon as more important than it w T ould seem, at first sight, 

 to be. 



Other subjects were then touched upon as fit ones for the 

 future, such as the direct utilization of the sun's rays for 

 power, and of the rise and fall of the tide for the same 

 purpose ; the diminution of skin friction in ships ; and of 

 the resistance to air in ships and trains ; the dispersion of 

 fog by electricity ; the further investigation of fatigue 

 in metals used for construction ; and the application of 

 single phase electricity to traction. The address concluded 

 by a reference to the necessity of reverent enquiry in the 

 scientist, if he is to coax from nature her inmost secrets, 

 so as to enable him, with the aid of his fellow worker 

 the engineer, to promote the happiness, well being and 

 comfort of his fellow men. 



