PKESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 1 
the former for stationary plant, the latter at sea. Oil fuel 
will certainly be much more largely used in the future than 
it is at present. 
Electrical Engineering.—Hlectrical engineering has 
been developed during the last twenty years, mainly to 
meet the requirements of cities, and is concerned with the 
generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity for 
power and lighting purposes. By far the most extensive 
use of electricity for power purposes occurs in connection 
with electrical railways and tramways, although a con- 
siderable amount of power is absorbed by various industrial 
establishments. The characteristic feature of this branch 
of engineering is the Central Power Station where elec- 
tricity is generated, and which should be conveniently 
located in regard to the supply of coal and water. There 
are four ways in which electrica! traction has so far pre- 
sented itself, namely :-— 
1. The overhead trolly wire. 
2. The under-running trolley, grooved conduit. 
3. The elevated road with a third rail. 
4, The tunnel with its side, ceiling or bed contact. 
The magnetic contact system has not passed so far 
beyond the experimental stage, and the use of storage 
batteries carried on the cars, although used in many cities 
in Kurope, has not given entire satisfaction. The storage 
batteries enable the cars to run through the crowded por- 
tions of the city without the use of the overhead trolley, 
which latter is used in the less crowded portions. By far 
the most widely used system is the overhead trolley on 
account of its cheapness, rapidity of construction, and 
adaptation to the conditions of suburbs. The slotted con- 
duit is suitable for cities and crowded thoroughfares, as 
there are no poles or overhead wires, and all the charged 
conductors are underground. The elevated electrical rail- 
