II. T. H. HOUGHTON. 



the Inst. C.E. resident in this Colony, and this fact should 

 induce those members of the Institution who are not already 

 members of the Society to send in their proposals for membership, 

 and so increase the roll of the Society which is so ready to oblige 

 us in every way. 



The difficulty of finding a subject for my opening address has 

 confronted me, as it will, no doubt, my successors, for year by 

 year, with the multiplication of scientific societies, each one 

 dealing with a speciality, it becomes more difficult to find a 

 non-debatable subject of sufficient interest. I would, however, 

 like, with your permission and consideration, to occupy your 

 attention for a short while to-night. 



There have been few large works initiated or completed during 

 the past year in this or the neighbouring colonies. In Western 

 •Australia the Frernantle Harbour Works are still in progress, 

 and work has been commenced on the great scheme for supplying 

 the Coolgardie district with water. A considerable amount has 

 been expended upon railway construction, and further large 

 extensions are under consideration, some by private enterprise. 

 The expenditure for Public Works in Western Australia 

 amounted in 1897 to .£2,325,000, having risen from less than 

 £800,000 in 1895. In addition to this large sum the amount 

 expended by private companies upon works has been very large, 

 so that, although as regards population it is the smallest of the 

 five colonies, yet it has, during the past year, probably afforded 

 greater scope for the exercise of our profession than any of the 

 others. 



In South Australia there is little to record. A scheme is being 

 formulated to construct a large reservoir at Bundaleer to increase 

 the supply in the area now supplied from Betaloo. In connection 

 with the Adelaide Water Supply, some mains are being laid of a 

 new type; they are made from steel plates without any riveting 

 being required. As this is the first occasion upon which such 

 pipes have been used in Australia, a short description of them 

 and the method adopted in their manufacture will perhaps be 

 interesting. 



