XII. Cc. O. BURGE. 
at the present time, the fact that one naturally leans to matters 
familiar, and a connection of now nearly forty years with railway 
construction of nearly all the gauges from 2’ to 5’ 6” gives me 
some authority to speak on this subjevt. 
In conclusion, though I do not represent specially here the 
Institution of Civil Engineers, still, as a large majority of the 
Section belong to it, I think this a good opportunity to put on 
record the thanks of the Institution to the Royal Society, for their 
courtesy in lending the use of these premises for its meetings. 
One of our past chairmen, Mr. Deane, is the chief representative 
of the Institution of Civil Engineers in this Colony, and he is also 
this year President of the Royal Society, I would suggest there- 
fore, that he, in the former capacity, thank himself in the latter 
capacity, for the favour I have mentioned. With this I shall end 
this address, wishing the Section a prosperous session, and hoping 
that with your assistance and co-operation it may end with still 
greater vigour than that with which it has begun. 
