IN introducing the lecturer, Dr Thurston said Professor Lea is a distinguishedengineer and professor of engineering, very well known both in aeronautics andin the world of general engineering He is a Whitworth Scholar, the first, or oneof the first Doctors of Science (Engineering) in the University of London, andthe author of many valuable researches During the war he was responsible formany researches of great value to the nation, not only in the design ofaeroplanes as a whole, but also in construction of metal parts and fittingsProfessor Lea’s activities have been so numerous that it is difficult togive a brief summary of his life work in a few sentences, but we may be sure ofthis—that the paper which he will give us to-night will add to hisalready great reputation, and at the same time be a most valuable contributionto our own Proceedings I now have pleasure in calling upon Professor Lea to readus his paper