H.—29

For the Dairy Division analyses of dairy-products in connection with the general and special investigation work of the Division, and of cattle-licks, disinfecting and cleaning preparations, &c., have been carried out. The examination of skim-milk bottles used in the purchase of milk and cream under the Dairy Industry Act Regulations, and of dairy thermometers, has been continued, 390 bottles and 219 thermometers having been tested for accuracy during the year. Further experimental work on the modification of fat content of milk in cheesemaking has been carried out by the Dairy Division in collaboration with this section. A sample of cheese-colouring suspected of containing coal-tar dyes was examined and found to be genuine annatto extract. The question of the possible contamination of cheese by boric acid derived from rennet-extract was inquired into. All the rennet-samples examined contained boric acids, but no trace of the preservative was found in the cheese-samples submitted. For the Horticulture Division analyses have been made of fungicides and insecticides, honey, honeydew, &c. A sample of reputed poisonous honey, believed to have been gathered from tutu (Coriaria ruscAfolia) was examined, but no tutin could be detected. Assistance in the preparation of the Fungicides and Insecticides Act was given. Officers of the Fields Division have submitted samples of soils, fertilizers, limestones, pastures, &c., for examination and report. Advice and collaboration in chemical matters affecting their work has also been given to officers of all branches of the Department. Other, Work of the Section. A large amount of consulting-work has been done by the writer and by Mr. F. T. Leighton. A statement of the research work of the Laboratory was prepared for presentation at the Imperial Conference of Agricultural Research. At the request of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the writer acted in the committee appointed to deal with applications for the position of Dairy Research Chemist at the Massey Agricultural College. Accommodation. The matter of providing adequate accommodation for the work of this Laboratory has again been under consideration. The congestion in the Dominion Laboratory building has been somewhat relieved by the provision of a room in the neighbouring building of the Public Works Department, and further temporary relief will shortly be afforded by the transfer of the soil-analysis work to the building in Fairlie Terrace at present occupied by the Biological Laboratory. The disadvantages as regards effective supervision and co-ordination of work carried on in different parts of the city are. however, obvious, while the arrangement also entails a considerable amount of duplication of apparatus and stores. Summary op Samples received during the Year. Soils collected by Laboratory staff, 277 ; soils collected by Fields officers, 9 ; soils, miscellaneous, 15 ; fertilizers taken under the Fertilizers Act, 7 ; fertilizers, unofficial samples, 34; fertilizers, miscellaneous, 13 ; reputed fertilizers and phosphate rocks, 8 ; limes and limestones, 88 ; toxicological specimens, 17 ; wheat, 30 ; flour, 14 ; cheese, 49 ; butter, 2 ; milk and cream, 84 ; water, 11 : fodder plants, 311 ; stock-foods, &c., 2 ; sheep and cattle dips, 214 ; fungicides, 4 ; miscellaneous, 87 ; skim-milk bottles, 390 ; thermometers, 219 : total, 1,885.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (800 copies), £50.

Authority : W. A. 6. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92B.

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