FT. 34A

Original projects in the course of development by the New Zealand committee are the following : — The coagulating strength of rennet : Solutions and methods for the estimation of acidity in cream, milk, and whey : Babcock and Gerber methods of testing for fat content: Methylene-blue solution for the reductase test: Dairy thermometers. Footwear Sub-committee (One Meeting). As a result of representations received from the New Zealand Footwear Manufacturers' Association, the Footwear Sub-committee was recently called together after a lapse of over a year. Proposals for draft specifications for various types of footwear submitted by the Footwear Manufacturers' Association were discussed, and finally referred back to the Association for further consideration. It was also agreed at this meeting that a survey of children's feet should be undertaken, in order to ascertain the most suitable sizes, shapes, and other requirements of lasts from which to manufacture footwear that would not cause deformity of children's feet. At present the possibility of conducting such a survey is dependent upon finding suitable people who are capable of conducting the survey under the surveillance of the School Medical Officers. Hides Committee (One Meeting). In accordance with the understanding when N.Z.S.S. 161 for the Treatment, Grading, and Classification of Hides, Yearlings, and Calf-skins was issued, the committee was called together at the end of the year after the adoption of the specification by the hides industry. Comments and suggested alterations to the provisions were considered, but it was felt that no useful purpose would be served by making any alterations to the existing specification. The committee discussed steps which could be taken to prevent undue damage to calf-skins as a result of rough handling. This was not a point which could be met by the provisions of a specification, the only solution to the problem being an educational campaign which would ultimately make the entire industry aware of the harm that could be done in this way. Soundly informed opinion reports that the reliability of the uniform grades of quality of hides and calf-skins for which the specification provides has served to increase the confidence of buyers in the New Zealand products, and that this has had a good influence in maintaining a firmer market than otherwise would have prevailed. Market fluctuations due to other factors make it impossible to assess in terms of money the value of this advantage to the Dominion, but it nevertheless illustrates the benefits that accrue from the sound development of standard specifications. Town-planning Committee (Three Meetings). Town-planning Sub-committee .. .. .. .. Two meetings. The drafting of the Standard Code of Clauses for Town-planning Schemes has been completed and the provisions have been issued as a provisional standard code which will be subject to review and, if necessary, amendment at the end of one year. Statistical and Financial Return Forms Committee. A special committee was instituted to examine the nature of statistical information required from the general public by Government Departments, and to report upon the possibility of introducing a measure of simplification of the requisite forms. The committee has collected information from Government Departments concerning the forms in use, and at the same time has invited suggestions for the simplification of these from commercial and industrial interests. All the necessary information has been received and collated, and now awaits the attention of the committee before the report is presented. Legal Committee (Three Meetings). This committee was instituted for the purpose of giving legal scrutiny to various specifications aud codes issued, by the Institute, and more particularly in connection with the standardization of localbody by-laws. The revised Parts I to VI of the Model Building By-law (N.Z.S.S. 95) have been scrutinized and recommended as suitable for publication. Also, draft Conditions of Contract for Use in Civil Engineering Works prepared by the Civil Engineering Divisional Committee await the attention of this committee. Motor-spirits Committee (One Meeting). At its inaugural meeting this committee discussed the desirability and practicability of drawing up standard specifications for motor-spirit. It was agreed that further information be sought on this subject before any further steps be taken, and a further meeting will be called as soon as this information is to hand. Illumination Committee (Two Meetings). Illumination Sub-committee .. .. .. .. .. .... The original New Zealand Standard Code of Illumination Values has been finalized and is now in the process of being printed for publication. The wide interest displayed in this publication during its circulation in draft form suggests that it will be widely used and appreciated. Many commendations of the code were received, both from interests within the Dominion and overseas, including one from the United States National Committee of the International Commission on Illumination, which sought leave to use the provisions at a forthcoming session of the International Commission on Illumination.

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