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rating and testing of apparatus which will replace the varying methods at present used by different authorities. In addition, it will incorporate clear definitions of the terms used and will specify a standard method of stating rating and output. It will also lay •down tests for temperature rise, insulation resistance, applied high voltage, and induced high voltage. When completed, it will prove of valuable assistance to manufacturers, welding firms, supply authorities, and other people concerned. Optical Glass Committee (One meeting) Protective Filters.—This committee commenced its programme of work by undertaking the formulation of a standard specification for protective filters for welding and other industrial operations. In the course of its work it examined the relevant British, Australian, and American standards, finally deciding to prepare an original New Zealand standard specification which would admit filters imported from both Great Britain and America satisfactory to our requirements. Water-well and Structural Drilling Sectional Committee (One meeting) Drilling Operators Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Drilling Machinery and Equipment Committee .. .. One meeting. Water-well and Structural Drilling Conference .. .. One meeting. Water-well and Structural Drilling. —At the request of the New Zealand Water-well and Structural Drillers' Association, consideration was given to the formulation of a standard code of practice for water-well and structural drilling, to safeguard reputable operators and the general public, and also to assist to provide a basis for the registration of operators. A conference of the interested parties recommended that a sectional committee should be formed, and this committee, after careful consideration, decided that the standard code could best be prepared by dividing it into three sections dealing, respectively, with the qualifications of operators, the tools and machinery used, and the actual drilling methods to be followed. Working committees were set up t© formulate these three sections and have given initial consideration to this work. At the same time, relevant information is being sought from overseas for the guidance of the working committees. Drawing Office Practice Sectional Committee (One meeting) Engineering Drawing Practice. —The parent committee considered the recommendation of the Engineering Drawing Practice Committee to the effect that the British standard for engineering drawing practice should be adopted as a New Zealand standard specification, subject to an amendment incorporating the Australian standard sizes for paper, and that the corresponding Australian standard should be added as a supplement because of its fuller detail and its special suitability for teaching purposes. The parent committee decided, however, that the Australian standard was more suitable to New Zealand conditions in all respects and that it should be adopted as the New Zealand standard specification instead of the British standard, but a final recommendation in this respect was deferred to ensure that, where necessary, the provisions of the Australian standard have been modified to conform to established practice in New Zealand for specialized types of work. Architectural and Building Drawing Practice.—A special sub-committee has been «et up to prepare a standard code of practice for architectural and building drawing practice, based upon the corresponding British standard.

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