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Timber Ladders. —The draft standard specification for timber ladders, referred to in the last report, was completed during, the year and recommended for adoption as a New Zealand standard specification, subject to review after one year in the light of the experience of its initial use. It was found necessary, however, to restrict its scope to general-purpose ladders because general agreement could not be reached concerning provisions relating to insulated ladders suitable for electrical work. Nevertheless, the specification was prepared in close collaboration with the supply authorities, with the result that ladders conforming to its provisions will be acceptable to these authorities and will afford a valuable protection against accident to all workers and others who have occasion to use them. Timber Preservation. —The Timber Preservation Committee gave further consideration to the development of standard specifications for other methods of timber preservation in addition to the cold dipping process, which has already been provided for in an existing standard specification. It was found, however, that it was still impracticable to make any further progress with this work until a report was available upon the research work recently carried out by the Plant Diseases Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, which it is understood is now completed and awaiting printing. New South Wales Hardwoods. —The existing standard specification for New South Wales hardwood poles was reviewed, and the provisions in respect of marking, branding, and inspection amended to bring these into line with the corresponding requirements in the separate standard specification for other New South Wales hardwoods. Western Australian Hardwoods. —After careful consideration of the Australian standard grading rules for jarrah and karri, the Hardwoods Committee endorsed these as suitable for adoption as New Zealand standard specifications, thus providing in respect of Western Australian hardwoods grading provisions similar to those already adopted for New South Wales hardwoods. As New Zealand is very substantially dependent upon Australian supplies of essential hardwood timbers, the adoption of these specifications provide a clear definition of what is acceptable to both suppliers and users and thus eliminate the confusion and loss which must otherwise inevitably arise. Plumbing Sectional Committee Plumbing By-laws Committee .. .. .. .. Seventeen meetings. Plumbing Supplies Committee .. ~ .. .. Three meetings. Vent Horn Panel .. .. .. .. .. One meeting. Plumbing By-laws.- —Throughout the year, the Plumbing By-laws Committee gave consistent attention to the final drafting and editing of the proposed standard code of plumbing and drainage by-laws, which will unify and codify plumbing and drainage by-law requirements throughout the Dominion—a work of some magnitude, due to the comprehensive nature of the code. The proposed standard code is, however, now in a form that embodies to the greatest extent practicable the consensus of experience and opinion, both within New Zealand and overseas. An early opportunity will be taken to refer the completed code to City Engineers in order to acquaint them with its provisions before it is issued for adoption by local authorities. Plumbing Supplies—The. Plumbing Supplies Committee examined 22 draft British standards, 17 British standards, 5 Australian standards, and 1 Canadian standard. In each case, action was/directed to ascertain the suitability of these specifications for use under New Zealand conditions. By the close of the year, 3of the British standards had been found suitable for- use in this country and had been recommended for adoption as New Zealand standard specifications.

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