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INFORMATION BUREAU Officer in Charge : Mr. N. A. Mauris PUBLICATIONS The New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology.—There was a considerable increase in the number of papers submitted, particularly those dealing with agricultural subjects, and arrangements were made to increase the number of issues of the Agricultural Research Section from six to twelve per year, commencing with Volume 31 (June, 1949). Issues are still in arrears, but it is expected that these will be overtaken and the Journal brought up to date during 1950. Bulletins. —In the Department's Bulletin Series, No. 95 (" Soil Erosion in New Zealand—Part I : Southern Half of North Island," by L. I. Grange and H. S. Gibbs) and No. 97 (" Report on Building and Civil Engineering Research in New Zealand," by Sir Reginald E. Stradling) were published. Others of this series (including " The Introduced Mammals of New Zealand," by K. A. Wodzicki) were prepared for printing. Two Geological Survey Bulletins were published : Geological Survey Bulletin No. 42 (" Reefton Quartz Lodes," by M. Gage) and Geological Survey Memoir No. 7 (" Otaki Sandstones," by R. L. Oliver). During the year a series of Information Bulletins was commenced : No. 1 (" Flue-cured Tobacco in New Zealand," by H. Thomson) was published, and No. 2 (" Tomato Diseases and Pests in New Zealand ") and No. 3 (" "WTieat Diseases and Insect Pests ") were forwarded to the printer. The scope of the Industrial Bulletin, published jointly with the Department of Industries and Commerce, has been widened to include contributions from the Department of Labour and Employment, the Industrial Hygiene Division of the Health Department, and the Standards Institute. Miscellaneous Publications.—Other publications issued or in the hands of the printer were " Scientific Institutions in New Zealand," " Scientific Man-power Resources of New Zealand," "The Dominion Laboratory," and "Departmental Directory." This section has also continued to assist in the production and distribution of the two-monthly Paint Review and the quarterly Agronomy Review. LIBRARY The circulation of books, pamphlets, and periodicals from the library again increased considerably. All publications were classified under the Universal Decimal Classification. A mimeographed classified index to certain important journals for issue every month was commenced, but it was discontinued through lack of response. Short training periods were given at the Head Office library to librarians appointed to branch libraries. TECHNICAL RECORDS Technical documents increased to approximately 40,000 reports, and these were extensively used by the Services and industry. Index lists were circulated every two months, and from these about 1,300 requests were made for reports. INFORMATION SECTION Technical Information. —An increasing use was made of the information service by Head Office and by the industrial liaison officers in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The number of major inquiries dealt with from various sources showed a considerable increase, which indicates that this service is appreciated in the primary and secondary industries. Translations have been arranged as required. Abstracts.—The number of abstracts requested through the service offered in the Industrial Bulletin was 550.

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