SOAP V. SCIENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 237, 6 October 1928, Page 14

SOAP V. SCIENCE.

A MYSTERY CLEANED UP. An example not without a humorous side, of the work which the Department of Scientific, and Industrial Research is doing at present was given by Dr. P. Marshall in an address to the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. ■ He said that he had been asked to investigate the discolouration of the Parliamentary Buildings, arid it had been suggested to him that reasons for the ■unsightliness were that the stone contains pyrites which become oxidised; it encouraged the growth of fresh water algae; it supported fungi; it was absorbent. ' . ' ." ■ . ■ When he examined the stone, he found that there was little pyrites in it, and none of that which was present hadbeen oxidised. . He found no trace of algae; neither was there any sign of fungi, nor was. the stone absorbent. However, he solved the mystery. He scraped some of the dark material off the surface, put it under the microscope, and found its constitution. It was nothing but "the dust,and dirt and'grime of Wellington." He sent for some men froni the Government Architectural Office, and asked them to show him a specimen of the worst discolouration which they could find. They did so, and then he obtained a Government messenger' a pail of water, some soap, and a scrubbing brush. In a very short time,'the stone was'as white as ever. '