RESEARCH WORK IN DOMINION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1931, Page 6

RESEARCH WORK IN DOMINION

CURTAILED FINANCE

WIDE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT.

At a recent meeting of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research it was pointed out that the net total of £51,463 approved by Parli aiient for the Research Department, lias to

provide, in addition to grants for rev search investigations, for the whole of the operations of the Dominion Laboratory, Dominion Observatory, Geological Survey, Meteorological Offiice, Apia Observatory and Magnetic Observatory at Christchurch, and that the net amount available for investigations is only £18,299. Thu cur-

tailment in the finance available for the various brandies of research work lias involved the working out of amended programmes and the cessation of work in some of the less promising activities. The amendments to th© Scientific and Industrial Research Act, recent-

ly -paused l'v Parliament, is in gener-

al ‘'agreement with the"suggestion made by the council. It is hoped that the new organisation wilt assist in .general co-ordination'.between research and

application of results, and a mors

intensive effort in the direction of development of industries, both primary and secondary.

A review of the wonk done and in hand mentions that in the realm of

noxious weeds control concentration

is being made on piri piri, ragwort and gorse with a view to bringing experiments to a conclusion. The work of the Daily Research Institute is progressing favourably, interesting results being obtained in connection with maturity experiments, and pressure in relation to openness in cliee.se. BRIQUETTING.

Considerable progress has been made with briquetting problems, and, thanks to the assistance from the/ Unemployment Board, the erection of a quarter scale briquetting plant for West Coast slack, is proceeding at the State coal yards, Wellington. This will test out the laboratory findings; and it is hoped to provide more exact data for the development on a large scale. The tests on the use of certain run-of-mine coals on the railway have been completed, and are under consideration by the Railway Department. Considerable work is in progress on the production of sheep dips and fruit spray from coal by-products; and experimental lots are under test in collaboration with the fruit research workers and agricultural colleges. With the limited funds available, the work on pjiormium research is considered to be as satisfactory as expected. Research work on kauri gum lias been begun at the Dominion Laboratory, and already there lias evolved valuable information as to the possibilities of purification and production of a standard product. The Unemployment Board lias assisted by a small grant so that sufficiently large experimental lots may be prepared for shipment to actual users.

FRUIT AND WHEAT Fruit research and wheat research problems are being actively investigated, and much good work is being done with respect to the mineral content of pastures, and investigations on the volcanic soils at present are being continued in order to confirm, or otherwise, the efficacy of treating stock with iron compounds so as to avoid severe attacks of bush sickness. Arrangements have been made to extend the area of the present siol reconnaissance, survey to those portions of the North Island not dealt with 'last season. In addition, greater detailed surveys are being made of those areas the use of which for closer settlement is under contemplation. Pelt research is receiving much attention, but the work lias been curtailed on account of lack of finance. It is interesting to note that in consequence of the associaton of this work with the British Tanner’s Research Association there have been numerous purchases by British tanners of large experimental lots of Now Zealand pelts.