NEW LABORATORY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 January 1941, Page 4

NEW LABORATORY

RESEARCH INTO ANIMAL DISEASES OPENING AT WALLACEVILLC YESTERDAY. WORK OF GREAT VALUE TO FARMERS. Equipped to facilitate further' investigations by the Department of Agriculture into animal diseases, the new Animal Research Laboratory at Wai* laceville was officially opened by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, yesterday. The old buildings will now be used for diagnostic work, and research work will be carried out in the new laboratory. The building, which is of two storeys, has a flat roof, on which are constructed two staff rooms. The ground floor has a kitchen suite for the preparation of media and the sterilisation of glassware, hot and cold rooms, a large post-mortem chamber, offices, and several laboratory rooms. The main space on the second floor is devoted to nutritional work in its relation to disease of stock. Here, experimental rat colonies are kept, and accommodation is provided for a staff of chemists, who work on various phases of disease problems. An up-to-date photographic studio is a feature of the floor, as photographic records are kept of animals used in-experiments. There is also a small library to hold the more valuable journals and text books. The research station, which has a staff about 50, is under the control of Dr. J. F. Filmer, Acting-Director of the Animal Research Division, Department of Agriculture. It is divided' into three main sections —pathological, diagnostic, and nutritional. The pathological side is directed by Dr. C. S. M. Hopkirk. D.V.Sc.. who is also Officer-in-Charge. and investigates specific animal diseases unconnected with nutrition. such as mastitis, contagious aboi'tion and pulpy kidney. Speciments sent in from all parts of New Zealand from meat works, veterinarians and farmers themselves are dealt with by the diag- , nostic section, which is controlled by Mr L. W. N. Fitch. B.V.Sc. The nutritional section which is directed by Dr. I. J. Cunninghaxn Ph. D.. M.Sc., B.V.Sc.. carries out work connected with nutrition and disease. A service laboratory, which is in charge of Dr. G. M. Moir. Ph. D.. M.Sc.. is also maintained at Wallaceville.

’The progress me woix carried on in these buildings is a history of earnest effort." -.aid Mr Fraser, who expressed his pleasure at oeing asked officially to open the new laboratory. He added that the research work at the institution was i great contribution to the agricultural and pastoral life of the country and was carried out with great determination, great energy, great enterprise, and very often with great sacrifice. "In spite of *hose efforts of the past." he added, "it was found that something much more was required today if the, work was to be carried cut thoroughly, and that was an application of science and the very latest scientific discoveries in solving the agricultural and pastoral problems of the Dominion." After referring to the steady growth of animal research. Mr Fraser paid a tribute to all associated with the work, both past and present, adding that they deserved high praise from the people of New Zealand for all they had done and were still doing.

"I. as Prime Minister, appreciate what has been done here, and so have all my colleagues in the Government and in Parliament. Mr Lee Martin has informed Parliament of what has been carried on here and there is a unanimity in Parliament that these institutions should be supported and extended, and those engaged on agricultural and pastoral research, work encouraged and helped as much as possible.” MINISTER’S WORK. Mr Fraser thanked the Minister of Agriculture for the work he had done during the past five years. Mr Lee Martin had appreciated the responsibilities and requirements of the farming industry and had always been sympathetic and industrious in his attitude toward it.

"It is not unfitting that my last public appearance as Minister of Agriculture should be at the official opening of this new laboratory." said Mr Lee Martin, who added that he had always realised the importance of animal research and had always endeavoured to provide the best possible facilities for its prosecution. He referred to the many diseases among live stock which were the subject of research at the laboratories at Wallaccville and other stations in the Dominion.

“1 want to stress the great importance of all farmers using the Animal Research Division, and specially the Animal Research Station at Wallaccville,” ho said. ■'Fortunately, the Depar’ment of Agriculture is so organised that this can readily be done. The live stock, fields, and dairy divisions have large staffs of officers widely distributed throughout Now Zealand. These officers know what facilities arc available at Wallaceville and the other animal research stations. They know what specimens should be collected for investigation of each problem and they know where to send them. SCOPE OF WORK. ‘'Therefore, if you are in trouble, it is not necessary to write to Wallaceville or Wellington or Ruakura. Gel in touch with your nearest veterinarian or inspector of stock, or instructor in agriculture, or fields instructor, or dairy instructor, and he will do the rest. Remember. Wallaceville and the other animal research stations arc not just laboratories where scientists are conducting interesting evperimcnis.; They arc integral parts of the Department of Agriculture, and the function of the Department of Agriculture is to serve the farmers of New Zealand. I The director of the new laboratory.! Dr. C. 5. M. Hopkirk, thanked the, various speakers on behalf of his stall I for the good wishes extended. He stressed the urgency of the work being done, adding that whereas he begjin work at Wallaceville in 1924 with a stat! of six, at present the stafT numbered 49. The members of his staff wore trained specialists, and he thought st would bo difficult to find anywhere a band of men in lite one institution with such qutikflenlums Prior to declaring the new building, officially open. ?»lr Fraser was presented with a key and a photograph album containing n pictorial record of the various phases of research work being evurried out tn the institution.