1T.—34.

DOMINION LABORATORY. The work of the year consisted almost entirely of chemical analyses and investigations undertaken for various Government Departments. The numbers of samples received from the various Departments were :— Wellington (main Laboratory) : Customs, 172 ; Police, 67 ; Geological Survey, 199 ; Main Highways Board, 160 ; Mines, 57 ; Health, 2,690 ; Post and Telegraph, 84 ; Research, 130 ; Public Works, 69 ; Soil Survey, 146; Railways, 32; Stores Control Board, 8; Agriculture, 25; Defence, 13 ; Prisons, 239 ; Government Printing Office, 20 ; External Affairs, 9 ; Plant Research, 86 ; Housing, 70 ; Public Trust, 28 ; Other Departments, 81 ; Miscellaneous, 442 : total, 4,827. Auckland (branch Laboratory) : Auckland Hospital, 2 ; Customs, 1 ; Forestry, 2 ; Health, 5,210 ; Marketing, 3 ; Justice (Police), 186 ; Post and Telegraph 5 ; Public Trust, 65 ; Public Works, 54 ; State Advances, 9 : total, 5,537. Christchurch (branch Laboratory) : Food and drugs (Health), 3,287 ; Justice (Police), 141 ; Other Government Departments, 30 ; Local bodies and miscellaneous, 22 : Total, 3,480. Dunedin (branch Laboratory) : Health, 1,517 ; Justice (Police), 20 ; Agriculture, 11 ; Scientific and Industrial Research, 49 ; Post and Telegraph, 1 ; Internal Affairs, 1 ; Forestry, 2 ; Mental Hospitals, 2; University Medical School, 1 ; Miscellaneous, 4 : total, 1,608. A total of 15,452 samples was received in the main Laboratory and the three branches. Customs. The usual variety of samples was examined for approximate composition as a guide in classifying for tariff purposes. Police. Wellington.-—Of a number of exhibits examined in connection with cases of suspected poisoning, strychnine was found in one case, nicotine in another, and in a third, oxalic acid. Samples of wine and other alcoholic liquors were analysed in connection with suspected " sly-grog " selling. Blood, urine, and other materials were examined for alcohol in several cases of suspected intoxication. In two cases of alleged arson, sacking and other materials were tested for inflammable liquids. Caustic soda was found in a sample of milk in a case of attempted poisoning, and arsenic in dates in a case of attempted suicide. Several exhibits were examined for poisons in connection with the deaths of a number of dogs. Blood-samples were examined for carbon monoxide in three cases of gas poisoning. Samples of various drugs were analysed in several cases of suspected attempts to procure abortion. Numerous exhibits, consisting of green paint and other materials were examined in two cases of house-breaking, and in a number of these exhibits a special search was made for traces of gelignite. Auckland.—ln four of the cases of poisoning investigated, veronal, lysol, oxalic acid, and strychnine respectively were found. In the case of death due to poisoning by absorption of carbolic acid through the skin, traces of phenol were recovered from the liver. The victim had accidentally used liquefied carbolic acid instead of a dilute solution of carbolic acid as a dressing for neuritis in the arm. An instance of nicotine poisoning was remarkable for the large amount of nicotine which could be tolerated by a heavy smoker. The victim recovered in hospital after four grains of the sulphate had been taken accidentally. Following a bomb outrage at a residence in Auckland City a considerable amount of investigational work was carried out on the fragments of the bomb. The bomb had been made from a light-steel canister, filled with gelignite, and was fired by a striker with a steel spring. A number of exhibits were examined in connection with three cases of arson. A number of counterfeit half crowns and a .genuine coin which had been gold-plated and sold as gold were also the subjects of investigation. The etching-up of numbers filed ofi stolen articles has been continued with success. Christchurch. —The following substances were present in exhibits submitted for toxicological examination ; Strychnine, luminal, and morphine. In connection with deaths under anaesthetic, samples of ether and nitrous oxide were examined and found to be of good quality. This is in accord with experience over a long period, and it can be added that there is little danger of anaesthetics containing injurious impurities. A considerable number of specimens of blood and urine were submitted in connection with motor accidents, &c. In three cases significant amounts of alcohol were found ; in one case it was in the form of methylated spirit. Medicinal preparations suspected of being used as abortifacients were examined, also several samples of liquor in connection with " sly-grog " cases. Analyses of lubricating oil and of petrol from motor-cars were required in connection with the alleged theft of these materials. Dunedin. —No poisons were found in any of the exhibits submitted in cases of suspected poisoning of human beings. A. further case was investigated in which horses had been poisoned by strychnine being added to the chaff.

84