H.—34.

Geological Survey. Surveys of strategic and economic minerals have been intensified. Data obtained in the course of the coal-resources survey is proving of considerable help to co-operative mining parties, and in the more economic use of coal-supplies under war conditions. Continued assistance has been given to the oil companies at present carrying out boring operations in New Zealand. Special geological and geophysical surveys have been carried out for the Public Works Department in the Waikato in connection with hydro-electric developments. Observatories. A resurvey of magnetic stations throughout New Zealand is being made to provide data required by the defence Services. Publications. The dissemination of research information to all sections of industry has been continued by means of the Department's official journal, special bulletins, monthly letters, and special reports. Staff. I desire to record the praiseworthy way in which each and every member of the staff has faced and carried out increased duties and responsibilities arising from the war effort. E. Marsden, Secretary.

REPORTS OF RESEARCH COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH. DAIRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Dairy Research Management Committee. —Mr. A. Morton (Chairman), Professor 11. G. Denham, Messrs. T. C. Brash, A. H. Cockayne, C. H. Courtney, G. A. Duncan, H. E. Johnson, A. Linton, C. A. Marchant, A. J. Murdoch, J. Murray, G. M. Valentine. Secretary : Dr. E. Marsden. Director : Professor W. Riddet. The Committee held five meetings during the year at approximately two-monthly intervals, when it considered reports on research work in progress and projected, and means by which research could be used to assist the Dominion dairy industry. Problems affecting the industry as a consequence of the war were kept constantly under review, and every attempt was made within the limits of finance and staff available to utilize the Institute to the best advantage in making preparations for exigencies that might arise. Work Undertaken. Substantial progress was made towards the solution of problems concerned with the manufacture and storage of cheese; the manufacture, wrapping, and storage of butter; and dairy husbandry. Cheese studies included — (а) The determination of practicable measures in cheese-factories for preventing the contamination of starters with bacteriophage, which had been shown in previous years to be the principal cause of loss of vitality in starters and responsible for widespread difficulties in cheese-manufacture. (б) Investigation of two possible causes of bitter flavour in mature cheese, to which increasing attention has been drawn in recent years. (c) Determination of methods of adding to cheese milk under factory conditions selected bacteria that have been proven by past work at the Institute to improve the flavour of cheese. (id) Methods of effectively controlling mould growth on and shrinkage in cheese stored in factory curing-rooms. Butter projects included — (a) Investigations of methods, which could be carried out 011 a large scale in butter-factories, of eliminating land-cress taint from affected cream ; and of grazing practices that might reduce the intensity of or entirely avoid the taint in freshly-drawn milk, since this defect affects a substantial quantity of butter made in the South Auckland district, especially in the spring and early summer months. (b) The causes of variation in the hardness of butter, since this has an important bearing 011 its spreading properties in cold weather and 011 its ability to keep firm in warm weather. (c) The extent of seasonal and district variations in the colour and composition of butterfat and the diacetyl content of butter. (d) The production of clarified butterfat. (e) Investigation of the usefulness of Pliofilm as a wrapping-material for butter. The dairy-husbandry projects were carried out to determine — (a) Differences and variations in the yield, composition, and flavour of milk produced by cows grazed respectively on mixed pasture species, perennial rye-grass - white clover and cocksfoot - white clover swards. (b) The influence of the plane of nutrition of milking-cows at pasture on the yield and composition of their milk. (c) The frequency of weighing, sampling, and analysing the milk of individual cows to obtain prescribed degrees of accuracy in the results. (d) The benefits, if any, of feeding meal to calves being reared on skim-milk and grazed on good pasture.

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