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method of placing it around cylinders. The specification, when issued, will ensure* satisfactory service and efficiency of operation, with minimum running-costs and maximum conservation of power. Installation of Electric Water-heaters. —As a corollary to the proposed standard specification for thermal-storage electric water-heaters, the committee has agreed, at the instigation of the Electric Supply Authority Engineers' Institute, to undertake the development of a standard code of practice for the installation of these heaters. Radio Industry Sectional Committee Radio Components Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Radio Components.—At its meeting the Radio Components Committee continued its examination of standard specifications for radio components received from other countries. As a result, 7 American standards for various components were recommended for adoption as New Zealand standard specifications for purchasing in North America. As New Zealand obtains a large proportion of her radio supplies from this source, the adoption of the American standards as being suitable for use in this country will acquaint purchasers with the equipment available in the United States which will satisfy their requirements. Hearing Aids Sectional Committee (Two meetings) Hearing Aids Technical Committee .. .. .. .. Two meetings. Hearing Aid Equipment (Valve Type).—The existing standard specifications for this type of equipment was revised in order to provide for improvements in the design and components of hearing aids which have resulted from recent research, particularly in connection with the use of midget batteries in smaller and lighter units. The New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing has freely acknowledged the protection and benefit to its members afforded by this specification, with the aid of the Standard Mark,, which has been adopted as the basis for social-security benefits to the hard of hearing. Performance of Hearing Aids. —Following the issue of the foregoing standard specification, a separate standard code of practice for the measurement of performance of hearing aids was prepared to establish the means by which aids should be tested for conformity with the technical provisions of the main specification. The code of practice will serve as a valuable guide to manufacturers, testing laboratories, otological clinics, and others concerned with these tests. Welding Sectional Committee (Two meetings) Resistance Welding Committee .. .. .. .. Two meetings. Parent Committee. —At the request of the Structural Welding Committee, which found that it was receiving numerous standard specifications from overseas relating to> welding other than structural welding, a separate Welding Sectional Committee was set v up to consider these specifications, to formulate any necessary original standard specifications, and to carry out allied activity. The new sectional committee examined 2 draft British standards, 5 draft Australian standards, 18 British standards, and 3 Australian standards, and in each case directed the circulation of these to ascertain their suitability for use in New Zealand. By the close of the year, 4of the British standards had been found suitable for adoption as New Zealand standard specifications. jßesistance-ivelding Apparatus.—The proposed standard specification for resistancewelding apparatus, referred to in the last report, was brought to the draft stage and circulated to interested parties for comment. It will establish a uniform basis for the

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