MINUTES.
MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.
454
Any reply should bear the
number
34109
and be addressed to
THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST,
GOVERNMENT LABORATORY,
CLEMENT'S INN PASSAGE,
THEC
REG 14 JUL 22
STRAND, LONDON, W.C.
f
Telegraphic Address :
GOVERNMENT LABORATORY, LONDON.
13th July, 1922,
зе
Sir,
I am directed by the Government Chemist to refer to your
communication of the 24th March, 1922, forwarding further
particulars relating to the work done in the government
Laboratory, Hong Kong.
In the light of the details submitted an allocation has
been made of the probable time that would be occupied in carrying
out the work of the Laboratory. The results of such an estimate
cannot however be rigidly taken inasmuch es variation will arise
according to the methods of analysis adopted, the degree of
accuracy aimed at, and the number of determinations or teste
that can be put in hand at once.
In addition to the decrease in the total number of samples
examined in 1920 compared with the number in 1918, it may be
pointed out that there is considerable fluctuation in the numbers
under the different sections. Thus, taking the main sections
the figures for the four years 1917 1920, are:-
1917.
1918.
1910.
1920
Chemico-legal.
58
57
91
59
Food & Drugs.
Mineralogical.
141
124
203
230
489
812
218
486
oils.
103
470
700
345
To deal with auch variations, the staff must be capable of
interchange of duties, and it is assumed that this has been
possible in the period under review.
The general conclusion reached from the examination of the
figurea is that the analyses made in 1920 afforded sufficient
work for the staff of the laboratory without undue pressure upon
the staff, but with no margin for expansion or for dealing with