M 85
SAMPLING.
7. An increased amount of sampling has been done during the year. The increase was especially noticeable in the case of tin, of which a quantity, averaging 20 tons per day, has been sampled and stamped with the Government stamp as a guarantee of quality. The following Table shows the work done :--
Substance. Amount sampled. Tin, 154,280 slabs, Zinc, 131 tons. Antimony, 10,213 cases. Antimony Ore, 8,780 bags. Tin Slag, 1,000 bags. Wolfram, 10,495 bags. Manganese Ore, 1,500 bags. Calcium Carbide, 200 cases. Anise Oil, 1,580 cases. Cassia Oil, 376 cases. Tea Oil, 1,247 cases. Coconut Oil, 480 cases. Wood Oil, 12,510 cases. Lard, 5,379 vats. Sugar, 1,000 bags.EXAMINATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC.
8. The public continue to take advantage of the Laboratory and have forwarded a great variety of samples for examination on payment. The fees paid into the Treasury during the year amount to $25,846.50, as against $19,429.50 in 1916.
The value of the year's work, as determined from the Tariff of Fees (Government Notification Nos 285 of 1907 and 360 of 1910) is $29,861.50, as against $24,219.50 in 1916.
LIBRARY.
9. Several standard works of reference have been added.
SPECIAL REPORTS.
10. Special Reports have been supplied on Petrol Storage, Coal Gas Poisoning, Vermilionette, Pollution of River Water, and The Preparation of Paper Pulp.
RESEARCH.
11. A new Alcoholometric Table has been calculated for the determination of alcohol at Tropical temperatures. Work has also been done on the expansion of anise and cassia oil and on the volumetric determination of tungsten.
STAFF.
12. During the year Mr. J. Maxwell was appointed to assist in the taking of samples.