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THE NEW LABORATORY,
About the beginning of December, the move to the new Laboratory in the New Fire Station Building was begun and extended over a period of three weeks. Work was carried on in the old building during the first portion of this period and was gradually transferred to the new building as the equipment was installed. No interruption of work took place.
The new Laboratory is up-to-date, gives increased space which was badly needed and gives far better facilities for work. The following figures are given for the purpose of comparison :-
Laboratory floor space
Bench space
Fuine chamber space
Old Laboratory.
1,427 sq ft.
281 36
31
}}
New Laboratory.
2,230 sq. ft.
463 243
77
12
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}
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Experiments have been made with a modification of the Gutzeit apparatus for arsenic with the object of finding a method for the rapid estimation of arsenic in ores up to 1.0%. and this was successfully accomplished.
Work is being continued on methods for the detection and estimation of traces of carbon bisulphide in foodstuffs, in conner- tion with the work of treating Naval stores with this substance for the elimination of weevils and other organisma.
SAMPLING.
The following sampling of metals, ores and oils ete was carried out by the Laboratory staff during the year:-
In addition to the above increased accommodation the new Laboratory has an office for the Analyst, a clerk's office, an assaying room for ores, fitted with electrically driven machinery for the crushing, pulverisation and sampling of ores, electric and gas furnaces. There are also two store rooms, one for chemicals and the other for apparatus, a sample room where portions of all samples examined are kept securely for twelve months, a spectroscope room and a photographic dark room.
The floors of the laboratory rooms and the fume chambers are finished in fire-proof Decollite. The bench tops have a chemically-resistant aniline black finish and the electric lights above the working benches are fitted with "daylight" lamps giving a light of daylight" quality essential for work involving colour comparisons in dull weather or after dark.
The organic, inorganic and chemico-legal laboratories are fitted with electric ovens and furnaces and the two latter are equipped with electric distilled water apparatus.
RESEARCH.
The work on the pollution of the harbour has been continued during the year, some 191 samples of harbour water taken in various places at low tide. have been examined. In connection with this work, cast iron and mild steel plates have been placed in position in various parts by the Public Works Department. These will be inspected at intervals to obtain data regarding variation in the corrosive action of the water.
Some work was also carried out during the year on the pollution of the Repulse Bay water.
A method for the rapid determination of opium in stomach contents has been worked out and is the subject of a paper read before the Society of Public Analysts.
❤
Tin
Antimony Cupro-nickel
Wolfram
53,810 slabs Lard
30 tons 8,497 bags 1,120 bags
Anise pil Cassia oil Carbonate
6,789 containers
717 1,496
2,
Kerosene
Bismuthite
40,000 cases
27 bags
of potash...
10
Coal
100 tous
Wood oil .21.708 containers
Condensed
milk Tobacco
375
1
1 case
REVENUE.
The fees paid into the Treasury during the year amount d to $ 16,422.50 as against $ 23.000.00 in 1925. This decline in revenue is entirely due to the adverse trade conditions existing during the past twelve months.
The value of the work done, as determined from the Tariff of Fees (Government Notification No. 439 of 1918) was $42,202.50 as against $50,085.00 in 1925.
STAFF.
No change has taken place in the staff during the year.
E. R. DOVEY,
Government Analyst.
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