SUPPLY OF MUNITIONS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15395, 28 September 1915, Page 3

SUPPLY OF MUNITIONS.

TVHAT CANTERBURY COLLEGE COULD DO. A SPFXIAL REPORT. Matters conncc-ted with the facilities existing at Canterbury College for the manufacture of munitions were referred to at yesterday's meeting of tho Board ol Governors, and tho report of a special committee. set up by the Professorial Board, was submitted. The. Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister of Munitions, had written Asking for the assistance and co-operation of the Board of Governors and tho scientific staff of tho College in the matter of the feasibility and practicability of manufacturing certain munitions of war in the Dominion. The Minister asked for the following particulars:—

(1) If there arc available at the College instruments capable of measuring high temperatures. It' so, the number, class, ami range oj these: also of retorts, annealing ovens, mulfles. or other plant suitable for the hardening and tempering of small rifle parts. (2) ff pcrm;>-iou could be granted for the use of such plant in the College laboratories by an expert workman. (3) It assistance, should such be required, would be given by the College stall in tiie reading and control of temperatures and in the general handling ol the apparatus. l-l) If temperature measuring and roconJing apparatus could be lent, preferably with the services of a competent observer, for the purpose of ascertaining the temperatures in furnaces located outside the College. The Minister, on behalf of the Government. also invited suggestions from the College's professors of science as to any other direction in which the resources of the establishments under the Board's control could be utilised subject to the Hoard'.-, acquiescence. 'ihe letter was submitted to tin; Professorial Board, which set. up a committee consisting of tho professors of engineering, chemistry, and physios, to deal with the matter. Subsequently this committee submitted a report which was signed by Professor R. J. Scott. Tiie report was as follows:—

The committeo set ujt hv tho, Professorial Board to dnul with tho matter of iiivitif; assistance in tho manufacturing ol munitions of war in tho Dominion have ijiot, and beg to report, in answer to rho r|U>\stionti contained in the letter of tho Minister in Charge of Munitions and .Supplies, dated .September 7 th. 191.1:

1. That there are available at Canterbury College instruments capable of measuring high temperatures tip to l? 170 degrees C. These comprise: One Fery pyrometer ciipablo of measuring up to 'Jl7O degrees with N.P.L. certificate. Three workshop pattern resistance pyrometers ami four laboratory pattern resistance pyrometers capable of reading' up to 1200 degrees C. One workshop pattern resistance pyrometer capable of reading up to 000 degrees ('. All with ice bobbins for uso with Whipple indicator. One Whipple indicator complete in cape. Ono laboratory pyrometer reading up to IL'OO degrees C., and thermopile reading up to I<J<X) degrees 0., suitable for use in laboratory with bridge.

la. There are also the following appliances suitable for, .hardening and tempering rifle parts!—-Ono ga.s-Tiftatcd mufHc 55in x lin x lliti, with jacketed tempering bath, draining tray and annealing box complote; one glass muffle lOin x 5J in x 4Jin, maximum temperature 1200 degrees C.; two small muffles; one special high temperature furnace, range up to 1700 degrees C.; one electrical tube furnace;' power blowers, crushers, etc.. complete.

2. Permission would bo granted lor the uso of the College laboratories by an expert, workman. y. Assistance would be willingly given by the College staff in tho rending and control of temperature, and general handling of sinpnrntus. 4. Temperature measuring and recording apparatus for the purpose ol ascertaining temperatures ot furnaces, "located outside the College, arc . available.

In this connexion there are at present two Government roseareh scholars engaged in technical research whose services could be at once utilised. Canterbury College is fully equipped for the. mechanical analysis of all descriptions of materials and for the making' of any electrical measurements which may bo refpiired, and the . Services of its professorial and professional staff would, witli the. consent of the Hoard, be unreservedly placed at the disposal of the Minister in Charge of Munitions and Supplies. The Hoard of Governors authorised the chairman to reply to the Minister in the terms of the report of the committee of the Professorial Board.