ANIMAL RESEARCH

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 96, 17 January 1941, Page 12

ANIMAL RESEARCH

New Laboratory Completed At Wallaceville OFFICIAL OPENING TODAY Provision for modern scientific methods of investigating animal diseases, the problems of nourishment and other factors relating to live stock is afforded in the new Animal Research Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, Wallaceville, which is to be officially opened this afternoon by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser. Research work will be carried on in this laboratory. the obi buildings being used for diagnostic work. r - The new building, which is of two stories. Ims a flat roof, on which are constructed two staff rooms. The ground floor has a kitchen suite for rhe preparation of media and the sterilization of glassware, hot and cold rooms, a large post-mortem chamber, office's, and several laboratory rooms. Tiie main space on the second floor is devoted to nutritional work in its relation to disease of stock. Here experimental rat colonies are kept, and accommodation is provided for a sta of chemists, who work on various phases of disease problems. An up-to-date photographic studio is a feature of the floor, as photographic recoras are kept of animals used in experiments. There is also a small library to hold the more valuable journals and text books. ' ■ " The research station, which has a staff of about 50. is under the control of Dr. J. F. Filmer, acting director of the Animal Research Division, Department of Agriculture. It is divided into three main sections —pathological, diagnostic, and nutritional. The pathological side is directed by Dr. C. S. M. Hopkirk, who is also officer-in-charge. and investigates specific animal diseases unconnected with nutrition. such.as mastitis, contagious abortion. and pulpy kidney. . Specimens sent in from all parts of New Zealand from meat works, veterinarians, and farmers themselves are dealt with by the diagnostic section, which is controlled by Mr. L. AV. N. Fitch. The nutritional section, which is directed by Dr. I. J. Cunningham. carries out work connected with nutrition and disease. A service laboratory, which is in charge of Dr. G. M. Moir, Is also maintained at Wallaceville.