EXCELLENT WORK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 141, 29 May 1928, Page 4

EXCELLENT WORK

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DEPT. PRODUCER AND INDUSTRIALIST. SOLVING THEIR PROBLEMS. MorrinsviUe. May 28. The scope, investigations and results achieved by the Scientific Industrial Research Department were outlined by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates here tonight. To deal with noxious weeds a first-class research station has been equipped at the Cawthron Institutiot —the best in the Southern Hemisphere. The work is being concentrated on blackberry, ragwort, bidididi, gorse and St. John’s wort. Success has been achieved with a moth which destroys regwort, and prospects with an anti-gorse insect are hopeful. Co-ope-ration has been established with the Empire Marketing Board and Australia. “To ascertain the best qualities of wheat, manures and th© most efficient cultural methods of wheat production, co-operation research has been arranged between wheat growers. Hour millers and bakers in Canterbury with the department," said Mr. Coates “A cereals laboratory has been established at Canterbury College and also wheat breeding and selection work at Lincoln College. For dairy research, laboratories have l>een established at Massey College. Palmerston North, and a chemist and a bacteriologist of high qualifications have been appointed. Research work begins in earnest next dairy season. In the meantime, an investigation of New Zealand butter and cheese is proceeding in the United Kingdom, a statistical examination of herd testing records being undertaken, and an examination of the vitamin contents of butter is proceeding at Otago University. Coordination of research between the laboratories at Palmerston North. Hawera and Hamilton, while an investigation is being undertaken as to economic heat in dairy factories. CANNED MEAT PROCESS. “Regarding meat, some complaints have been raised as to the loss and lack of ‘bloom’ tending to affect prices and reputation To bring about an improvement, the sodium nitrate pickle process has been developed, while the canned meat process has been simplified and its quality improved Chemical treatment of pelts is also being investigated. The time has come when bacon and pork should play a more important part in the export trade. “The pig industry, related to the dairy, meat and grain industry and development on sound lines, offers ftod prospect of a remunerative industry. A fundamental research in the food value of meals suitable for pig feeding is now proceeding at Otago University, and trials are proceeding at Lincoln College and will be undertaken at Massey College. Bacon curing processes are being investigated to help the manufacturers, owing to the prohibition of boric acid, while the systematic weighing and recording of pigp, to ascertain the desirable strains and types, is being undertaken at Lincoln, Palmerston North and Hamilton.

“As to cold storage research, collaboration of research work between Cambridge low temperature research station and the Horticultural division of the Agricultural Department is now taking place. Complete scientific records of fruit this year from orchards in New Zealand to retail shops in Great Britain are being obtained. Arrangements have also been made with snipping companies for detailed records of temperature. SEED AND PLANT DISEASES. “A committee representing the de partinent, the Massey College Council and the Research Council and seed industry has been established, and a full programme of research work dealing with pastures, seed and plant diseases has been drawn “P. “An extensive examination of New -Zealand fleeces is being made to ascertain cases of deterioration, and microscopical examinations to reval defects in fibre (coarseness, etc.) are being made. The problem is complex and formidable, and co-ordination has been arranged with research institutes at Leeds and Edinburgh and else where.

“Flax industry improvements necessary in stripping, bleaching and washing processes are being, approached ■from botanical and chemical points of view, and a detailed survey of the varieties in the various areas and analyses of the fibre are being made. A flax research association is in course of formation. A leather research assoociation is being formed by tanners, and the industry will have scientific guidance. A technical chemist will be appointed and a programme of work drawn up. FRUIT INDUSTRY.

“For the fruit industry, an investigation for securing the best stocks of buds, in order to secure the best possible trees. is proceeding, and research work of a wider scope is receiv ing consideration. Frost fighting trials anil frost forecasting is receiving attention in Central Otago and at Hastings. A fuel research committee has bene set up. and low temperature distillation of brown coal is being investigated, as well as stone dusting of mines to obviate explosions. Physical and chemical tests of building stones are now in progress and a pamphlet will be issued detailing the results. Valuable properties of rhyolite deposits in the Putaruru district have been ascertained, and investigation work is also being undertaken regarding New Zealand gravels and clays.”

The Marama arrived at Sydney at 10 o'clock this morning. Mr. George Spence, solicitor, of New Plymouth, who motored through during the last week-end. left Hastings on his return journey this afternoon. The Mayor of Hastings (Mr. G. A. Maddison) has received a communication from the Prime Minister, expressing bis thanks for the invitation extended him to officially open, on June 23rd, the additions to the Hastings Post Office He said he would very much like to accept the invitation but. with tho parliamentary session opening on June 28, it would be difficult for him to arrange leaving Wellington at the time fixed for the function. He would, however, probably be able to give a better idea as to how he will be situated a little nearer to the date of the fixture. when he would again compiuuicatq with His Worship.