FIRES ON WOOL SHIPS COMMISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13368, 24 December 1906, Page 8

FIRES ON WOOL SHIPS COMMISSION.

[By TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT, "j

Wellington-, Saturday. A meeting of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into fires on wool and flax ships has been held, mainly for the purpose of conferring with Dr. J. D. MacLaurin, a member of the Committee of Scientists who are assisting the Commission with expert advice. The evidence taken, says the Post, was chiefly confined to the question of the ingredients of the dipping preparations in use throughout the colony, but it is not yet available for publication. The Commissioners have also obtained in reference to this aspect of the question a report from every stock inspector in the colony, stating the period of "dipping" in each district, and the latest date of such " dipping," and the date of shearing, and also a statement of the chemicals and materials employed by the various fellmongers. The Commission intends to procure samples of the "dips" used in the colony, and have them analysed. During the course of its investigations the Commission has been favoured with many suggestions for testing the temperature of bales sent forward for shipment to foreign parts. Only one, however, has commended itself. It is a simple device. It consists of a spear-pointed • three-foot tube, about one-third of an inch in diameter, enclosing a thermometer, registering up to 200 degrees. 'This instrument can easily be inserted into any bale, and a simple contrivance enables .the thermometer to be withdrawn and replaced at will. In this way the temperature of any bale of wool or flax can be ascertained, almost at a moment's notice. »