SCIENCE IN INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19957, 28 May 1928, Page 11

SCIENCE IN INDUSTRY.

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTS. IMPERIAL INSTITUTE'S WORK. INQUIRIES AND ANALYSES. [BX TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON, Sunday. In his report for 1927, Lieutenant-Gen-eral Sir William Furse, director of the Imperial Institute, expresses the hope that he may be able to visit New Zealand next September or October, at the time of the Imperial Forestry Conference. In view of this possible visit the work of the institute for New Zealand is of mom than usual interest. In a copy of the report which has reached the deputyTrade Commissioner in New Zealand, Mr. W. D. Lambie, are to be found a number of references to inquiries and investigations respecting New Zealano products. At the request of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the institute has furnished information regarding the possible utilisation of oat husks in the manufacture of paper pulp and board, linoleum and other chemical products. The department has also asked for the assistance of the institute in an investigation relating to the production and marketing of hides and skins, and preliminary consideration has already been given to the matter by a recently-formed committee dealing with these products. At the request of the High Commissioner of New Zealand the institute has undertaken to analyse all shipments of basic slag made to the Dominion for agricultural purposes. The object of this work is to ensure that the quality of the basic slag distributed to New Zealand farmers corresponds with the guarantees expressed on the labels. The samples are taken in the United Kingdom by a representative of the Imperial Institute, and at Continental ports by a sampler appointed by the High Commissioner. A sample of Fuller's earth from the Whangarei district, upon being submitted to technical trials at the institute, was found to be equal to the best quality English Fuller's earth for the purpose of bleaching edible oils and fats. This opinion was confirmed by users to whom samples were submitted, and inquiries have since been received regarding the possibility of obtaining regular supplies of the deposit. Among other inquiries was one regarding the utilisation of waste apples, and another as to the possibility ot finding a market for manganese ore from New Zealand. Full commercial information was furnished in the latter case as to the market for this mineral, and advice was given as to the procedure in dealing with consignments to British consumers. An extensive investigation was made regarding the possibility of extracting and marketing the wax found in a peat occurring in the Chatham Islands. The crude peat, of which extensive deposits are said to be found in a very dry condition, was found to contain more than 25 per cent, of a wax having many of the characteristics of the crude wax obtainable from lignite. Samples were submitted to expert brokers, who valued the peat wax at about £25 per ton c.i.f., United Kingdom, and who estimated that from 500 to 2000 tons could be sold each year. The peat residue woidd form a useful fuel. As a result of the institute's action inquiries were received respecting the possibility of obtaining supplies of the wax.