IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 334, 4 March 1915, Page 2

IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

EXTENDING OPERATIONS. FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANISATION. Press Association. WELLINGTON, March .1. The Department of Industries and Commerce states that particulars are now to hand from the Colonial Office concerning the proposal to extend the sphere of operations of the Imperial Institute, to include the carrying out of investigations, researches, assays, etc., on behalf of private linns and individuals throughout the Empire. The proposal has now been put into operation, and it is desired that as full publicity as is possible should be given to the matter for the benefit of persons likely to take advantage of the Institute's services.

Briefly, the institute is prepared to investigate the possible technical uses of new or little-known materials of all kinds, and the value of known materials from new sources. In this connection it not only carries out laboratory research, but also obtains information from all known sources on the sub-

ject, correlating and revising it, and making it available for the enquirer. j If necessary, an actual test of the material will be arranged with some manufacturer. Problems confronting agriculture and the production of various raw materials in different parts of the Empire will also be investigated, and advice given, a bureau of technical information has been set up to deal with enquiries for technical information from manufacturers, merchants, i and producers, e.g., enquiries relating; to the best means of extracting gome j valuable product from plants, et<-. It ; will be left to the authorities of tb<; ; institute to decide, in the case of ea'-h application, whether or no the request for research is one with which tb<? institute can properly comply. The. reports supplied under this arrangement become the property of those who pay for them, and will not be communicated either by the institute or any Government to any . other person, or published without the consent of those concerned, as it is undesirable that the 'institute should compete with the professional expert. It is proposed that only special invest!-' < tions, etc., shqulfl be taken, i.e., on ; subjects of a technical character, with ; Which the institute is exceptionally ; qualified to deal, especially those relat-; ing to the production and of materials which occur in the British ? Empire, or which might be introduced j into British countries, and .are con- 1 sidercd likely to be of value to British j commierce- or trade. 1 ' - | The following are mentioned as. some' 1 of . the more important, matters with:j which the institute is. in a special posi-': tion to deal:— . 1. Investigations as to the value of! new or little-known raw materials for! commercial purposes.

2. Chemical analyses, assays, arid !j

valuations of raw materials, such ai fibres, rubbers, oil seeds, waxes, foodstuffs, tanning materials, essential and fixed oils, gums, resins, drugs, tobaccos, soils, minerals, ores, waters, and fuels. 3. Tlio technical testing of rubber, timbers, cotton libres, cements, and other materials.

4. The identification of vegetable and mineral substariceH.

The Managing Commit.tee is not prepared at pronent, to suggest an actual scale of fees which could 'meet the variety of cases likely to occur. The fee must be arranged between the in- 4 stitute and the individuals or firms who require investigations made. The matter will be in the hands of a director, who will, from time to time, report to the Managing Committee, the fee proposed in any special case in which this cannot be determined by ordinary practice.

This development of the work of tho institute is not intended to supersede the furnishing of information by local officials or other organisations set up here to investigate our own problems, notably by the Department of Agriculture, Industries, arid Commerce. ' Be* fore applying to the institute, 'it should be considered whether the in* formation does not exist in New Zea« land, or whether the matter is one re« quiring the special facilities, offered by the institute, and therefore,-one pro* perly referable to that body.