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Other Departments.--The samples analysed for the Railway Department were principally paints, and for the State Forest Service creosote and wood-distillation products. Copra from Samoa was also examined for the Department of External Affairs. Research. —Apart from minor investigations undertaken for various Departments, research during the year was confined to preliminary work on the briquetting of slack from brown coal. The experimental press purchased by the Mines Department and erected at the Laboratory required several minor alterations, but is proving satisfactory for the work. Auckland Branch. To meet with an increasing demand for analytical work in Auckland, a branch laboratory was established early in the year, under the charge of Mr. K. M. Griffin, M.Sc., A.I.C. The number of samples analysed was —Health Department, 1,024 ; Police, 29 Customs, 7 ; Public Works, 1 : total, 1,061. Explosives Branch. Importation of Explosives. —Licenses were issued for the importation of the following explosives : Gelignite, 932,2001b.; gelatine-dynamite, 4-0,000 lb. ; blasting-gelatine, 47,500 ib. ; i 2 Monobel, 242,5001b. ; Samsonite No. 3, 125,5501b. ; blasting-powder, 179,0001b. : sporting-powder, 27,611 lb. ; pellets, 126,2501b. ; detonators, 1,850,0001b. ; E.D. fuses, 635,0001b. ; fireworks (packages) 2,064 Licenses.- —The number of licenses issued for the year is as follows : Conveyance, 287 ; storage, 339 ; sale, 667. Government Magazines. —Government magazines are now available at Wellington, West-port, Greymouth, Dunedin, and Invercargill. The arrangements under which the Department takes over explosives at the ship's side and arranges delivery to the consumer as required are now complete at all Government magazines. This extension of the magazine services has resulted in a considerable reduction in cost to the trade. Dangerous Goods. —Local Authority Administration : The Explosive and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920, which controls the storage of dangerous goods (petrol, kerosene, calcium carbide, &c.) is administered in most boroughs and town districts by the local authority under the supervision of the Department. Inspections made during the year showed that the local authority administration is in most cases very satisfactory, and in only a few instances was it necessary to call the attention of the local authority concerned to unsatisfactory conditions. Departmental Administration : The Act is administered by the Department in a number of smaller boroughs and town districts and in county areas. Greater attention has been given to this work during the year, and 906 licenses were issued, as compared with 56-3 during the previous year. . Inspection : Most of the licensed magazines and registered premises have been inspected during the year. Shipment of explosives arriving in New Zealand have been examined and tested for stability. Occasionally tests have been made on explosives stored in Government and private magazines, and tests have been also carried out on samples of cordite for the Defence Department and. the Admiralty. Most of the boroughs and town districts where the Act is administered by the local authority have been inspected during the year. The use of motor-cars by the Inspectors has enabled them to cover much more ground than in previous years. Cinematograph-film : Cinematograph-film was declared " dangerous goods " by Order in Council under the Act, and regulations have been prepared covering the storage and use of film both in the film exchanges and cinematograph-theatres. Several conferences have been held with the trade regarding the proposed regulations, and it is intended to submit the proposals to all theatre-proprietors before they are finally gazetted. It is hoped to bring the regulations into force as from the 30th September, 1925. Conclusion. Various other matters have received attention during the year, the activities of the Department covering a very wide range of subjects. I have pleasure in again acknowledging the zeal displayed by my officers and the loyal co-operation of the heads of sub-departments and sectional officers, all of whom have assisted in the smooth running of the Department; also in expressing my appreciation of the valuable and willing assistance afforded by other Departments.

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