H.—34.

Analyses have been carried out on samples of water, soaps, oils, and chemicals used by the industry. Amongst the inquiries dealt with by the Association have been those relating to the possibilities of alternative chemicals and dyes, and sources of supply ; processing technique ; new processes and equipment; and corrosion of metals. Work has now been started to discover the possibilities of the wool-textile industry making more use, as a textile lubricant, of the abundant supplies of locally produced neatsfoot oil. A survey of the possibilities of introducing into the country some form of textile education, which is sorely needed by the industry, was unavoidably interrupted by the outbreak of war. This will be continued as soon as possible. Probably one of the greatest contributions the Association is making at present to the industry is in emphasizing the necessity of, and in showing the advantages to be gained through, stricter chemical and mechanical control during processing. A monthly letter, which was circulated to the members until the end of 1939, has now been replaced by a quarterly bulletin. Some of the principal subjects discussed have been " Testing," " Variability in Woollen Carding," " Worsted Drawing and Spinning," " Woollen Batching Oils," " Wool Grease," and " pH Control in the Mill." The resources of the British Wool Industries Research Association at Torridon have proved most valuable, and the generous help given, when consulted on many questions during the year, has been greatly appreciated. RADIO RESEARCH. Advisory Committee— Professor J. Shelley (Chairman), Professor P. W. Burbidge (Auckland), Professor D. C. H. Florance (Wellington), Professor R. Jack (Duncdin), Professor F. W. G. White (Christchurch), Squadron-leader E. M. E. Grundy (Air Department), Captain G. H. Heal (N.Z.S.C., Army Headquarters), Mr. E. H. R. Green (Post and Telegraph Department), Mr. J. R. Smith (National Broadcasting Service), Dr. M. A. E. Barnett (Dominion Meteorologist), Dr. E. R. Cooper (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research), (Secretary). During the year Dr. Kreielsheimer took up his appointment as Research Physicist, working under this committee at Auckland University. Before arriving in New Zealand he spent some three weeks in Sydney making contact, through the kindness of the Commonwealth Radio Research Board, with the latest developments in that centre. Since May he has been working at Auckland mainly on cathode-ray direction-finding. During this year also Mr. C. J. Banwell relinquished his position as a Research Physicist working under this committee at Canterbury University College and proceeded to England to gain experience in radio research there. On account of the outbreak of war, considerable difficulty has been experienced in continuing research uninterruptedly owing to staff changes. The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year :— (I) The Reception of Distant Signals Research. (a) Field Intensity Measurement.-—Some fifty photographic records of the intensity of Daventry broadcasts were made. The early records show pronounced fading fluctuations which were later reduced by damping ; the transmissions (in the 15 Mc/s band with 50 kw. output) between 21 hours G.M.T. and 24 hours G.M.T. towards South America and New Zealand consistently exhibit a maximum at about 22.00 G.M.T., with a gradual falling off of intensity at 24.00 G.M.T. Between 01.00 G.M.T. and Q 02.00 G.M.T. there is a rapid rise in field strength of the 9-51 Mc/s transmission on bearing 224" E. to a maximum at about 04.00 G.M.T., after which the signal strength remains sensibly constant until about 06.00 G.M.T. Comparison of transmissions directed to Canada and New Zealand on 9-51 Mc/s showed a maximum for the average value of 250 micro-volts per metre (peak values of fluctuations exceeding 400 fj. v/m). The accuracy of measurement of field strength was estimated at 18 per cent. (b) Cathode-ray Direction-finding.—Receivers for this system have been completed, the modulation input was built, the aerial system surveyed, a field oscillator built, and a phase compensator designed and built. The whole of the apparatus was aligned, and photographs of ellipses were obtained recording the bearings of Berlin from broadcast transmission. It is intended to redesign certain parts of the apparatus. (c) Distribution of Atmospherics on Different Wave-lengths.—A single receiver and recorder has been employed, relative determinations of the intensities of various wave-lengths being made by observations of different bursts of static. The static burst was recorded on a rotating drum, provision being made automatically for the wave-length of reception to be altered through a range of values for one complete rotation of the drum. The period of rotation was thirty minutes, for which twentyfive bursts per minute could be dealt with satisfactorily. The following conclusions relate to-re-cords taken on 15,000 metres :— (1) There is in general greater activity by night than by day. (2) Frequently the activity diminishes just before sunset and increases again during the night. 8 (3) During a quiet period of the day the activity consists of about ten bursts per mimjte, and during the night twenty-five bursts per minute.

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