H.—44a,

Ceramic Committee. (One meeting.) This committee lias been called together to undertake the preparation of a New Zealand Standard Specification for Building Bricks which can be cited in the part of the New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws dealing with Masonry Buildings of Bearing Wall Construction. The committee decided that, as a preliminary step in this direction, representative samples of bricks manufactured in different parts of the country should be tested for porosity and crushing strength. When the results of these tests come to hand a draft standard specification will be drawn up and circulated to the interested parties for comment. Timber Building Code Committee. (Five meetings.) This committee has completed its consideration of the comments received from the interested parties upon the draft proposals for Part XI, Light Timber Construction, of the New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws. This part of the Standard Code has now to be formally approved by the committee and subjected to legal scrutiny before it is forwarded to the Standards Council as being suitable for adoption as a New Zealand Standard. As soon as this w'ork has been completed the committee will turn its attention to the completion of Part XII, Heavy Timber Construction, of the Standard Code. Cost Accounting Terminology Committee. (Six meetings.) This committee has made good progress in the work of preparing a New Zealand Standard Code of Cost Accounting Terminology. The committee is examining and redrafting basic definitions published by the British Institute of Cost and Works Accountants as a guide, but also intends to include certain definitions for which experience has proved there exists a definite need. The code, when issued, will fill a recognized need of industry and will no doubt establish a firm step towards general uniformity of costing terms. As a dictionary for use by students of cost accounting and others, the standard code will do much to remove the confusion and duplication which is at present demonstrated. Expressions of opinions concerning the work and progress of the committee have been obtained from authorities overseas and within the Dominion. In every case full approval and the desire to co-operate has been expressed. Road Traffic Signals Committee. (One meeting.). After considering the comments received upon the draft New Zealand Standard Code of Practice for Road Traffic Control Signals during its circulation to the interested parties for review, this subcommittee has recommended the proposals in an amended form to the Standards Council as suitable for adoption as a New Zealand Standard. The committee is now investigating the possibility of developing further standard codes and specifications for such related matters as road markings, traffic lines, and parking indications. Pram-tyres Committee. (One meeting.) After considering the relevant information available, this committee came to the conclusion that no further steps should be taken towards standardization of pram tires until supplies of wheels without tires became available. Domestic Refrigerators Committee. (Two meetings.) From the circulation of a draft British Standard Specification for Domestic Electrical Refrigerators it was ascertained that although the British proposals were not entirely suitable for New Zealand conditions there was need for a similar standardization in this country. This committee accordingly proceeded to prepare a draft New Zealand Standard Specification of this scope, using the draft British Standard Specification as a basis, and circulated the New Zealand proposals to the interested parties for comment in the usual way. The period set aside for the receipt of comments has not yet expired. Office Furniture Committee. (One meeting.) This committee has been established to prepare standards for the main items of office furniture used by Government Departments and similar organizations. From a survey of the various types of furniture recently installed in modern Government offices it was found that the use of standard equipment would effect considerable economies by avoiding the necessity for individual specifications and drawings in each case, thereby reducing special orders for furniture and fittings to a minimum with a proportionate reduction in costs.

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