H.— 44a

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TECHNOLOGICAL STANDARDIZATION The technical committees have again been occupied mainly with the examination of draft and Standard Specifications received from the national Standards organizations in the other Englishspeaking countries, with the object of forwarding comments from New Zealand for the consideration of the originating bodies and ascertaining the suitability of the specifications for adoption as New Zealand Standard Specifications. Civil Engineering Sectional Committee. —This committee considered seven British Standards and one Australian aircraft Standard. Of the British Standards, one was recommended for adoption as a revision of an existing New Zealand Standard Specification, and one was referred to a special committee for further examination. Septic Tanks. —Draft proposals have been completed for an original Standard Specification for septic tanks for ordinary domestic use. By establishing minimum requirements for materials, dimensions, and design, this Specification will facilitate the most economic construction of septic tanks which are known to be adequate and efficient. Mechanical Sectional Committee. —Twenty-five British Standards and four draft British Standards were considered by this committee during the year. Eleven War Emergency British Standards were recommended for adoption as New Zealand Emergency Standard Specifications, and eight British Standards for adoption as Regular New Zealand Standard Specifications, one with a local amendment to suit New Zealand conditions. Bucket-pump Fire-extinguishers.—The 4-gallon bucket pump specified in the existing Specification has been found to be too heavy for use by women and children in schools, hospitals, and the like. As bucket pumps are considered to be the most efficient first-aid fire-fighting appliances, the existing Standard Specification is now being revised with the object of providing for a size, in addition to the 4-gallon size. Fusion-welded Steel Tanks.—At the request of the interested parties, a Standard Specification is being prepared for fusion-welded steel tanks, which are widely used in country districts throughout New Zealand for fresh-water pressure supply systems. It has been found that, in the absence of adequate minimum requirements in respect of design and construction, many of these tanks are unable to withstand the necessary pressure, with the result that several tanks have burst due to this cause. The Standard Specification when issued will avoid the potential source of injury and the economic loss which such defective equipment involves. Electrical Sectional Committee. —During the year twenty-two British Standards were examined by this committee. Of these, five were recommended for adoption as regular New Zealand Standard Specifications, and two as New Zealand Emergency Standard Specifications. One amendment to a British Standard already adopted in New Zealand was recommended for incorporation in the corresponding New Zealand Standard Specification. Domestic Electrical Appliances. —Arising out of requests from several widely representative responsible interests, attention has been given to the question of preparing Standard Specifications for the complete range of domestic electrical equipment with the object of eliminating the fire and shock hazards involved. The establishment of such Standard Specifications would enable the Standard Mark to be used as a means of certifying that equipment on which it appeared was so constructed as to be safe, efficient, and economical in use. Chemical Sectional Committee. —This committee has examined eleven British Standards, four amendment slips, two Australian Standards, and nineteen American Standards. Of these, two British Standards have been recommended for adoption as New Zealand Standards, while four amendments to British Standards previously adopted in New Zealand have been recommended for incorporation in the New Zealand Standards. Inks. —Five Standard Specifications for Writing Inks, Drawing Inks, Stamp Pad Inks, and Ink Powder have been completed and issued. These Specifications have been prepared in consultation with the local manufacturers, who have been called upon to supply the whole of the Dominion's requirements in view of the fact that imported inks are no longer available. Rot-proofing. —A special committee has continued to consider the question of preparing Standard Specifications for the rot-proofing of textile materials. Throughout the year, further testing of various textiles treated with different preservatives has been carried out with the object of obtaining the basic data necessary for the establishment of sound conclusions upon which to base the appropriate Standard Specification. Timber-preservation.—The necessity to utilize non-heart timber for building-construction makes this project of the utmost urgency, as it is only by effective preservative treatment that sap timbers can be rendered sufficiently durable and resistant to insect and fungi attack. An investigatory committee representative of the various interested Government Departments, was formed during the year to examine all the available information and to reach agreement upon the nature of the provisions which should be included in a Standard Specification. After a thorough examination of the whole position, the committee concluded that although pressure impregnation constitutes the most effective treatment, in the absence of adequate and suitable equipment for this type of treatment, it should proceed with the formulation of an interim Emergency Standard for the dipping process which will ensure the use of the most satisfactory treatment permitted by the equipment available. A draft Specification has been completed for submission to a committee fully representative of all the affected interests.