H—34

A ginger wine contained 34 per cent, of alcohol and can hardly be regarded either as a wine or as a " compound cordial." In such cases more accurate labelling should be insisted on. The same sample contained an excessive amount of salicylic acid as well as sulphur dioxide. A few samples of ice-cream were deficient in milk-fat, and a few contained more milk-fat than is permitted by the emergency regulations. lodized salt in general contained the correct amount of iodide. Some samples of minced meat contained excessive amounts of sulphur dioxide. A "' pineapple " marmalade was found to contain no pineapple. A port wine contained only 10 per cent, of alcohol, and the seller was convicted of false and misleading labelling. Samples of rose-hip syrup contained from 13 mg. to 210 mg. of ascorbic acid per 100 ml. It is now proposed to fix a minimum standard of 200 mg. A considerable number of sausage samples contained less than 75 per cent, of meat, and some contained excessive amounts of sulphur dioxide. Syrups (or cordials) were sometimes unsatisfactory in that they contained synthetic colouring substances without declaration or contained excessive amounts of preservatives. These are matters which will receive attention. Twelve brands of tea, tested as the result of suggestions of adulteration, were found to comply with the Standard. A large number of wine samples were examined. Twenty-four New Zealand wines contained synthetic colouring substances, and thirty-seven were condemned on account of excessive acidity. Organic Much of the work of the Organic Section is reported under the headings " Toxicology '' and '" General Investigations " and some under the heading " Food and Drugs." In connection with the Botany Division's programme on the production of medicinal plants in New Zealand, belladonna, henbane, and stramonium were examined for alkaloid content. A quantity of mixed alkaloids was extracted from pukatea bark to be used as a source of pukateine for clinical experiments overseas. A considerable number of natural and synthetic rubber hoses and gaskets were examined to specifications for resistance to oil, petrol, and glycol. Sediments from hydraulic systems and petrol-filters were examined and were found to have originated from anti-knock compounds or decomposition products from rubber fittings. Rubber adhesives were examined for suitability for use in making mortar-bomb tail covers. Other matters dealt with included arecoline hydrobromide, a cable wrapping supposed to have caused dermatitis and which was found to contain coal-tar pitch, solutions of rubber seatings for spillway gates, oils from India, Australian and New Zealand starches,, " manila " rope and canvas which consisted of cotton fibre, plastics, and adhesives. A commencement has been made with analyses of New Zealand woods with a view to the utilization of waste material. Toxicology Poisons detected in police exhibits included aconite, arsenic, barbitone, belladonna,, bismuth, Black Leaf 40, carbon monoxide, chloroform, hydrochloric acid, and sodium nitrite. Alcohol was determined in blood and in urine in cases of fatal accidents. Several cases of death or severe illness resulted from the accidental taking of sodium nitrite, which is commonly and legitimately used in meat-pickling. A regulation has now been made to control the use and labelling of this dangerous substance. Two deaths caused by the accidental use of poison transferred to bottles bearing other labels indicate the danger of this practice. One death was due to " Black Leaf 40 " and the other to arsenical weed-killer. In the latter case a residue of cough mixture in the bottle used made the contents appear very similar to cough mixture.

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