H—34

OVERSEAS LIAISON The Scientific Liaison Officers in London, Washington, and Australia have rendered valuable service during the year, maintaining close contact with the research work in their spheres. The volume of technical information coming forward to the Department is continuing to increase and is being handled by the Technical Information Section. With the cessation of hostilities there has been a further decline in information on war projects, with a corresponding increase in requirements for civil and departmental purposes. A very wide range of inquiries has been dealt with, and the information received has greatly assisted the Department in keeping abreast with research development in Great Britain, the United States of America, and Australia. INFORMATION SECTION Technical Information A large number of inquiries under this heading have been received during the year. These have either been answered by the officers of the section or referred to the divisions for a more detailed reply. A selection of these inquiries is as follows : Phormium tenax ; production of lactic acid by fermentation of whey ; chemical control of weeds ; commercial possibilities of seaweed ; hormones for rooting of cuttings ; toasting of tobacco ; control of insect pests ; water divining ; harvesting of grain crops by suction apparatus ; preservation of tools from abrasive action of plastics. The lack of suitable trained staff has limited the amount of work done, but it is anticipated that this service will be called upon to an increasing extent in the future. Full use was made of liaison officers overseas in the gathering of information, and close collaboration has been maintained with the Manufacturers' Research Committee in the handling of inquiries from industry. Publications Journal of Science and Technology. —The Journal continues to be published monthly. The size has remained fairly constant at about eighty pages to meet the steady flow of material for publication. The circulation of the Journal, especially overseas, has increased considerably this year owing to the reopening of postal services to many countries, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain, France, China, Netherlands, Eire, and the South American republics. Bulletins. —The following bulletins have recently been published, are in hand, or about to leave the press : No. 92 : " Soil Erosion in the High Country of the South Island," by J. D. Raeside, H. Gibbs, et al. ss. No. 93 : " Prospecting and Mining the Claredon Phosphate Deposits," by R. W. Willett (in press). No. : " Soil Survey of the Hawke's Bay " (maps in hand). Maps.— The following maps are being printed : —■ Soil map of the North Island (4 ml. to the inch), (in seventeen colours; eight sheets). Soil erosion maps to accompany Bulletin No. 92 (in six colours ; three sheets). Hawke's Bay soil maps. Te Kuiti Subdivision maps to accompany the Geological Survey Bulletin. Industrial Bulletin. —During the year arrangements have been made with the Department of Industries and Commerce for the joint publication of an Industrial Bulletin. This is an abstract bulletin and is published primarily for the use of manufacturers.

109