Report of Society's Meetings. 197 



"lower rates, should be appointed. In the United States each sample of 

 Sugar is polarized by two men whose mean result is taken as the 

 basis of settlement, and the charge for each sample is only 60 cents. 



3rd. The question as to the annual amount derived from Polariza_ 

 tion Fees does not concern this committee. Many more samples would 

 be polarized if the fee was reduced, and Polarizers of Sugar might be 

 men who have other means of subsistence. 



4th. The Government Analytical Chemist might well be called in 

 where the teaching of Polarization was required, together with the 

 testing of instruments, and the granting of certificates to qualified per- 

 sons to polarize Sugar — for all of which he may be allowed to charge 

 a fee. 



5th. As a matter of fa£t, Polarizers differ considerably in their tests, 

 and the Government Chemist has been no exception to the rule. Cir- 

 cumstances, such as weather, affeft Sugar, and samples from the same 

 cargoes taken in dry weather, varied considerably when tested during 

 heavy rains. 



6th. It cannot but be expected that the appointment of Sworn 

 Polarizers, equally acceptable to buyer and seller, will reduce to a 

 large extent, the present income of the Government Chemist, received 

 for private (professional?) work, such as the Polarization of Sugar, 

 and naturally he is against the representations of this Committee as 

 to the necessity of such appointments. 



WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, 

 Hon: Secretary. 



The President reported having received two further 

 donations towards the extension of the Museum and its 

 fittings, viz.: —Mr. John McConnell, £50; Mr. Stewart 

 Gardner, $100. 



The thanks of the Society were heartily accorded for 

 these donations, and the Secretary directed to communi- 

 cate the same to these gentlemen. 



The Secretary read a letter from Mr. J. S. Da Costa 

 asking for information as to the construction of a corn 

 kiln, for which the Society offers the premium, also 

 another letter from Mr. A. Shanks to the same effect:. 



