20 J. B. CLELAND. 
organisation of the proposed permanent Institute, had been 
largely carried out at the date at which that report was 
issued. A meeting of the whole Advisory Council was held 
in July, 1917, when a detailed scheme for the organisation 
and work of the future Institute was discussed and ap- 
proved. This scheme was brought before the Prime Minis- 
ter, who indicated that he approved of its general prin- 
ciples. Since the 30th June last, considerable progress has 
been made with the work, though the Executive Commit- 
tee has been hampered through having to carry on (under 
the temporary organisation and with insufficient powers and 
staff, and with no laboratory accommodation of its own), 
work which should really be carried out under the perma- 
nent Institute. The Executive Committee has dealt with 
a large number of matters of a very varied nature. The 
work may be summarised under the headings, firstly, the 
more systematic investigations conducted by Special and 
Standing Committees, and by other organisations assisted 
by the Executive; secondly, matters to which the Executive 
Committee have given a large amount of attention, but 
which have not yet reached the stage at which they can be 
made the subject of systematic investigation; and thirdly, 
miscellaneous inquiries and investigations. The last class 
at present fall into no special plan, and consist largely of 
inquiries for advice made by persons engaged in industry. 
It is probable that many of them will find their place later, 
in some co-ordinated scheme of work under the permanent 
Institute; but with the staff and funds at the disposal of 
the temporary organisation, it has not been practicable to 
undertake systematic investigations regarding those of 
them which the Executive consider require such investiga- 
tion. 
II.—Investigations conducted by Special Committees. 
1. Ferro Alloys.—The work of this Committee is prac- 
tically completed. Valuable results have been obtained, 
and information has been supplied to persons interested. 
