12 F. B. GUTHRIE. 



railways. Paints, lubricants, oils, stone, cement, asphalte, 

 metals and materials used in building construction, the 

 clothing of police, soldiers, postmen, prison and asylum 

 warders; foods, drugs, soap and stores used in asylums and 

 charitable institutions are also examined. Foods and drugs 

 taken by the inspectors in the working of the Public Health 

 Act, and stomachs and other internal organs sent by the 

 police and Department of Justice come here together with 

 medicines and drugs used for illegal purposes. Coal, water 

 and general stores used in His Majesty's navy; kerosene, 

 petroleum spirit, motor-car fuel and dangerous goods sub- 

 mitted by the Department of Navigation; articles such as 

 illicit spirits, beer, etc., for the Excise; articles from the 

 the Customs involving questions of duty ; spirits from the 

 different hotels sent by the police, methylated spirits 

 and tobacco all contribute to the work of this department. 

 Mr. Hamlet is assisted by Messrs. T. Cooksey, Ph. d., f.i.c., 

 W. M. Doherty, f.i.c, and H. V. Nicholls. 



The Analyst and Assay or, Department of Mines. — The 

 chemical work required by the Department of Mines was 

 in the early days of the department performed by Mr. W. 

 A. Dixon, f.i.c, F.c.s., and later, by the late Government 

 Analyst, Mr. Charles Watt. In 1887, the work largely 

 increasing, the Department of Mines decided to equip a 

 chemical laboratory of their own, and a start was made in 

 that direction in the old buildings situated under the Geo- 

 logical Museum in Macquarie-street. Mr. J.C.H.Mingaye, 

 who had held the position of assistant to the Government 

 Analyst for some years, was appointed to take charge. In 

 1890 the chemical laboratory was removed to the premises 

 at present occupied by the Agricultural Chemical Laboratory, 

 and on the starting of the Government Metallurgical Works 

 at Clyde, in 1896, was again removed to the new buildings. 

 The premises have been added to on several occasions, 

 and are thoroughly equipped with appliances and apparatus. 





