14 F. B. GUTHRIE. 



which contain matter of more than usual scientific interest 

 have been published in the Agricultural Gazette and in the 

 Journal of this Society. 



The Laboratory, Customs Department, is under the direc- 

 tion of Mr. T. H. Norrie, with two assistants, the chief 

 being Mr. Peck. In Mr. Nome's laboratory, which is in 

 the Customs building, work connected with the analysis of 

 articles for revenue purposes is carried out. The work 

 covers a large area, especially since the Federal Tariff has 

 been in operation, and includes the examination of spirits 

 for revenue purposes, alcohol, beer, bitters, extracts, etc., 

 patent medicines, teas, oils — burning and lubricating — kero- 

 sene by its flashing point, the discrimination of wool, silk, 

 cotton in dress material and flax, hemp, and jute ; paints 

 and enamels, and so forth. 



The Chemical Laboratory, Explosives Department, is under 

 the charge of Mr. W. C. Wain, f.c.s. Here are examined 

 all explosives used for commercial purposes, principally 

 mining. Every shipment which arrives is sampled and 

 examined. The explosives for the Imperial Departments 

 are examined by their own inspector of warlike stores. 

 There appears to be no local supervision of ammunition etc. 

 supplied to the State. Mr. Wain also makes examinations 

 for the Railway Department in the case of the carriage of 

 dangerous goods, and acts as Inspector of Magazines 

 throughout New South Wales. 



The Laboratory, Royal Mint. — The operations at the Mint 

 are of course principally of a chemical nature and include 

 refining and assaying. This work is in the charge of Mr. 

 Bayly, the chief assayer, with two assistant assayers. 



Private Firms Employing Chemists. 

 The Colonial Sugar Refining Company employs upwards 

 of 70 chemists, partly at their laboratory in Sydney and 



