334 



Samples Referred to in your Letter of 1st December, Dark amber 

 sheet in rolls. The rolls have arrived in excellent condition ; there is. 

 however a very marked difference between these and the other rolls, 

 in that these are quite free from moisture, not nearly so tightly wound, 

 and the sheet does not adhere in the same way as in each of the other 

 rolls. The rubber more closely resembles the medium smoked sheet 

 on the market. It is clean and very strong. In the present market 

 this would probably be more valuable than any of the others, as it 

 could be passed as F. A. Q. Smoked sheet. At present buyers look 

 for even darker colour than this, that is to say, more thoroughly 

 smoked. Value about 5/8. per lb. 



Comparing all the various samples in the most important respect, 

 viz. strength, the two cases (your letter 17/ 10/ 10) and the three 

 pounds post sample (your letter 1/12/10) seem to be about equal. 

 None of the other samples are as good. 



I may mention that the question of the excessive percentage of 

 " resin " present in some of the specimens of smoked Para rubber 

 from Singapore has been carefully investigated here. The high 

 figures obtained in certain cases have been found to be due to the pre- 

 sence in the rubber of a sugar-like constituent, derived from the latex 

 which is removed by hot acetone and is therefore included with the 

 resin as usually determined. In the three other specimens of smoked 

 Para Rubber forwarded with your letter of the I Ith January the 

 percentage of this constituent has been determined and the amount of 

 resin corrected. A report on these specimens will be forwarded to 

 you in a few days. 



I am, Dear Sirs, 



Yours faithfully, 

 (Signed) WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN. 



London, 2nd February, igily 



Dear Sir, 



In further reply to your letter of the 29th December. 



The samples referred to therein have now come to hand and we 

 have had them unpacked for the last week or two carefully examining 

 their condition, etc. 



The samples are as follows: — Dark brown, thin, ribbon in the form 

 of rolls. The rubber has arrived in excellent condition, there 

 being only the slightest trace, here and there, of any mouldiness 

 between the layers. 



The rubber seems to have been thoroughly dried and the curing 

 is very even and appears thorough and satisfactory. The rolls in the 

 portion marked 5-lbs. 7^ ozs. are rather duller looking and greyer 

 than those marked 6-lbs. 12-ozs. which are a richer brown in colour. 



