160 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
[Mar. 
ANTHROPOLOGY. 
Balfour, H., Some Specimens from the Chatham Islands, Man, vol. 17, pp. 145-49, 
Oct., 1918. 
The fine specimens include a bone dagger believed to be unique, a mata pre¬ 
senting analogies with the mataa of Easter Island, and a statuette in pumice with 
“staring” ribs which bears a general resemblance to the wooden figures of Easter 
Island. 
Cheeseman, T. F., Maori Burial-chests, Man, vol. 18, p. 81, figs. 1-7, 1918. 
Hocart, A. M., A Point of Grammar and a Study in Method, Amer. Anthropologist (n.s.), 
vol. 20, pp. 265-79, 1918. 
A study of Melanesian and Polynesian possessive pronouns, exposing the 
defects of the psychological and the culture-fusion theories which have been put 
forward to explain their number. 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
Manufacture of Chemicals and Drugs. 
Sir,- —I note with interest a letter by the Hon. G. M. Thomson in 
your November issue on the above subject. I agree most heartily 
with Mr. Thomson’s contention, but whilst urging a more comprehensive 
investigation of the subject on a commercial scale we must at the same time 
recognize as an inspiration to further efforts what is already being done 
by the chemists and industrialists, for it indicates that definite commercial 
results are available. 
The most successful effort in the Christchurch district during the war 
has been the erection of a fair-sized sulphuric-acid plant by the Woolston 
Tanneries. But in addition to this the following chemicals and materials 
are being manufactured on a small scale : Iron hydrate and oxide and 
oxide paint, caustic soda, calcium carbide, potassium permanganate, sodium 
phosphate (Parrish’s Food), and sodium sulphite. Of these, four—viz., 
iron hydrate, caustic soda, calcium carbide, and potassium permanganate 
—are produced by directly electrical processes. The manufacture of rennet 
and compressed yeast have also been firmly established. 
These have all been undertaken without Government assistance except 
in the case of the iron oxide, towards which a direct grant of £250 was 
made by the Department of Industries. 
These results by no means cover the whole ground. With the exception 
of the sulphuric acid, compressed yeast, and rennet, they are commercially 
still in the experimental stages, and a great deal of effort will still be 
necessary before they are fully established, even if the prices justify their 
continuance after shipping conditions have again become normal. The 
great importance of the matter is indicated by the comparative pre-war 
and present-day prices given in Mr. Thomson’s letter in the case of a large 
number of other chemicals and drugs. 
Christchurch, 30th December, 1918. Birks. 
By Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington. 
[1,800/2/19-2556 
