EDITORIAL. 
Experiments have recently been made to determine whether Queens- 
land asbestos can be used in place of the foreign asbestos. Much of the 
asbestos found in Queensland is harsh, woody, and weak in fibre, and 
quite useless where strength is required, as for example for fibro-cement 
_work. . ‘Experiments are, however, being made with powdered Queens- 
land asbestos to ascertain its suitability for use either with Portland 
cement or with calcined magnesite for floorings and wall linings. 
5 
Ina lecture given by Professor H. OC. Richards, D.Se., at Brisbane, 
some interesting illustrations were given of cases in which science had 
been applied with success to industry in Australia. Professor Richards 
drew special attention to three scientific investigations of importance 
to manufacturers in. Brisbane. These are:— : 
1. Utilization of Mangrove Bark for Tanning. 
2. The reduction of Ash Content in Coal. 
3. Investigation of Clays for Pottery Work. 
As regards the first of these, Professor Richards pointed out that 
before the war large quantities of Australian barks, including mangrove, 
were used in Germany for making extracts for tanning, which were 
imported into Australia. The German chemists had solved the problems 
of decolourization and of the removal of undesirable gummy matter. 
The Institute of Science and Industry has investigated this matter, and 
had been successful in devising a process which gets rid of the dis- 
agreeable red colour in mangrove bark tanned leather. 
The decrease of the ash content of the coal used in Brisbane would 
be of immense advantage to coal consumers. Considerably more than 
half the ash in the coal consists of grit, which occurs in bands through 
the coal, and experiments have shown that a large proportion of this 
could be removed by coal washing devices. Coal is crushed to about 
{-inch sizes and the dirt and grit separated by gravity, the total cost 
being usually a matter of a few pence per ton. 
An investigation of the clays which are available near Brisbane 
could be carried out with much advantage. Olays suitable for many 
purposes are available, and the opportunity of extending the pottery 
industry should be very favorable. 
YEASTS AND BREAD-MAKING. 
Valuable progress has been made in the experimental work which 
is being carried out by the Institute in connexion with the above matter, 
and the results obtained promise to be of considerable industrial value, 
especially in connexion with the solution of the day-baking problem. 
The Special Committee which is supervising the work, and which con- 
sists of Professor H. G. Chapman (Sydney University), and Mr. J,° 
Nangle, Director of Technical Education, New South Wales, reports 
that it has prepared yeasts which ripen doughs weighing 400 lbs. in fiye 
hours when used in quantities of about 3 oz. moist. The Committee hag 
carried out a continuous demonstration since 1916 at the School of 
Bakery, Sydney Technical College, of the practicability of preparing 
bread in nine, hours, 7.e., from starting to mix the dough until the bread 
265 
