ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTE. 
Wuirrt Ant Pest. 
Arrangements have been made for experimental work regarding the 
white ant pest in co-operation with the New South Wales Department 
of Agriculture, and a Special Committee has been appointed. An 
abstract of information on the subject has been prepared for the use 
of members of the Special Committee, which will hold its first meeting 
to formulate a scheme of work at an early date. 
Waite HartHenware I[nvestricarron. 
Highly encouraging results have now been obtained from the labora- 
tory experiments which have been carried out at Ballarat into the 
manufacture of white earthenware. It is now desirable to continue 
the tests on a larger scale, and for that purpose the Minister (Mr. 
Massy Greene) has agreed to an additional grant of £250 for the pur- 
chase of further apparatus and equipment. The Ballarat School of 
Mines and the Eureka Pottery and Tile Company are co-operating in 
the work, and are lending apparatus. If results already obtained are 
confirmed, there is every prospect of establishing the manufacture of 
high-grade white potteryware in Australia. Similarly in Western Aus- 
tralia a large amount of experimental work has been carried out into the 
suitability of various clays. The results are now being co-ordinated with 
a view to their publication. Already consideral ‘ihe assistance of a 
practical nature has been given to persons engaged in the pottery in- 
dustry. The work is being carried out in co-oper ation with the Western 
Australian Government. 
Worm Nopures in Carrre, 
The Special Committee in New South Wales inquiring into worm 
nodules in cattle has obtained additional evidence as a result of the ex- 
perimental work with regard to what had been previously found. viz., 
that the intermediate host must be a flying insect, and is probably a 
species of march-fly. It is hoped that the experimental work now being 
arranged for the forthcoming fly season will definitely settle this question. — 
Srarcy rrom Zamra Pawtm. 
At the Sydney University investigations by Dr. Harker on the utili- 
zation of the Zamia palm as a source of industrial alcohol or starch 
have been completed. They show that yields obtainable are very similar 
to those obtained from potatoes. Largely as a result of these investiga- 
tions the New South Wales Forestry Commissioners have called for 
tenders for clearing lands covered with macrozamia, and it appears 
likely that the plants will be used for the manufacture OE starch on a 
commercial scale. 
ENGINEERING Sranparps Assocrarion. 
The standard specifications and drawings for structural steel sec- 
tions, railway rails, and tramway rails have been completed, and are 
now in the printer’s hands. The standardization of these three materials 
alone will result in large economies, and will enable Australian manu- 
facturers to supply local requirements to a much larger extent than 
hitherto. Recently a representative of the Institute attended the first 
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