WORK AND POSITION OF THE TEMPORARY INSTITUTE. 
in obtaining the necessary resources for the work. The newspaper com- 
panies in Western Australia are importing and presenting to the Insti- 
tute an experimental paper-pulping machine, at a cost of £500, and an 
experimental beater is being loaned to the Institute. 
3. Tanning Materials—Although there are several trees in Australia 
of which the barks are rich in tanning substances, at present we import 
wattle bark and tanning extracts from other countries. The barks of 
the trees in question are not used, for the reason that they suffer from 
certain disabilities, such, for example, as imparting to the leather an 
undesirable red colour, and no adequate scientific effort has been made 
to solve the problem. The Institute has carried out experimental work 
with a view to the utilization of Queensland Mangrove bark as a tanning 
material, and a process has been devised of getting rid of ‘the objection- 
uble red colour. As 4 result, tanners in Brisbane are prepared to utilize 
this bark on a commercial basis. The Institute has also made pre- 
liminary investigations as to the utilization of Western Australian 
Redgum, but has been unable to follow this matter up, as the services 
of a properly qualified leather chemist in Australia are unprocurable. . It 
has recommended the appointment of such an officer for a fixed period. 
4. Zamia Palms.—The question of utilizing the bulbous stems of 
these palms as a raw material for the manufacture of starch and alcohol 
has been fully investigated. It has been found that the inner cores of 
the stems contain about the same percentage of starch as potatoes. The 
question of their commercial utilization depends mainly upon the cost 
at which the material can be collected. 
5. Grass T'ree Resin.—Large quantities of this resin were previously. 
exported to Germany. There is now a large demand for it from America. 
‘The Institute is carrying out a fundamental investigation of the resin 
with a view to its more economical commercial utilization in this country. 
6. Western Australian Sandalwood.—The oil obtained from this'tree 
differs slightly from the sandalwood oil described in the British Phar- 
macopeia. An investigation is being carried out into the chemical 
composition and therapeutic value of the oil, with a view to its inclusion 
in the British Pharmacopoeia, and thus to opening up a new industry. ° 
O.— Manufacturing Industries. 
1. Leather and Tanning.—The tanning industry is one of the most 
important secondary industries in Australia. If given assistance in . 
developing along scientific lines, it is capable of immense expansion. The 
Institute has already carried out certain experimental work, and has 
recommended improved methods for wattle-bark tanning. The Tanning 
School of the Sydney Technical College is co-operating in this work. 
2. Pottery.—Though there are numerous deposits of high-class clays 
and kaolins in Australia, owing to the absence of scientific work they 
are not yet used for the manufacture of high-class white earthenware, 
such as is ordinarily used for dinner services, &e. The Institute is 
carrying out investigations at Ballarat, where a great number of clays 
have been tested, and very successful results have so far been obtained. 
Experiments are now being conducted on a larger scale, and it is 
expected that they will lead to the establishment of a new and important 
industry. The Ballarat School of Mines is co-operating in the work. — 
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