32 Government petroleum leases. This proposal, however, does not in any way conflict with the long-standing policy of encouragement of private petroleum enterprises to which the Government looks to supply the daily increasing demand for petroleum products by public utility companies and private consumers in Egypt.

The quarrying industry expanded during the year notwithstanding the high prices of labour and material, and it would seem that the building trade is now only held back by shortage of structural steel and imported timber.

13. Analytical Laboratory and Assay Office.

At the Government Analytical Laboratory the samples examined for the purpose of controlling the quality of Government materials and stores increased in number materially during the period of the war.

The amount of work dealt witfi was also greater than in previous years, owing to the necessity for more searching methods of analysis in view of the extending practice of subtler forms of adulteration, and the investigation of a number of technical chemical problems, each of which involved a considerable amounh of study and experimental research. Prominent among the latter was the question of cement supplies for the new masonry dams on the Blue and White Niles.

On behalf of the Railways Department, an enquiry was made into the cause of the frequent outbreaks of fire in cotton while in transit by rail, and a report was issued containing recommendations as to how the danger might be minimised.

The Government Analytical Laboratory was also able to assist in solving some of the economic difficulties which arose in Egypt in consequence of the war. Thus, owing to increased requirements elsewhere, there was a shortage of cement for Government purposes, and the Department was able to show how this could be minimised by the use of certain substitutes and the adoption of more economical methods. The gas companies at Cairo and Alexandria found it necessary to substitute “mazout’’ for coal, and technical advice was given as to the most practical means of effecting this change in the gas-making process.

Chemico-legal work was undertaken in many important cases. In one of these a claim for land valued at £E. 1.5,000,000 was made against the Government, but examination in tlie laboratory showed that out of 168 documents presented in support of the claim, no less than 163 were forged.

The trade in spurious alcoholic liquors was made illegal by two proclamations under martial law issued early in 1915. During the following twelve months about 1,500 samples of such liquors were analysed, and over 30 per cent, were found to be adulterated or wrongly described.

During the war the resources of the Department were placed freely at the disposal of the British army in Egypt. The work done included the analysis of army supplies for the purpose ot controlling their quality, technical advice on chemical problems and special work of a conMential nature for the Intelligence Department.

At the Assay Office the principal event was the passing of the Assay Law (No. 19 of 1916). Although during the war it was found difficult to maintain a thorough inspection of goldsmiths and silversmiths, and thus ensure complete compliance with the law, the effects were, nevertheless, most beneficial. The proportion of gold and silver wares which escaped hall-marking diminished very considerably, and the public were protected against fraud. to a correspondingly greater extent.

The gross assay dues rose from £E. 2,585 in 1914 to£E. 32,027 in 1918, although the rate of fees charged was reduced by about one-half.

During 1919 the Government Analytical Laboratory was engaged in the chemical (and physical) examination of materials, stores, &c., technical chemical consultations, and experimental chemical researches.

The work under the first of these headings C/Onsistedly chiefly in the inspection, by analysis and testing, of materials and stores supplied to Government departments, and a great saving of.money was undoubtedly effected. The same applies to the testing of the illuminating gas suipplied to Cairo, which, as the result of regular examination month by month throughout the year was kept up to the highest standard of quality consistent with the difficulties in obtaining satisfactory raw materials.

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