A method of parallel dispensing powder samples materials comprising: a) providing at least two powder sample holders , each said sample holder having a through passage having a first aperture through which powder is introduced into said passage and a second aperture through which powder, when permitted to do so, flows from said passage; b) introducing powder samples into respective sample holders ; c) aligning said second aperture of each said holder with an aperture of a respective sample receptacle ; and d) substantially simultaneously permitting powder to flow through said second apertures whilst agitating powder samples in said passages with agitator means which contact a wall defining said passages to aid their flow therefrom into respective receptacles wherein the method comprises sealing the second apertures of the sample holders prior to introduction therein of powder samples, wherein each agitator means comprises a stirrer mechanism , the stirrer mechanisms being reciprocally movable in parallel relative to the respective sample holders when the sample holders are located in their dispense positions, wherein said stirrer mechanisms are each mounted on a common support member reciprocal movement of which relative to a dispense location of said sample holders effects simultaneous reciprocal movement of the agitators relative to the sample holders , the method being characterized in that each stirrer mechanism comprises flexible members that, upon rotation about the axis of passage in the respective sample holder , contact the wall of the passage of the respective sample holder to sweep powder therefrom. a) providing at least two powder sample holders , each said sample holder having a through passage having a first aperture through which powder is introduced into said passage and a second aperture through which powder, when permitted to do so, flows from said passage; b) introducing powder samples into respective sample holders ; c) aligning said second aperture of each said holder with an aperture of a respective sample receptacle ; and d) substantially simultaneously permitting powder to flow through said second apertures whilst agitating powder samples in said passages with agitator means which contact a wall defining said passages to aid their flow therefrom into respective receptacles wherein the method comprises sealing the second apertures of the sample holders prior to introduction therein of powder samples, wherein each agitator means comprises a stirrer mechanism , the stirrer mechanisms being reciprocally movable in parallel relative to the respective sample holders when the sample holders are located in their dispense positions, wherein said stirrer mechanisms are each mounted on a common support member reciprocal movement of which relative to a dispense location of said sample holders effects simultaneous reciprocal movement of the agitators relative to the sample holders , the method being characterized in that each stirrer mechanism comprises flexible members that, upon rotation about the axis of passage in the respective sample holder , contact the wall of the passage of the respective sample holder to sweep powder therefrom. <EOS>