THAMES SCHOOL OF MINES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 234, 3 October 1932, Page 11

THAMES SCHOOL OF MINES.

ECONOMY RECOMMENDATION. APPREHENSION EXPRESSED* (From Our Own Correspondent.) THAMES, Sunday. Considerable apprehension has been expressed locally lest the recommendations affecting Thames in the final report of the National Expenditure Commission 6hould be adopted. It recommended that two of the schools of mines be closed, and suggested either Thames or Waihi and Reefton. It considered that it should be possible by reorganisation in the remaining echools at Huntly, Westport and the Otago University to provide tuition for all who require it. The saving would be £1000. Another recommendation that affects Thames is for a saving of £7000 in the amount provided for assistance to enable prospecting to be carried out. The Commission states that considerable expenditure is now being incurred by the Unemployment Board for the same purpose, and the charge on the Consolidated Fund should bo suspended, as assistance should not be given from two sources. When the report was brought under the notice of Mr. C. S. Donovan, president of the Thames School of Mines Council, he said the closing of the school had never been hinted to the council. An emergency meeting of the council is to be called immediately, and every effort made to protect the interests of the town. The Thames School has been Working at high pressure for a considerable time owing to the increased activity in the gold mining industry at Thames and throughout the goldfield, and the closing of the school would be a grave setback to the industry. As regards assistance from the Consolidated Fund for prospecting, very little has been expended in this district during the last few years.