REEFTON NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1943, Page 2

REEFTON NOTES

[our own corresponded.]

REEFTON, May 15. Mr. J. B. Auld presided at the monthly meeting of the Council oi Reef tori School of Mines. The Undersecretary Mines Department advised .that a subsidy would be paid to the School on. the sale of assay beans. The Director (Mr. W. J. Bolitho) submitted reports for March and April. Twenty-five students were enrolled at Reef ton, two at Waiuta, eight at Wallsend and six at Blackball. The classes all showed increased attendance over last year’s figures, paiticularly that, at Reefton where there were eleven in the gas testing class. The School had now a much larger number of students than had been the case for many years. c Twentythree pupils from Reef ton High School are also attending the School for classes in general mining instruction. During April a class was commenced at Wallsend to instruct shiltmen in methods of installing underground machinery. Mr. 1. Lockington, mine manager, is in charge, but .the School is conducting this new class. There are 11 members attending the First Aid class, a substantial increase. In the laboratory tor Mai ch 24 samples were handled as follow: 17 quartz samples, 5 bullion assays, iwo coal dust samples. For April, 37 samples were received, 29 quartz, lour coal dust, and four bullion assays. The assay work is increasing. Prior to the commencement of the business of the meeting the chairman referred to the death of Mr. James Noble, a member of the School Council for many years. He moved that the sympathy of the Council be conveyed to the Noble family. Mr. Archer, a Councillor had also lost a sister, Mrs. Buckland and it was resolved that the sympathy of the Council be conveyed to Mr. Archer. Further loss of key players, and extra duty for members in the Home Guard and the adoption of only a monthly practice caused by members working shifts in coal mines, are the main comments in the annual report of the Inangahua Silver Band. This is the first occasion in almost 50 years of service that the Band has been so reduced in numbers and playing strength.