REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 February 1932, Page 7

REEFTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.} BEEFTON, February 19. Before concluding the business at the School of Mines 7 meeting last evening, the President referred to the death of Mr N. Lawn, a member of the Council. The Council had previously passed a vote of condolence with the relatives of the deceased. He, however, wished to again express the regret that all felt in the loss of so useful a member of the School of Mines. The deceased gentleman was always ready to assist in any and every way. He was willing to assist students in solving mathematical problems, and had .given the students lectures on mining on various occasions. He would be greatly missed. Mr Thos. Dellaca, who spent the last fortnight at Maruia Springs, returned last evening, looking as if a courcc of the water had agreed with him. Mr Sidney Fry, Brunner, was a visitor to Reefton last evening. For the Iran port of stores and goods from Reefion to Big River and for those from Merrijigs to Big River. the Big River Gold Mining Company five tenders and those, the lowest, that of Mr E. V. Jones was accepted. The annual meeting of the Reel ton School of Mmes was held last even ing when there were present: Messrs Isaac Patterson (President. fcn the chair), Jas Patterson, W. B. Auld, J. W. Patterson, T. O’Brien, Jas and John Banks, R. McLean, J. Noble, S. Fry, J. Bolitho, L. I’.. Stevens (Dir ector) and J. W. Morris. Apologies for absence were received from Mi Pratt and J. B. Auld. The statement of receipts and disbursements showed the School to be in a sound financial position, having a small credit, balance. The following is the Directors’ report for the year ending 21st December, 1931. Academic:Messrs J. Banks, C. JJurtis, R. McLean and G. Turner gained paitial passes in the examination for second class mine managers’ certificates. Mr D. Wcarne was successful in obtaining a firstclass certificate. It is worthy of note that Mr Wearno was the only successful candidate in New Zealand. Underviewers’ certificates were obtained by Messrs E. Patterson, J’. Banks and W. Peterson. Deputies certificates were obtained by Messrs 11. Hassan, J. Wilson, R. Marshall, J. Cowan and partial passes by R. Robb, Rathbone and E. Coper. A University Scholarship was obtained bv Mr J. Bolitho. Bullion Testing certificates were obtained [by Messrs E. Allen and 1 Bolitho. Gas Testing certificates wore 'issued to D. Taylor, R. Alborne, 11. Hassan, J. Fletcher, Geo. Dixmn, F. McCallum. J. Carter, T. L. Blair and !F. Hannigan. The following assays were done during the year: —Gold and silver 277, coal 11, coal dust 103, bullion 3, antimony 2, tungsten 1. platinum 2. Total 299. The Directors wished to publicly congratulate Mr Bolitho on his success in obtaining a sholarship and to express their appreciation of the diligent manner in which Mr Bolitho carried , out his duties as laboratory assistant. The chairman said the Director had to be congratulated upon having achieved such good results. A regrettable feature was that so few were offering then-selves to take up the study of metalliferous mining, and he hoped that fathers would see that “heir sons attended the classes. It, was a great help ’uring life. They must have studr-r.ts a* d th*. Director coul 1 cater for more, and he would be much bette* pleased to have larger classes. He, reierre ] to the poor support accorded the school by citizens, the subscritions of members only totalling £B. They had received only one subscrip tions from a mining company, but he hope - : that with the revival in mining more assistance would be forthcoming. There- was a fear also that Government, subsidies would be decreased. He hoped to see the subscriptions increased, and as these carried a subsidy that would assist the School. He congratulated Mr Built ho on securing a. University Scholarship, and he was sure that ho would be a success. Three indents had previously secured scholarships from this school, they being Messrs Lee, Durrant, and Williams and he hoped to be able to record a similar success to the School next year. He moved the adoption of the balance sheet and the

Directors ’ report, which was seconded bv Mr J. AV. Patterson and The election of officers resulted as follows:—-President: Mr T. Patterson; Treasurer: Mr Jas Patterson; Secret, ary: Mr W. B. Auld agreed to carry on until a new secretary was appoint ed; Council: Messrs W. S. Pratt, W. McEwin, T. O’Brien, T. Quinn, A. Watson, AV. J. Patterson, W. J. Morris, AV. Parsonage and S. Fry; Auditor.- Mr H. Cooper. The meeting then (iosed with a vote of thanks to the chair. At the meeting of the Council held subsequently, three applications for iho position of Assistant Director were referred to a committee consisting of the President, Secretary, Director and Mr AV. S. Pratt. Meeting nights were fixed for the first Wednesday in each month. The passing of accounts concluded the meeting.