REEFTON SCHOOL OF MINES

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1940, Page 4

REEFTON SCHOOL OF MINES

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council of the Reefton School of Mines was held last evening. There were present: Messrs R. A. Dicke, K. Patterson, J. Patterson, Noble, C. J. Willis, and F. Wright. Mr Dickie extended to Mr Baird, the new secretary, a cordial welcome, also to Mr K. Patterson, a newly-elected member. Mr Baird expressed his thanks for the kind words extended. He would do his best for the School. The report for January, 1940, was as follows: Academic. No classes were held in the School during the month. Arrangements have been made to hold enrollment classes in all four teaching centres early in February. Assaying. The assaying branch of the School resumed after the holidays on January 11, and for the short month 'to the 31st 21 samples were received for assay as follows: Quartz samples, 16, bullion assays, 1, coal dust samples, ■4, total 21. The February report was as follows: Academic. The results of the 1930 Schools ot Mines examinations have been received from the Department, and the Director has pleasure in recording the following passes: Ventilation: 2nd class pass, Mr B. Alborn and Mr F. Rolleson, Reefton, 3rd class pass, Mr W. Burnett, Reefton. Mining: Ist class pass, Mr J. Etheridge and Mr R. Alborn, Reefton. Winding, pumping and hauling: 2nd class pass, Mr J. Etheridge and Mr R. Alborn, Reefton. Surveying: Ist class pass, Mr J. Baird, Wallsend. The Scholarship candidate, Mr J. J. Morris, of Reefton, obtained the following marks: Winding, pumping and hauling, 61, Elementary mechanics, 64, Metallurgy of gold and silver, 6U, machine drawing, 36. Mr Morris was unfortunate in not obtaining 6b per cent, in the subject machine drawing, thus entitling him to be credited with the section of four subjects. Classes for the year 1940 have also been commenced throughout st he circuit and a fair attendance obtained. The rolls as at the end of the month stand as follows: Reefton: Ist class coal, 3; 2nd class coal, 1; underviewers, 2; deputies, 2; preparatory, 4; total, 12. Waiuta: 2nd class meta.', 2; battery supts., 3; assaying, 1; total, 6. Wallsend: Ist class coal, 1: underviewer, 1; deputies, 2; total 4. Blackball: Underviewers, 5; preparatory, 3; advanced maths., 1; total 9. The total number of students attending the School stands practically ut the same figure as last year, only the smallest classes are now at Waiuta instead of at Wallsend and Blackball.

The figures for the volume of assaying handled for the first complete 'month, of the new year show gome slight improvement upon those for the final months of 1939. A total of 31 determinations are being carried out as follows: Quartz samples 21, alluvial samples 5, coal dust sample? 2. bullion assays 2, scheelite assay 1, total 31. In addition some gold from an oid dental plate was cleaned and melted and a parcel of slags and old graphite pots amalgated to the berdan.

In reply to Mr Dickie, the Director said that of all who went for examination 75 per cent, secured passes. The President, Treasurer, and Secretary were authorised to sign cheques on behalf of the School. Mr J. Patterson moved that the Mines Department be written to asking that a transit theodolite promised the School, be supied. Seconded by Mr Wright and carried,