School of Mines

Grey River Argus, 27 August 1946, Page 8

School of Mines

The quarterly meeting, of the Council of the Westport School of Mines, was' held on Saturday. Because of the recent death of Mr. J. C. Brown, Mr. H. Lovell, was appointed chairman, and Mr. A. O. Penshaw was elected to replace Mr. Lovell as vice-president. The chairman, Messrs. Openshaw, and- R. J. Wearne, spoke with regret of the death of the chairman of the council for many years (Mr. J. C. Brown) and reference was made to his great services to the coal mining industry over a long period of years. It was' stated that the West Coast branch of the New Zealand Institute of Mining had decided to approach the School of Mines and Buller Progress League with a view to having a photograph of Mr. Brown mounted and placed as a memorial in the school building. It was decided to adopt the proposal by the Reefton School of Mines that a further conference of school representatives on ,the West Coast be held at Westport on September 21 to discuss- the method of conducting mining examinations and other vital matters’. It was decided to hold a dinner or banquet at which students, managers and members of the council could meet, in the near future. Messrs. Pearson and T. Brown (secretary) were appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the gathering. DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The following is the report on the activities- of the Westport School of Mines during the quarter ending June 30, 1946: Classes have been conducted during the term-at Denniston, Granity, Millerton, Stockton and Westport. Students have continued to show interest in their work and attendances have been satisfactory. The roll has been maintained at 29. A small number of chemical and coal analyses have been carried out. Word has been received that the bomb calorimeter is awaiting shipment. The laboratory, which is now well stocked, cannot, however, be considered complete without a variable temperature .furnace for coal analyses. The school library is gradually being improved but the dearth of suitable text books remains a severe handicap in the teaching of such a scattered district.