THAMES SCHOOL OF MINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9402, 8 January 1894, Page 5

THAMES SCHOOL OF MINES.

GIFT OF A HANDSOME COLLECTION

OF ORES. [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Saturday. Mr. T. B. Hicks, the well-known mine manager, has presented to the School of Mines his splendid collection of ores and minerals, together with a handsome showcase made of mottled kauri to exhibit them in. The collection includes some nice specimens of silver ores from Broken Hill, erubiscite or horse-flesh ore, grey glance, bell-metal and other ores of copper from South Australia, and also some fine gold specimens from the old City of London, Caledonian, and other mines here at Thames, all of which now possess considerable historic value.

, In making his presentation, Mr. Hicks said he did so to show his practical sympathy with the good work which was being done by the school. All through his career as a mine manager ho had felt the want of a technical training, and he strongly urged all young miners to make the most of their opportunities and attend the School of Mines, for he was convinced that- it was only those who possessed a sound technical training who would succeed as mine managers and battery managers in the future. Indeed, he regretted that he had not attended the school four years ago, old as he was, hence his appeal to all young men to improve their positions by embracing the opportunities of study which he certainly did not have in his young days. This is one of the highest compliments that has yet been paid to the School of Mines, coming as it does from a practical mine manager who possesses the widest range of experience both in Australia and New Zealand, and whoso marked ability in the successful management of all mining operations is universally acknowledged. Mr. Hicks undoubtedly stands in the foremost rank of the old school of mine managers yet, and his splendid donation and remarks show that his judgment is not warped, nor his mind so prejudiced as to blind him to the benefits to be derived from an understanding of the theory as well as the practice of his profession.