THAMES SCHOOL OF. MINES,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11887, 12 February 1902, Page 6

THAMES SCHOOL OF. MINES,

[BY ; telegkaph.-—OWN CORRESPONDENT.'].',: Thames, Tuesday. The annual meeting of the Thames School of Mines' subscribers! was heH this evening, the president (Mr. George . Denby) being in the chair. There was an excellent attendance of subscribers and persons interested in the institution,. The annual report, which was read by the secretary (Mr. Albert Bruce), stated that there bad been an average attendance at the school of 32 registered students and 52 Saturday license students, making a total of 84 individual students. At the annual examinations, 'held in December last, 25 students presented themselves, and a total of 58 papers were sent in to the examiners, with the result that 25 first-class, 11 secondclass, and 17 third-class certificates were secured. The result of the examination showed a better average of first-class passes than usual, but this was due partly to the smaller number of entries. The number of registered students for the year had been less than for some time, but this was attributed to the shortening of hands in the various mines and reduction plants in the district and the difficulties young men had to contend with in obtaining suitable employment near enough to enable them to take advantage of the facilities for the education obtainable at the school, The report also mentioned that one of the students, in the person of Charles A. Banks, has obtained an honourable position in the annual Government examination for the University scholarship and class certificates, ho having failed in one subject only out of the nine that it is necessary to pass, with a maxi mum of 75 per cent, of marks in each subject. Master Banks, however, won the. president's gold medal as the best all-round student in the school for the year, the number of marks obtained by him in the nine compulsory sub jects being 704, and for the 12 subjects vi which he was examined 931 marks, or an average of 77.6 per cent, in each subject. Master Harry Adams, the next best scholar for the year, also came out exceedingly well in the examination, particularly as it was his first year at the school. He took up 13 subjects, and obtained a total o f 940 marks, or an average of 72.3 per cent, in each subject. Mention was made of the effort which the council made during the year to get the Mines Department to issue certificates of as.soei'ateship to students who obtained a minimum of 55 marks in the University scholarship subjects, and subsequently the issuing by the Department of certificates settingout that after examination the student bad gained a stated number of marks in the subjects, but the Minister for Mines, <xlthough expressing his full sympathy with the requests, had stated that for a number of reasons he regretted he was unable to comply therewith. The Council, therefore, had resolved to issue the necessary certificate, and they felt sure it would be ? valuable document to the'students who succeeded. in winning it. . Master 0. A. Banks was the .only student who had won it fins year. Mention was made of .the fact that the only scholarship gained this year had bean won by Mr. Colin Eraser, a former student of the school, but at present attending the iCoromandel School of Mines. The Saturday science class continued to be fairly well attended, and : the dux of the class for the j year was Master George Finlay, with the excellent percentage of 90 per cent, of marks, whilst Miss McPherson had Rained a firstclass certificate with 75 per cent, of marks. The latter had also gained a prize for at tending every lecture during the year, whilst prizes for attendance had also been awarded to Miss E. Newton and Master N. Wright. The report further stated that during th* year 1901 seven battery superintendent certificates and one each first and second class mine managers' certificates were gained by students of the school, wliilst at the examination held in January last there were r;ix candidates for battery superintendents' and two for first-class mine manager's certificates. The experimental plant had treated during the year 10 parcels of ore, weighing 19,7601b. by pan amalgamation; five parcels weighing 15,J£0lb by the cyanide process, and 11 other parcels, weighing 67981b. were treated by berdan and otherwise. These together made an aggregate of 26 parcels, weighing 19 tons, from which 2020z 19dwfc 7gr of bullion, valued at £392 lis were recovered. Exclusive of a largo number of assays made in connection with the ore treated, 202 assays weremade for the public, and 70 assays and analyses of ores and rocks were made for tns Geological Department. The council, the report stated, was pleased to be able to mention that a class for the study of electricity had been started, and the services of a capable teacher secured. It was hoped that the class would prove a success and be appreciated. The Council- regretted that during the year the president (Mr. Edward McDonnell) and Mr. Thomas Cantley (a member of the Council) had been removed through death. Both of them had taken is, very deep interest in the school, and had done all in their power to promote its best welfare. In °onclusion, the report stated that the council desired to convoy their sincere thanks to Mr. F. B. Allen, M.A. (the director) for his faithful and zealous services during the past year, also to the examiners for their services, the Thames County Council for their free gift of water, Messrs. Russell and Wilson (auditors) for their gratuitous services, the donor of specimens to the museum, and all who have in any way contributed to the success of the school. The balance-sheet submitted shower' that the year commenced with a credit balance of £5 13s 4d, and closed with a credit balance of £32 18s, the receipts from all sources having been £432 16s lOd and the expendituie £399 18s lOd. _ The value of the freehold property, buildings, machinery, water-mains, furniture, apparatus, stock, and specimens are estimated at £3500, while the liabilities thereon are nil. The report and balancesheet were adopted. The president then presented the prizes and certificates to the successful students at the examination held hi December last, as already published in the Hebald of January 29 last. Short addresses were also given by the president and the director (Mr. F. B. Allen, M.A.), after which the. following gentlemen were declared elected to form the council for the ensuing vear: — President, Mr. George Denby; vice-president, Mr. M. Paul; lion, treasurer, Mr. J. H. Smith ; members of the council, Messrs. E. F. Adams, W. Baker, T. C. Bayldon, H. D. Haszard, W. H. Paltridge, R. W. Powell, and E. Cartwright. During the course of the meeting it was announced that Mr. It. W. Powell had notified his intention of giving a medal to the best student in the mathematical class during the ensuing year, with the object of encouraging study in that important subject. Mr. H. D. Haszard notified his intention of giving a similar prize to the best student in the electrical class.