ROYAL SCHOOL OF MINES, LONDON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14686, 20 November 1909, Page 14

ROYAL SCHOOL OF MINES, LONDON

♦ [* Paper by.Mr A. M. Finlaysok, A.0.5.M., M.So., 1551 Exhibition Scholar for 19071908, which was read beforo tho Otago School'' of Mines Club on October 29, 1909.] Part I. Mr President and Gentlemen,—At this auspicious stage in tho career of your school, wren you aro moving into a new building, with a bright outlook as tho leading School of Mines south of tho lino, it is hoped that this short paper from an old student, on the Royal School of Minos, tho oldeot and most famous school in tho Empire, may l» of somo interest.

'Tito institution, which dates from 1851, carries on its work amid tho museums at South Kensington, amid an atmosphere redolent of slillied humming-birds and antiquarian works of art. Indeed, tho wholo of the surroundings at South Kensington seem, to the writer, very unfavourable to efficient scientific and technical work. Thoro is, in this quarter, an air of stolid indifference- and calm leisurclincss reflected in tho massive museums and their Bluffed contents, in the handsomo residential flats and their footmen, in tho policemen, and, worst of ail, in tho studonW themselves. With tho exception of the continuous taxi-cab and motor car traffic, including the very vigorous cur driven by the Professor of Geology, _ this atmosphere of Icisiiroliness and dignity seems to pervade this district. Tho graduates from tho school includo men very well-known in tho mining and geological world. During the period 18511681 a comparatively Email bod\ of associates graduated, among whom appear, tho following names, many of which will bo familiar (o yoir.-W. J. Sollas (president of tho Geological Society and Professor of Geology at Oxford), benjamin Peach (Geological Survey of Scotland),- 11. M. Platnauer, S. 11. Cox (formerly on New Zealand Geological Survey and Professor of Mining at tho Royal School of Mines), William ■uqwland.(formerly.Master, of *the. Japanese Mint ant Professor of Motullurgy a t tho ?frfi? I ' , ' , « (associated with William Donaldson, of Macraes, in the first production of New Zealand schcelite). A. K. Huntington, C. Lo, Neve Foster, Wil.am I'reeheyillc, A. G. Charlcton, and A. 0 Claudet (leading members of. the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy), Bennett 11. Broilgh,.A. W.BicßcHon (late Professor of Chemistry at Canterbury College), J J Baucrma'n, "WC T. Blanford Ediyard Matt hey, and many others. Jn later-years the school's sphere of u=e- I illness was greatly expanded, mid the number of .'graduates largely increased from year to year, with a corresponding decrease 01 names.which have become notable. Associates o? later years include T. A. Richard (of the Mining ami Scientific Press, a- leading mining journalist); E. W. Skoates (Prolessor of. Geology at Melbourne University), and A.. Jonnan (Professor of Mining and ia;!d c Spof u M ,3 K comiwtitm - Auck - Tho lU■of past professors includes some jery notable men-a veritable roll of honour ;,, Former rectors and deans arc (Is ia Beoho, Roderick Alurchison, T II luxloy,; ; J._.W. Judd, and W. A. Tiidon' I'ormcr.profcssom include Frankland and iior-jo y (chemistry), Stokes, Tyndall, Hucker (p hywes), Norman Lockvor (astronomical physics), Robert Hunt and Gooi.i V""' 1 le "" l M. Andrew Ramsay and •ludd (geology), Edward Forbes and Hi.x=y (biology), Percy and Roberts-Austen Oictalhirgy), Waryngton-Smyth and Le JNevo l'ostcr (mining). It is advisable- first to give a brief ac--omit of. tho history and evolution of tho fcliool. It arose in 1851, as* a result of the work of tho groat 1851 Exhibition, on the demand for technical: education. It was first situated in Jermyu sl-reot;* located With Iho Museum of "Practical Geology where tho present. Geological Survey Offices are. Its title at ' this • period was *tl] fi Uvcrnment School of Mines and of. Science jppl!«l to the Art 3. *■ ■Efforts we.ro* rnado. to enlarge its sphere of work in RUbsenhenfi yearn, but m 1863 ; it confined its Hvdrk to' mining and* took-., the, title Royal-.Pclio"]" ot Mines, Between the years 1872-1880' • lis work, expanded to such' an extent that tho premises in .Twmyii,' Mnwt became, much too small, and gradually the whole ot the departments wore ,transferred 'to: South Kensington, to what is now the old non*X i < e °, of Scionco ''uilding. Tn ml tho school became known as the Royal College of Science and Roval .School'of Aliikb, and now provided not only courses for milling am | metallurgical diplomas, but also courses of a similar standard in geology, biology, chemistry, and physics. 1110 school Illis now boen merged into the Imperial; Collego of Science and Tech', liology. : The Imperial College is governed by a board of 40 monitors,' elected by the president.of-tho Board of Education,-.the University of London, tho London County Council, tho City and' Guilds of London Institute,---the. Royal Society, the'Commits-' sioneis ior the 1851 Exhibition, the Pro- ' fesorial-Stalf of tho College, the Institutes oKMining Euginecre, of Civil Engineer?,'df Mechanical Engineers, of Electrical Engineers, of Mining and Metallurgy, of- Naval Architects, tho Iron • aiid Steel Institute, ami the Society of Chemical Industries. It is evident, from this list, Unit-..the technical aims of the scientific work should bo well represented l on the boa I'd;,

&onio particulars of the pcreoiuier of the staff.-.may bo of interest.. The newlyappointed,, rector is Dr Henry T. Bdney, late of .;Jil'CJill University, Montreal. The . Profcssov-of Mathematics and . Mechanics is Dr J/ Perry, who has associated with lilin two..-assistant professors, a. lecturer-,-, u demonstrator, ami' five assistant demon- • strators.V Tho bevy of assistants, lecturers, and demonstrators in each department of the college is ono' of its outstanding features. Thus Micro aro in the physics department 12, and in the chemistry department a liko number of " assistant demonslrators.' The professors of physics are Dr 11. L. Callcndar (examiner to the University of New Zealand), and the Hon. H. J. Strut) (of radium fame), wliile Dr W. Watson is an assistant professor. Professor W. A. Lildon has chargo of the chemistry department, and under him are, among othoui, Drs Fostei, Philip, and Morgw, Alessri 11. Chapman Jones and G. L. ftewth. Professors ,T. B. Farmer (botanv) and A. Dcmiy (zoology, lafo professor at Canterbury College), havo chargo of the wologica! department; wofes-w. \V. W .'--Watte (examiner to N.Z. University) is profcs.9or-' of geology, Professor S. Herbert Cox, assisted by Mr L. 11. Cooke texa.imnor.tn surveying to KZ. University) has charge of the mining department. J rofcssorWin. Gowlahd is *1 present in chargo of the metallurgy department, but is shortlj .retiring, and tlio professor elect m Mr W. A. Carlyle. The courses kivo hitherto been of three years' duration, the year or session being divided into two tonus and extending from the beginning of October to the end of •luno, with a three weeks' vacation it Christmas and at Pastor. The summer vacation occupies the months of July,

August, and September. Students who tho courses in geology, chemistry, physics, biology, or rrtathcriiaties received tho diploma of A.R.O.S, (Associate of tho Royal College of Soicncc), w'hilo those who passed out in mining or metallurgy received tho diploma of A.R.S.M. (Associato of tho Royal School of Mines). With the institution of the now college thoro seems a probability of these well-established diplomas, which have built up a sound reputation, (if we overlook tho black sheep to bo found in front of all dogrecs and diplomat*, the world over), being shortly discarded, in favour of ono with aji additional letter (A.1.C.5.T.), and with littlo or no weight behind it. Tho 1 change cannot be regarded as a step in. advance, at least froin N the mining mante point of view. In the new scheme provision is to be made (or greatly increased futilities for research in all departments. This provision has not yet materialised, and research students are few and tar Iwlwcen except for those who arc following up mining and metallurgy. The bulk of tho students aire .graduating with a view to boootning science teacluvrs. Tlioy aro taught in all departments on what is urxtouotedly a thorough, well-graded system, and may ho well enough equipped and trained for teachers of general science But there is, throughout the college, much teaching in the spoon-fed principle; everything i 6 cut and dried; so ma.ny of the teachers themselves aro merely teachera (as distinct from practical research men), and, although thoroughly up in their work, are not of the type to instil enthusiasm into a class. They aro, in short, typical teachers of the South' Kensington type. "Whether as teachers oi. science or. of art, all iKirsons who have graduated from South Kensington seem to be built on tho same general lines as regard's their mental superstructure. The students in th© practical classes have an immense amount done for f hem, and there is little scope for tho exercise of originality and training of one's self-reliance. _ in the geological research laboratory time is,' however, not to. There the writer's self-reliance, originality, and piety have all been taxed'in turn-but of that more anon.

Tho general plan of work in tho several departments; is an excellent and carefully organised one. The first year's work is thesamo for all branches, and comprises mathematics and mechanics, geometrical and mechanical drawing, chemistry and physics. Thcso three subject* arc taught very fully*, and the laboratories are very well-equipped. A feature of the course,indeed, is the high standard of work in mafhomatics and mechanics, as well as in drawing. Applied .mechanics and engineeriuu; aru included >n this course, also graphics and practical geomotry, and thcro is a fin' 3 mechanical laboratory. In the second and tiiird years students are switched otf into specialised courses, according to the. departments they aro working in. Those in the mathematical department do advanced work in engineering, drawing, and mathematics up to tho integral calculus. In the physics department the ad■yanoed jvork includes special courses of lecture.? on thermodynamics, photography, spectrum analysis, ' astro-physics, electrolysi.-*, and other tranches. In the chemistry department special work is done in organic and physical chemistry during tlie second and third years. A fourth year's work has now bren added to each cf the courses, cmbiaeintr special courses cf lectures and laboratory work on advanced topics, or subjects of recent research or practical importance.

Tho geological department is at present housed temporarily in a very cramped epaco behind a set of galleries belougin;,- to tho British,Statural History.. Museum. Thbrc aro some,7o students taking the first-yen*s lvorl- in general geology, while the students pursuing the coureo for the Assoeiateßhip in' Geology number only'five. In charge ;of tho department is Professor Watts,' oii© of the'most genial and. approachable men* 'under -whom has been trie writer's privilege 'to work. Ho is supported by an assistant professor, two lecturers, and- three .demon,'strators. This .departipe.nt'is one, of, tho .rhost poorly attended by. ; sfcdents going fof • a diploma course, and it has.every prospect ■;bf, b>in,g in temporary, breniises for many - years ,to come. Tlie .'rcsea.roh laboratory.' whore the writer holds solo' and undisputed sway, is inconveniently small and - badly ventilated. For its siez, it is, .however, well equipped. Thero is a very convenient dark room, a rock-slicing machine, and a Dick microscope, while, since tho vvri'evs' advent, a complete srpply of apparatus and chemicals for -oel: analysis lias been procured, and a very fine micro-photographic apparatus by S-\vift is on order.

Turning to the metallurgical department, the general scope of the second and third years' work is similar to that of the Otago School of Mines courses in. metallurgy and assaying. The cupelling furnaces in the assay laboratory are cleotrically heated, which is very convenient for work, .but may have disadvantages when grduatcs get away to a less sumptuously fitted

'laboratory in the field. There'is an ikkJ vancod metallurgical laboratory, in which provision is mado for pyromotry, calorimctry, mechanical testins of metals,, use of (lie electrical furnace, and the microscopic study of metals and alloys." Tho apiiaratus for polishing in connection with this last branch is driven, by electric powor, andthere is a very fine micro-photographic apparatus by Zeiss for photographing polished awl etched alloys, etc. Students in the metallurgical department are taken on a tour of various metallurgical and refining works in- Wales and the North of England, during which they may or may not learn something, hut there is no vacation course of ■practical work prescribed, and the ■ finished, product of..this department, provided with his A.R.S.M., cannot bo regarded as fitly equifipwl to cam lift living or return a qud pro quo to the compares who employ him. The course is admittedly

a good one a 6 far as it goes, but the fact that a certain period of practical experience is not included must militate severely in after life against the practical value of tlio training. One feature of the assay a/ course that 'will be of interest is that students must provido themselves with all (heir own apparatus-burette, filters,' funnels, flasks, beakers, triangles, Bunsen burner, etc;, to a total cost of about £2 10s! A similar rule is in force, it may bo added, in all the general laboratories. No doubt it teaches careful handling of ponshablo goods.