SCHOOL OF MINES.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXV, Issue 3221, 27 March 1914, Page 2

SCHOOL OF MINES.

ANNUAL MEETING.

INTERESTING REPORTvS

At the annual meeting of the Karangahake School of Mines the report of the School Council was read as foliollows :— , It affords the Council great pleasure to present this, the filteenth annual report and balance-sheet ior the year ending December 31st, 1913. The attendance results of examinations are given in Director's report. The statement of accounts shows the total receipts as £885 3s 3d and the expenditure ,£591, leaving a credit balance of ,£265 16s Bd. The attendance during the year at the Waikino School has been disappointing and the Council reluctantly had to dispense with the services of the Assistant Director, but" have under consideration the keeping of the school open for evening classes, until matters look brighter at Waikino. The Council have received with regret the resignation of the Director, Mr Gibson, who has accepted an appointment in the geological survey branch of the Mines Department. General: The Council desires to thank the Mines Department, Ohinemun County Council, and others for assistance and donations, also Mr J. E. Redpath -for honorary services in auditing the books of the institution, and also to place on record its appreciation ot the work done by the Director and staff during the I year. DIRECTOR'S-REPORT. .v o,■ • ■ ■ ■■ The report of the Director (Mr W. Gibson) was as follows :— I have the honour to submit the following annual report of work done at the school during 1913. Attendances : The average number of students per term was 34 and the class attendances 68. The Waikino branch does not show any increase in numbers, and as prospects are not improved the expense does not warrant the retaining of the assistaut-direclor's serr vices on full time. , Examinations: At the annual De- | cember examinations 13 students presented themselves and sent in 34 papers i in the .written examinations, obtaining 11 first-class passes, 8 second-class, and j 6 third-class. One student, F. E. Smale, qualified for the scholarship in four subjects. The school again obtained the highest average marks in the wsitten papers. One student, E. D. White, io entitled to the Government's bullion-assayer's certificate. In the practical examinations 3 passed^ in senior chemistry, 1 in junior chemistry, 1 in senior -wet assaying and' 1 junior dry assaying. The President's medal was won by F. E. Smale and the Council's prizes by E. D. White ior senior subjects, ]. C. H. McDonald for mathematics and drawing, and S. Shore for junior subjects. Assaying : During the year 44 assays, mostly for gold and silver,,were done, and these included 14 for prospectors, which were carried out free of charge. The fact that no tnbuters were working accounts for the small number. Equipment: Early in the year the electrical laboratory was enlarged and new apparatus added. These changes have been much appreciated by the lecturer and the students, the latter having now increased room and apparatus for carrying on their practical work. , Conference : In September, by the courtesy of the Minister of Mines, a conference of delegates from all the mining schools vvas held- at Wellington with the Board of Examiners. The proposals by which it was hoped the status of the schools of mines would be raised were unfortunately not agreed to by all the delegates. It is to hoped, however, that shortly, New Zealand will come into line with other parts of the world in the matter of recognition of certificates obtained by the students of the New Zealand schools of mines. Library ; The thanks of staff and students are due to the Mines Department for the further provision to the lending library of up-to-date works in mining subjects. Additions have also been made by the Council. Specimens of 20 typical New Zealand fossils have been kindly donated by the Geological Survey, and Air H. Marshall (Karangahake) has also given some splendid representative specimens of Broken Hill district. In conclusion I have to thank the members of the staff for the zeal and enthusiasm they have shown, and the members of the Council ior their hearty co-operaf.on in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the school.