THAMES SCHOOL OF MINES.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXI, Issue 6322, 6 February 1889, Page 2

THAMES SCHOOL OF MINES.

The third annual meeting of subscribers to the Thames School of Mines was held Isst night. Mr D. H, Bayldon occupied tho chair. He briefly referred to tho satisfactory state of the school.

Colonel Fraser, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said that the condition of the school was much more satisfactory than ho anticipated. The Minister of Mines made some promises of assistance, and it was to bo hoped he would not deceive them. -He'(tho speaker) would see that tho affairs of the school were not neglected by the Government, no matter who was in power.

Mr W. Mears in seconding the motion, drew attention to tho large amount of moaey due for class fees. He alsjsaid that there was some dissatisfaction among the students, because they were not allowed to work the experimental plant. He thiiught that the students ought to have a representative on the committee.

Mr Bruce, secretary, said that the experimental plant was originally intended for tho use of the students, but that private parlies bringing in stuff for tests objected to its being manipulated by students,

Mr W. H, Moore dciiiec 1 that students had any grounds of complaint.

Mr A. Price asked Mr Mears if ho thought the students would do the work for nothing.

Mr.Mears replied in the negative,

Mr Price said that Mr Montgomery was responsible for the manipulation of the tests. ■

After this discussion the report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr Mears, on behalf of tho students moved a vote of thanks to the committee. This was seconded by Mr McNeil, and carried.

The following were elected Committee for the ensuing year :—

President, no nominations; Vice Prosidents, Messrs Daniel H. Bayldon and H. Vv\ Moore ; Treasurer, Mr John Watson; Moinbers* of Committee, Messrs Alfrod Price, John H. Smith, George S. Clark, Georgo W. Bull, Thomas A. Dunlop, Wm, Carpenter.—Albert Bruce Secretary. ■ The balance-sheet showed receipts to tho amount of £1.334 lis sd, and tho expenditure totalled the samo amount. There is, however, an overdraft at the Bank of £25 13s 2d.

The report showed that the 'school has made oxcollent progress during I 'tho threo. years it has been in existence;":' In 1886 class and BludontH' membershipjfees were £20 10s, in 1887, £39155, whereas in 1888 the amount was £66 16s. The report coneluded with votes of thanks to;Mr E.N. Smith for gratuitous services:aa drawing master, to Mr D. R. Gellion for gratuitous services as auditor, and to donors of specimens, &c.

A report was received from Mr Montgomery ofwnich the following is a very brief synopsis:—"The average number ofindividuals attending the classes at any one t|me exclusive of Behool children has been from 40 to 50. Classes.have been held during the year in assaying, chemistry mining survoying, and architectural drawing Iu addition to carrying on the work in tho above subjects, Mr Montgomery proposes to form a class iu mineralogy and - Geology. Owing to the lack of funds it w«b impossible to make much use of the experimental battery, still 12 parcels of ore havc.beeu treated, ranging from 1001b to 2 tons in weight. The resiils of the tests prove that many of the so ■ called refractory ores may be sucoessfaly treated by pan amalgamation, Mr Montgomery does not think that the public' properly appreciate the value of experimental tests, 'and expresses the opinion thafwe have to" look to modification of existing'processes rither than entirely new inventions. He strongly deprecates the lack of enterprise in trying new methods. Tho. report concludes by expressing thanks to. tho committee and the Secretary. for assistance during the year." •'■■•- •' .•;.