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adjacent country have been visited and examined with very beneficial results. The text-books used are Geikie's ' Manual' and Davis's ' Geology.' " 5. Doming. —The instruction in this class embraces the construction and timbering of shafts, drives, chambers, &c,, in ordinary country and quicksand, the use of explosives, pumping and pit-work, ventilation, strengths of materials, &ts. This is one of the most popular and best-attended classes a! the school, and the progress made by the students during the two terms of its existence has been highly satisfactory—a result which is mainly attributable to our admirable and excellent text-book, Gordon's ' Miner's Guide,' which puts in a clear and graphic form most of the information required from those qualifying for certificates of competency as mine-managers. The attendants at present include four mine-managers, seven miners, two clerks, five regular students, an artisan, and a mining surveyor. Most of these are studying with the object of qualifying themselves for examination for certificates of competency as mine-managers. " 6. Surveying. —The field-work of this class includes instruction in the use of the dial, theodolite, level, and chain. The surface surveys with the theodolite are conducted on true meridian, and during the last two quarters ten distinct surveys of large areas have been completed with very good results. The broken country adjacent to Grahamstown has proved a most convenient training-ground during the summer months, as it affords every description of physical feature, from level ridges to steep declivities. Few underground surveys have so far been attempted, chiefly because the working mines are generally engaged trucking during the day, while the old abandoned mines fall so rapidly into disuse as to be dangerous to work in. The office-work embraces instruction in the adjustments of the theodolite and level, use of logarithms, solution of triangles, the calculation of areas and co-ordinates of traverses of field-surveys, plotting of surveys to scale, and connecting surface with underground surveys. The surveys are conducted, recorded, and plotted as far as practicable in accordance with the regulations of the General Survey Department. The rapid progress made in this class gives promise of good results in the future. This class is attended by most of the students of the mining class. " 7. Mathematics. —At the end of August the attendance in this class had fallen to two, in consequence of which this study was discontinued during the next quarter. At the beginning of the February quarter it was again revived under the able direction of Mr. E. D. Duxfield, M.A., with twelve names on the register. The instruction includes the study of higher arithmetic, algebra, Euclid, and trigonometry, in which very satisfactory progress has been made; but the average attendance has not been so large as the importance of the subject would warrant. "8. Mechanical Draioincj. —This class is conducted by Mr. A. J. Adams, a draughtsman of well-known ability. It was started in February with an attendance of eight pupils. The instruction is invaluable to those engaged in mechanical or mining pursuits, embracing lettering and drawing to scale of the different parts of machinery and mining appliances. This class supplies an important want at our school. " 9. Saturday Science Lectures. —During the first two quarters of 1889 Mr. Montgomery gave lectures on chemistry, illustrated by numerous experiments. Since that date I have conducted a series of lectures on the physical geography and geology of New Zealand, aided by sketches and specimens. Great interest is taken in this class, as may be judged from the fact that no less than ten separate first prizes had to be given for best attendance at the end of the year. The attendants are principally high-school boys, and the Fifth and Sixth Standard pupils from the State schools. The teachers and masters are also well represented. " The following table shows the number of students attending the different classes in the four quarters during the year ending 31st March : —

" School. —During the past season the school and plant buildings were painted, and the ground s enclosed by a substantial fence, thereby adding greatly to the external appearance of the institutionThe internal fittings have been overhauled recently, and cupboards and drawers, with locks, provided for each of the students attending the assaying and practical, chemistry classes. On the arrival of the consignment of chemicals and apparatus daily o-xpected from England, the laboratory will be fairly well equipped for conducting analysis and assay-work of all kinds. The Government

Class. First Quarter, 1889. Second Quarter, 1889. Third Quarter, 1889. First Quarter, 1890. Practical assaying Practical chemistry ... Chemistry Mineralogy ... Geology Mining Surveying Drawing (mechanical) Mathematics Saturday lectures ) I 31 17 5 10 33 16 5 12 30 17 (11 Ul 20 20 20 13 6 6 20 'JO 8 12 46 14 17 5 41 5 56 58 Totals 123 144 167 151 Exclusive of Saturday lectures... 82 88 109 105 Total number of individuals 31 32 33 35-