C.-3

15

The numerical attendance at all the classes, and the results of the recent annual examinations, are shown in the following table: —

The twenty-four students who require to make use of the vacation for practical mining-work have by this time most probably all found places in gold- and coal-mines in Otago, on the West Coast (South Island), and in the Thames and Hauraki Districts (North Island). The chances of obtaining employment in the latter mining fields seemed, in fact, so favourable, according to news received by some of the students, that thirteen departed together by steamer for Auckland directly after the results of the annual examinations were published. Owing to the kind intercession of Mr. James Allen, M.H.E., the general manager of the Union Steamship Company (Mr. J. Mills) made a liberal reduction in the cost of a return ticket to Auckland from £7 10s. to £5, and extended the time of return to six months—a generous aid during the pursuance of their studies highly appreciated by the students. The manager of the Huddart-Parker Steamship Company has since also intimated by letter that he will in future treat our travelling students with the same liberality as the Union Steamship Company. Eegarding the number of students likely to attend for next year's session, it may reach sixty in case all the twenty-four old students return and all new applicants for entry are admitted. The number of these latter at present on the books is thirty-two, but additional ones will very probably come forth before the commencement of next session. For the special mining classes of the first year's course —mining geology and general geology —(which are the same for all the five divisions of the school) the enlargement and alterations of the present museum room, as sanctioned by the Council, will probably afford the necessary seating-space for so large a number of students; and, if not, Professor Shand's lecture-room, being free at the hours fixed for these classes, could be made use of, though with some inconvenience in the carrying about of models, specimens, and diagrams. But for three of the classes of the second and third years' courses—viz., assaying, petrography, and surveying—twelve students at the outside (which for assaying means twenty-four, as explained previously) can only be accommodated, and only on provision for the assaying class of five newsmeltingfurnaces, and for that in petrography of at least four additional petrological microscopes and a second machine for cutting and grinding rock-sections. With regard to the assaying class last session, Mr. Fitzgerald wrote to me as follows : " I found that the laboratory accommodation was taxed to the utmost. I had sixteen students, two of whom luckily were unable to take the evening class, thus relieving the furnaces to a certain extent. I understand that five new furnaces are to be added, but I would draw attention to the fact that even with the new furnaces we could not accommodate more than twelve students in each course."

Results of Examinations. Subjects. a n-4- , a ,« ; Entered for Attendance. L.™ ,. liixammation. I 1st Glass. 2nd Class. 3rd Class, i Failures. J-eneral (University)— Mathematics ... Theoretical mechanics ... Theoretical physics Practical physics Theoretical chemistry ... Practical chemistry Theoretical biology Practical biology 11 7 1.1 6 13 12 3 3 11 7 12 6 13 12 3 3 1 2 1 2 6 4 4 5 2 4 5 1 3 5 3 5 3 5 1 2 i 2 Special (School of Mines) — Mining, first course Mining geology General geology Palaeontology ... Mineralogy Petrography ... General metallurgy Special metallurgy Theory of assaying Practical assaying, first course ... Practical assaying, second course Blowpipe analysis Applied mechanics Surveying, first course ... Surveying, second course Model drawing Practical plane geometry) -, ( a ,.j 4 r drawing Solid geometry ... ) ° { Machine drawing 16 11 11 3 11 7 6 6 9 9 7 12 5 9 5 9 11 4 3 16 10 10 3 10 6 6 6 9 9 7 12 6 9 5 9 11 4 3 4 1 4 2 I 6 5 4 3 5 5 7 8 3 2 6 3 6 3 4 4 4 3 5 3 2 8 3 2 6 5 "5 2 ... 1 1 "l 2 2 3 1 1 Totals ... 77 91 45 5