C.—3.

6

Results of Annual Examinations, 1899.

Mr. K. M. Graham secured the School of Mines University scholarship with the high average of 85 per cent, in the eight subjects of examination. The examination is a severe test, and as the conditions are not generally known I include a list of them in this report for publication. Mr. Graham showed great perseverance and application in his studies, and thoroughly deserves his success. He also obtained the President's medal for the highest aggregate in all the subjects of examination, gaining 1,079 marks in thirteen subjects, an average of 83 per cent., and a creditable performance. It is pleasing to note that the students who have gained School of Mines scholarships have made and are making excellent progress. Mr. J. M. McLaren, who gained a scholarship in 1894, and Mr. W. H. Baker, who secured his in 1895, each gained his B.Sc. degree and a university scholarship in 1898, and have now gained first-class honours in science. Mr. McLaren has been appointed Assistant Geologist, Queensland, and Mr. Baker is Assistant Lecturer at the Thames School of Mines.' Mr. W. Donovan, who received a scholarship in 1898, acquitted himself with credit last year at the University of Otago, where he is now continuing his studies, along with Mr. K. M. Graham. Schools op Mines.—Amended Scholaeship Eegulations. i 1. Three scholarships at the. Otago University will be offered annually for competition by students attending schools of mines within the colony: one to students from the North Island, and two to students from the Middle Island—namely, one from the West Coast, and one from Otago. 2. The scholarships will be of the annual value of £50 each to successful candidates who may reside three miles or more beyond the boundaries of the Borough of Dunedin, and of £30 to successful candidates who reside within the boundaries of the said borough, or within three miles thereof. 3. The scholarships will be tenable for three years, or for such other period less than three years as may at the discretion of the Minister appear to be necessary. 4. The scholarships will be open to all students as aforesaid who are not less than eighteen years of age on the day appointed for receiving applications, as stated in Eegulation 5, and who shall have attended regularly at any school of mines within the colony for not less than two years. 5. The examinations will be held in the month of December in each year, on days which will be duly announced, at the Thames, Eeefton, and Dunedin. 6. The examinations will be conducted in writing, and will embrace the following subjects : (a) Theoretical chemistry ; (b) practical chemistry ; (c) metallurgy of gold and silver ; (d) mining; (c) ventilation of mines; (/) general and mining geology; (g) land and mining surveying; (h) drawing. 7. No scholarships shall be awarded to any candidate who does not obtain 75 per cent, of the marks in each subject. 8. Applications from candidates, accompanied by a fee of 10s., must reach the Mines Department, at Wellington, not later than the lst November in each year. 9. Candidates must present themselves for examination on the day fixed, as provided in Eegulation No. 5. 10. The examination-papers will be prepared by the examiners of the schools of mines at the Thames and Eeefton. 11. The Minister of Mines retains to himself the right of cancelling any scholarship should the holder attend irregularly, or be reported for idleness or bad conduct.

Subject of Examination. First Class. Second Third Class. Class. Failed. Total. General and mining geology Pumping and winding ... Ventilation and explosives Mining and applied mechanics ... Theoretical chemistry (senior) ... Theoretical chemistry (junior) ... Practical chemistry (senior) Practical chemistry (junior) Practical assaying, dry (senior) ... Practical assaying, dry (junior) ... Practical assaying, wet (senior) ... Practical assaying, wet (junior) ... Surveying (land and mine) Survey-map drawing Mineralogy and blowpipe Metallurgy Mechanical drawing 1 ] 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 6 1 2 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 4 1 1 2 1 1 3 4 4 4 2 2 2 4 9 6 5 4 4 3 3 5 6 i 3 Saturday science 2-1 5 29 2 16 5 1 70 12 Totals 29 31 21 82