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During 1903 two of our students obtained first-class mine-managers' certificates, one a firstclass coal-mine manager's certificate, and two battery-superintendents' certificates. In all eighteen first-class mine-managers', two first-class coal-mine managers', and fifteen battery-super-intendents' certificates have been obtained by students of this school during the past six years, besides a number of second-class mine-managers' certificates, winding-engineers' certificates, etc. In connection with these examinations it is to be remarked that the standard required by the examiners for coal- and metal-mine managers is apparently raised higher year by year. In consequence it is now becoming very difficult for the ordinary working-miner to satisfy the examiners' requirements. The question as to what educational tests ought to be passed by a mine-manager is a difficult one, and it is not my intention to discuss it at the present time, but this I may say that I feel certain that any further raising of the standard, especially in the direction of asking questions that are outside the ordinary scope of the average mine-manager, will, under present conditions, quite debar many intelligent and experienced working-miners—really good "practical " men—from gaining certificates. Laboratory.— During the year sixty-seven assays and determinations, mostly of gold and silver ore, were made for the public. In addition, a number of minerals, rock-specimens, &c, were examined and named free of charge. Syllabus. —The course of instruction during 1903 was on very much the same lines as in former years. The introduction of senior courses in theoretical chemistry, mining, and surveying, enabled a higher standard to be attained in those subjects. In connection with the geological class some instruction in petrography and in the use of the polarising microscope was given. Several students did a fair amount of work in the direction of preparing thin sections of rock for microscopic examination. In May a class in electricity was started, and was well attended during the second and third terms. Mineral Collection. —This has been very largely increased during the year by specimens of minerals, fossils, ores, and rocks. A good collection of natural crystals has been bought by the Council, whilst the members of the staff have collected a considerable number of rock-specimens from various localities. Among the numerous donors to the collection may be mentioned the following : —Mr. Thomas Gilmour.—Telluride-ore from Kalgoorlie, and other specimens. Waihi Grand Junction Gold-mining Company.— Diamond-drill cores, steel boring-crowns, fossil wood, &c. The Goldfields Diamond Drilling Company (Kalgoorlie).—-Diamond-drill cores from Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie, &c. Mr. S. B. Hunter (Victorian Mines Department).—Calyx and diamond-drill cores from several Victorian localities. Mr. E. R. Green (Inspector of Mines, Otago district). —Eocks and fossils from Otago. Mr. F. Johnson (Taitapu, Nelson). —Specimens of gold-ore and chromeiron from Nelson. Mr. P. T. Seelye.—-Bocks and minerals from Dunedin and other Otago localities. Other donors of interesting specimens were: Mrs. Mathewson, Kokonga, Otago ; Mr. W. B. Warburton, Johannesburg; Captain W. Newdick, Ehodesia ; Mr. E. B. McDuff, Director, Karangahake School of Mines; Mr. D. V. Allen, Director, Coromandel School of Mines; and Messrs. Quick, St. Clair Heard, Gordon Cumming, J. Gilmour, E. G. Banks, W. Morrison, 0. McLean, A. J. Graham, and W. Corbett, all of Waihi. Petrological Microscope. —During the past year the want of a microscope for petrological work has been much felt. The Council of the Thames School of Mines kindly lent us their miscroscope for a few weeks, and towards the end of the year a microscope imported by myself was available for showing sections to the members of the geology class. Quite a number of our best students are anxious to take up petrological work, and for their benefit it is to be hoped that before long the Council will be able to procure a petrological microscope for the use of students. Library. —This, as in former years, has been much used by the students. The Council has purchased a number of books, and the usual Government publications have been received. Thanks are due to Messrs. Gray Bros., of Auckland, for the gift of several valuable works on metallurgy and assaying. Theodolite. —During the greater part of the year considerable inconvenience was caused by the lack of a theodolite which could be lent to students for survey practice, but this was remedied a few months ago by the purchase of a good second-hand transit theodolite. Addition to Building. —Towards the end of the year the congestion caused by the large attendance induced the Council to undertake an addition to the school building. With the help of a Government subsidy a class-room ft. by 20-J-ft. and a smaller room ft. by 13 ft. have been built on to the south end of the school, and are now ready for occupation. Teaching Staff. —During the year there have been no changes in the staff, which consists of myself as Director ; Mr. F. T. Seelye, A.0.5.M., assistant lecturer ; Mr. R. H. Mitchell, drawingmaster ; and Mr. Staffard Clarke, laboratory assistant. Mr. E. G. Wright who has been appointed by the Government joint instructor in electricity to the Thames and Waihi Schools of Mines, begins his duties here after the summer vacation. Office-bearers. —At the annual meeting of members of the school the following office-bearers were elected: President, Mr. Thomas Gilmour; Vice-President, Mr. W. H. Johnston; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. E. G. Banks ; Members of Council—Messrs. A. T. Kenrick, Eobert Morgan, Thomas Johns, A. B. Benge, C. Saunders (elected by subscribers); William Morrison, F. Stewart (elected by students). In addition to the above the Waihi Borough Council elected as its representatives Messrs. Arscott and Slevin. Later in the year Mr. Arscott's place was taken by Mr. J. Newth. Mr. Harry Allen, who had ably acted as Secretary for some years, resigned that position laet April. In his place the Council appointed Mr. G. St. Clair Heard. Conclusion. —For the coming year the prospects of the school are bright, and a large attendance at the various classes is anticipated. I have to thank the various members of the Council for the great help they have given me in carrying on the work of the school. My thanks are particularly due to Mr. Harry Allen, the late Secretary, and to Mr. G. St. Clair Heard, our present Secretary. Mr. F. T. Seelye, A.0.5.M., assistant lecturer, and Mr. E. H. Mitchell, drawingmaster have ably acquitted themselves in their respective departments, whilst Mr. Staffard Clark has proved himself a capable laboratory assistant.

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