a—3.

Petroleum. A borehole has been put down at Moturoa, near New Plymouth Breakwater, to a depth of 2,100 ft. Before reaching this depth a blower of natural gas and water was met with, and later on the strata drilled through gave evidence of the ground carrying crude petroleum to some extent, the triturated material brought up being quite oily and having a strong smell of petroleum. In consequence of the capital being exhausted work was stopped when the depth mentioned was attained. Since then the work has been visited by the Director of the Geological Survey and myself, and at the time of writing is being continued for a distance of 300 ft. or thereabouts under Government subsidy. The hole is cased with wrought-iron tubing 6 in. in diameter. Cinnabar. The property near Waitahuna (Otago) has changed hands, and the new proprietary contemplate further prospecting and development. Prospecting Operations. Tin is being prospected for near Pegasus Bay, Stewart Island, and a discovery of greenstone at Milford Sound is reported.

SCHOOLS OF MINES. These institutions have been carried on during the year much on the usual lines, and the instruction given has been of considerable service to a number of students whose ambition is to qualify for responsible positions in connection with mining and metallurgical work. The annual reports of work done, &c, at the various schools during the year 1894, follow. THAMES SCHOOL OF MINES. The Director, Mr. 0. G. Adams, A.O.S.M., reports as under : — I have the honour to report as follows on the work done at the Thames School of Mines during 1904. The depressed state of the mining industry in this district has been responsible for a rather low attendance at the school, but those who did attend did good work. Towards the end of the year the attendance improved, and at the time of writing this report —February, 1905—the attendance has very materially increased, so that there is every promise of a busier and more successful year to follow. The attendances are given below in tabulated form. First Term. Second Term. Third Term. Class attendances .... .. .. 52 51 58 Saturday science class .. .. .. .. 32 25 28 Total attendances .. .. .. .. 84 76 86 Registered students .. .. .. 18 19 25 During the year several excursions were made in connection with the mining, surveying, and geology classes. The Easter holidays were spent at Karangahake and Waikino, where, through the courtesy of the several mine and battery managers, the students were enabled to inspect the underground workings and the batteries. The results of the Schools of Mines Examinations held in December are as follows :—

20

Name of Student. >, m a o SI o . 1° '-3 fl us >> j i l l O . s.2 -£■ ! ° « S.2 IS a< n E» a CD ■3.S '-3 3 II EH .3 . a ■«a ■ i S.S !s - 3 a o>. o v 1.2 ft q J| a u -* ■■§• P-i a *>» i| S Ph -2 9 •a .0 s It QE ■*" SCO i d i o I I I -3° g.S oCB M a "3 § > o £ a I o I I o pa L. Andrew*! Y. Booker C. N. Turner .. L. Kitching G. W. Davies .. A. J. Alexander L. Adams A. Baker J. Rickard N. Wylie S. Grigg A. Wylie H. Baker O. Wright J. G. Poulgrain P. Williams P. Kneebone J.Paul M. Grigg E.G.Ellis E. L. Trower .. S. C. Reid T. Mangan E. Thornton .. W. J. Paterson .. P. Payne A. Strong G. L. Thorburn '■ I 68 44 46 64 70 57 Bl 68 47 58 66 29 42 58 52 45 23 43 46 50 68 41 59 54 64 21 42 88 73 76 79 75 59 78 68 75 87 38 45: 34 53 85 72 39 78 't "t 74 63+ t t t 49 t • Scholarshi] candidate. t Fails. I Senior.