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(c.) REPORTS OF DIRECTORS OF SCHOOLS OF MINES. Mr. A. H. V. Morgan. Director of the Waihi School of Mines, to the I'nder-Skchk'i wry. Mines Department. Wellington. Sir. School of Mines, Waihi, 6th March, 1908. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the work of the Waihi School of Mines during the year 1907. Attendants. The attendance showed a slight increase over that of the previous year, there being an average of sixty-eight students, with a class attendance of 184. Examinations. At the annual examinations twenty-seven individual students presented themselves for the practical and written examinations. This number would probably have been greater but for the fact that the examinations were held so late in the year, making it difficult for students to get the necessary leave. In the case of mining students it generally means losing a shift each time they sit, so that it is not to be wondered at that t hey do not come forward in larger numbers. Those who did sit were on the whole very successful. Altogether fifty-eight papers were sent in for the written examination, with the result that eighteen first-class, and twenty-one second-class, and eleven third-class certificates were obtained. In eleven subjects the marks gained by Waihi students were the highest m the Dominion. In the practical examinations there mere twenty-three candidates, of whom sixteen passed, while five gained the Imllion-assaver's certificate, issued by the Customs Department —namely, R. J. Morgan. 11. Cramer-Roberts. E. Johnson. P. Melrose, and J. S. Langford. Mr. J. Livesev's gold medal for the highest aggregate in mining subjects was won by Adolf Katz ; Mr. M. F. Haszard's gold medal, for surveying, by R. J. Morgan ; and Mr. T. Gilmour's gold medal, for the highest aggregate in any four subjects, by G. Mackie. Prizes, consisting of valuable text-books, drawing-instruments, &c, are also offered in various subjects owing to the generosity of the Waihi Engine-drivers' Association and the School of Mines Council. I have great pleasure in stating that, in addition to the above, another gold medal will be offered for competition by Mr. C. L. Clarke for the student obtaining the highest marks in mechanical drawing at the December examinations. At the Government examinations held in January last year, two candidates from the school obtained battery-superintendent's certificates, while three others obtained partial passes, failing in one subject only. The results for the present year are not to hand. Altogether twenty-three students of this school have obtained certificates as lirst-class metal-mine managers, two as coal-mine managers, eleven as bullion-assayers, and thirty-seven as battery-superintendents. General. During the year 123 assays were made for the public, a considerable proportion being made free of charge for prospectors. The reference library has been further enlarged by the addition from time to time of a number of up-to-date and standard works. The geological collection has also been largely increased by donations of specimens from Mrs. Darby, the Geological Survey, Messrs. P. G. Morgan, M.A., Bovd Beanie, .Max D. King. Beckett, and others, whom I take this opportunity of thanking. A large case of over 130 specimens of American and West Indian rocks and ores has also just come to hand in exchange for a collection of rocks from the Waihi district forwarded some time ago. In July Mr. Fairfield, Instructor in Electrical Engineering, resigned in order to take up the position of Assistant Electrical Engineer to the Auckland City Council. From that date till the end of the year the class was ably conducted by Mr. W T . Oates. Through the kindness of the Hon. the Minister of Mines, who made a special grant of £40 for the purpose, the school will shortly be in possession of a modern science lantern and accessories, which will be of great assistance in illustrating the lectures. In conclusion. 1 wish to express my appreciation of the zeal displayed by Mr. F. T. Seelye, A.0.5.M., assistant lecturer, and Mr. R. fl. Mitchell, drawing-master, who carried out the work of their respective departments with ereat ability and success. I take this opportunity also of conveying my sincere thanks to the Council and the Secretary for their unfailing support and assistance during the year. I have, &c, A. H. V. Morgan, M.A., Director.

• Mr. R. R. Lloyd, Secretary to the Karangahake School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — Karangahake, 4th March, 1908. It affords the Council great pleasure to present this, the ninth, annual report on the work done and the results obtained by the Karangahake School and Waikino School for the year ending 31st December, 1907. Attendance. The attendance for the year has remained about the same as the previous year. The average attendance per term was forty-one, taking an average of eighty-two classes, or t wo classes per student,

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