29

C—2

Prospecting fob Gold. The following statement shows the expenditure on authorities issued in subsidies to prospecting associations and parties of minors in the different counties for the year ended the 31st Marc]'. 1912 :~ Expenditure for the Year Nbttip of County. &c ending 31st March, 1912. £ s. d. Coromandel .. .. .. .. .. .. 463 15 0 Thames jjg .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 0 0 Ohinemuri .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 415 17 3 Whakatane .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 024 0 0 Inangahua .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 232 15 0 Takaka .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 49 0 0 Grey .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 260 2 6 Westland .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,349 7 0 Ross Borougli Council .. . . . . .. • ■ 327 12 6 Waihemo .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 7 6 Lake .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 8 0 Prospecting associations, &c. .. .. .. .. •• 371 10 3 £3,533 15 0 Government Prospecting Drills. Three diamond drills of Schram-Harker type, with a boring-capacity of 2,500 ft., 1,500 ft., and 500 ft. respectively, also two Keystone traction placer drills of 350 ft. capacity, are lent out by the Government to mining companies and local bodies free of charge. The borrowers have, however, to be machines in good order, and pay all expenses and wages in connection therewith, including i hose of the Government Superintendent of the drill. There has been a considerable demand for these machines, and their introduction has been amply justified. Another diamond drill, of Sullivan (C.N.) type, having a capacity of 800 ft., is under order from America for this Department. The following table shows the work done by Government prospecting drills during 1911 : —

VIII. SCHOOLS .OF MINES. The decline in the number of students attending the schools of mines still continues. This is especially noticeable in the colliery districts, where but few young men attempt to better their position by a course of lectures and study. The advantages to be gained by attending the excellent schools of mines in New Zealand are clearly shown in the report of Professor James Park, Director of the Otago School (see Section VIII, Annexure C, accompanying this report). Professor Park states that at the present time thirty-seven of his old students are profitably employed in mining and engineering in New Zealand. Of these, no less than fourteen hold official appointments in connection with the Mines and Geological Department of the State. Professor Park also gives a list of nineteen old Otago graduates who are at present holding high positions in the mining industry in foreign parts. For two years in succession the forty-guinea premium presented by the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, of London (the most exclusive mining institute in the world), has been won by his ex-students —namely, Dr. A. Moncrief Finlayson, in 1911, and Mr. Alexander McLeod, in 1910. This is one of the principal awards given by this institution, and is open to its members and associate members. To those at all sceptical as to the benefits of the training to be obtained from our schools of mines I strongly recommend perusal of the report by Professor Park.

Tvne ll* ApproU- SS "li°t r£ 8upfSn°dU. To whom lent. "j"*. B»% ™* g£ Character ot Country penetrated. EHi drilled. gTS <g8,.SS Type of Drill. Name of Superintendent. To whom lent. I Ft. In. •. d. Jo. 3— W. Warburton Seddonville State Col- Coal .. 7 978 2£ ' Mudstone and grit .. 11 <H Diamond liery (SchramHarker type) Jo. 2— W.Carter .. i Romulus Syndicate, Gold 3 523 4£ ! Crushed dacite (would not core), 20 11 Diamond Waihi extremely difficult drilling (Schram- hWestport Harbour i Coal 1 334* 5J I Blue clay, containing boulders Harker Board (will not core) type) ) Jo. 1— j T. McMath .. 1 Various Central Otago Gold, al- I 23 1,161 J 6 I Gravel, mostly of schist; easy to if 2 7$ Keystone 1 i G. E. D. Seale I dredging claims luvial 1 14 668 6 i j drill (8 9 Jo. 2— : G. E. D. Seale North Westland alluvial- Ditto .. 44 1,964 fi ; Gravel, consisting of grauwacke : 4 5 Keystone mining claims and large granite boulders; very difficult to penetrate with drive_pipe * Still in progress.