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engaging therein becoming more or less acquainted with the subject. Under Mr. Ellis'? continued able supervision this department continues its good work. The further additions to the machinery anticipated last year were duly received and installed during the year, with the result that this branch of the school is well equipped with apparatus for practical demonstration and use. During the year, as the result of suggestions made at the annual meeting on the matter of arranging a system of examinations be more suitable Council considered the matter carefully, and agreed to certain recommendations, which were duly forwarded to the Minister of Mines. The chief recommendations were that the annual examinations in December might be made to serve for the mine-managers' and battery-superintendents' certificates also, thus avoiding two setsjof examinations, and that students might be allowed to take their examinations for the certificates in stages. The matter i.s in abeyance in the hands of the Mines Department, pending an intended conference of the latter with the Directors of the schools of mines. I have to acknowledge with thanks receipt of a number of specimens for the museum from various gentlemen, including a valuable piece of pitch-blende from Mr. R. E. Williams, and a beautiful specimen of Coromandel gold donated by Mr. Frank Shepherd. Thanks are also due to Messrs. Thomas Gilmour, Haszard, and Livesey for their gifts of handsome gold medals, and to the proprietor of the Australian Mining Standard for donating prizes for mining and metallurgy. 1 desire also to take this opportunity of recording my appreciation of the ability and enthusiasm displayed by the members of the staff, and the co-operation and assistance of the Council and secretary. I have, &c, A. H. V. Morgan, Director.

Mr. W. H. Baker, B.Sc, Director of the Thames School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Thames, 19th March, 1912. 1 have the honour to present my report on the work done at the Thames School'of Mines during the year 1911. Attendance. —As mining prospects did not materially improve during the year, so the school attendance remained practically the same as during the previous year. The average number of individual students was 89, of whom 38 were registered students, 38 elementary science students, and 12 members of the teachers' science class. Examinations. —Sixteen registered students presented themselves for examination, and obtained six first-class, ten second-class, and six third-class certificates. Twelve students in the elementary science class were also examined, and obtained one second- and two third-class certificates. The practical examinations in assaying were this year very disappointing, as only two students succeeded in obtaining passes. The President's medal, awarded by the Hon. James McGowan, was won by W. H. J. Cropp, who sat for examination in nine subjects, with the average result of 62-5 marks. Mr. E. F. Adams's prize for metallurgy wax won by L. Stevenson, who obtained the highest number of marks in this subject throughout the Dominion. In the elementary science class, J. Lyes was awarded the Council's prize, and five others obtained prizes for attendance. Battery and Experimental Plant. —Various improvements, including the renewal of an elevator and the addition of a slimes-sump, were made to the plant, and everything now works satisfactorily. Five parcels of ore were treated, and satisfactory tests carried out. In one parcel from Te Aroha silver telluride was proved to exist abundantly, aud the plant gave very valuable data for the future treatment of so refractory an ore. Assay plant: During the year 228 assays were made for the public from all parts of the Dominion. Museum. —Many valuable additions have been made to the mineral collection during the year, including typical samples of the Bonanza ore-shoot of the Talisman, nodular quartz from the Watchman, and Westralian specimens from Mr. McLean. The thanks of the school are tendered to the donors of these and other specimens to the museum. Library. —The library has been further extended by books supplied by the Mines Department. The lending library instituted by the Department is very much appreciated by the students and staff. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the work done by the staff, and my thanks for the interest and support of the Council in furthering the interests of the school. I have, &c, W. H. Baker, B.Sc., Director.

Mr. H. Lovell. Director of the Coromandel School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Coromandel, 23rd April, 1912. I have the honour to report as follows on the work of the Coromandel School of Mines for the year 1911. The average number of individual students in attendance for the year was eleven, with a classattendance of thirty-five. Instruction was given in the following subjects : Mathematics, chemistry, assaying, geology, mining subjects, surveying, mechanical drawing, and electricity. During the year 100 assays, consisting mostly of ores for their gold and silver contents, were made for the public. Four students presented themselves at the annual school of mines examination, aud obtained the satisfactory average of 48-5 per cent, of marks in the eleven subjects in which they sat. I have, &c, H. Lovell, Director.