51

C—2

ANNEXURE D.

REPORTS OF DIRECTORS OF SCHOOLS OF MINES. Mr. U. B. Inglis, A.0.5.M., Director of the Coromandel School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — . Coromandel, 17th March, 1913. I have the honour to present my report on the work done at the Coromandel School of Mines for the year 1912. Attendance. —The individual number of students attending the school was as follows : First term, 7 ; second term, 19 ; third term, 19 ; the increase in the second and third terms including a number of young ladies who attended the classes in mathematics, science subjects, and book-keeping. The total number of class subjects was thirteen, and the attendance was extremely regular. Annual Examinations. —As there were several students for subjects such as engine-driving and book-keeping, for which there is no recognized School of Mines examination, only nine students sat for the annual examinations. These nine students, however, sat in ten subjects and gained the unusually high average of 72 per cent, of marks, being by far the highest average marks per student per subject of any of the six schools in the Dominion. Seven passes were also secured in the practical examinations. There was only one failure in a practical and one in a theoretical subject, and twelve first-class, five second-class, and three third-class certificates were gained by students. One student obtained the highest marks for the Dominion in three of his subjects. One student passed the Junior Civil Service Examination and has since gained a good position, and one passed the teachers' C examination in geology and electricity. Assays, &c. —During the year forty assays were made for the public and for mining companies, and there are indications that there will be a large increase in the number in the coming year. A number of chemical analyses of minerals and analyses of soils were also made in the latter part of 1912. Library, &c. —A number of valuable books were added to the school library by the Council, and various improvements made to the school building. Chemicals and assay materials were also purchased in quantity. The books belonging to the school are much used and greatly appreciated by the students and members. In conclusion, I have to thank the members of the Council for the very hearty interest they have taken in the welfare of the school, which has resulted in putting it in its present healthy position, and has aroused the interest of the local and surrounding public. I have, &c, Übquhart B. Inglis, A.0.5.M., Director.

Mr. W. H. Baker, B.Sc, Director of the Thames School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Thames, 2nd April, 1913. I have the honour to present my report on the work done at the Thames School of Mines during the year 1912. Attendance. —In spite of the continued mining slump the school attendance remains practically the same as last year. The average attendance of individual students was eighty-two, of whom thirtyfour were registered students, thirty-eight elementary science students, and twelve members of the teachers' chemistry class. The average class attendance was 107. Examinations. —In the practical examinations in assaying and chemistry fifteen students were examined and twelve were successful in passing. In the written examinations twenty-three students presented thirty-seven papers and obtained ten first-class, nine second-class, and nine third-class certificates. W. H. J. Cropp was successful in qualifying for the School of Mines Scholarship, and will continue his studies at the Otago University. F. A. Ellis qualified for the Customs Assayers' Certificate. W. H. J. Cropp and L. Whitehead were awarded the Australian Mining Standard's prizes. In the elementary science class prizes were awarded to J. Lyes, F. Grigg, A. Ellis, R. McLean, E. Penno, E. Morgan, and R. Judd for attendance, and to R. Judd for the highest marks obtained in this class. Battery and Experimental Plant. —The battery has been in good working-order throughout the year, and five parcels of ore were treated. With the concentration and fine grinding plant very valuable tests can be made, which will indicate to a mining company the most satisfactory method of treatment. In the assay plant 160 assays were made for the public, and over one hundred on the ore being treated in the battery. Museum. —The collection in the museum continues to be enlarged by donations of mineral samples. The thanks of the school are due to Mr. Denby, Mr. Warne, and others for donations of specimens. Library. —The lending library is largely availed of by the students, to whom the reference-books supplied by the Department are a great convenience. The library has been further increased by the donation of part of the library of the late Hon. James McGowan, for many years President of the school. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the work done by the staff, and my thanks to the Council for the keen interest displayed in the progress of the school. I have, &c, W. H. Baker, B.Sc. Director