C.-2

52

Mr. A. H. V. Morgan, M.A., Director of the Waihi School of Mines, to the Under-Seceetary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Waihi, 14th March, 1913. I have the honour to present my annual report upon the work done at the Waihi School of Mines during 1912. The average attendance of students during the year was forty - seven, with an average class attendance of 103. The diminished attendance as compared with previous years was due to the industrial crisis, extending over the whole of the second and third terms, which was the cause of many students leaving the district. The falling-ofE is clearly shown in the following table of attendances : First term : Individual students, 62; class attendance, 138. Second term : Individual students, 42; class attendance, 98. Third term : Individual students, 37 ; class attendance, 73. However, now that industrial peace is assured for some time to come, we may with confidence look forward to another period of steady progress and prosperity. Examinations. —Although on account of the decreased attendance at the end of the year a smaller number of candidates sat for examination, the results were proportionately much higher than the previous year, as is shown in the following table : 1911 —Number of candidates, 39 ; total number of papers, 63 ; first-class certificates, 16 ; second-class certificates, 15; third-class certificates, 18 ; failures, 14. 1912 —Number of candidates, 20 ; total number of papers, 42 ; first-class certificates, 20 ; second-class certificates, 13 ; third-class certificates, 6 ; failures, 3. In addition to the above seven passes were secured by candidates in the practical examinations. I have much pleasure, in stating that a Government scholarship of the annual value of £50, tenable for three years at any New Zealand University college, has been secured by one of our students, Mr. A. H. McClean, while another student, Mr. L. Grange, has passed the first section of the Scholarship Examination. Also, Messrs. J. R. Thomson and H. Langdon have qualified for bullion assayers' certificates, issued by the Department of Trade and Customs. President's (Mr. T. Gilmour) gold medal for highest aggregate : Mr. J. M. Corbett obtained the highest aggregate in any four subjects with an average of nearly 80 per cent. He won the same distinction and the medal two years ago, and was ineligible to receive it again this year, and it therefore passes on to Mr. A. H. McClean, the next highest. Mr. Haszard's gold medal for surveying was this year passed in, no student having secured the minimum 66 per cent. Government certificates : At the last examination for Government certificates, held in March, 1912, Mr. J. R. Thomson obtained a certificate as first-class mine-manager, while Mr. A. Walker obtained a partial pass. In the examination for battery superintendents Mr. C. Kingsford was successful. Altogether thirty-three students of this school have obtained certificates as first-class metal-mine managers, forty-two as battery superintendents, and twenty-three as assayers of bullion under the Customs Department. In conclusion, I have much pleasure in again acknowledging the zeal and ability with which the members of the staff carried out their duties, and the co-operation and assistance of the Council, especially the secretary. I have, &c, A. H. V. Morgan, M.A., Director.

Karangahake School op Mines. —Annual Meeting, sth March, 1913. The annual meeting of the Karangahake School of Mines was held on Wednesday, sth March. In the absence of the patron (Mr. H. Poland, M.P.), Mr. Barrance was voted to the chair. The report and balance-sheet were read and adopted. The report showed the attendance to be lower than usual, owing to the Waihi strike having greatly [affected the attendance at the Waikino branch school. The average number of students was twenty-seven, and the average of attendance was fifty-two. At the annual examinations held in December fifteen students sat and obtained fourteen first-, four second-, and nine third-class certificates. Two students also passed in the practical examination. Mr. G. E. Hyde was successful in obtaining one of the New Zealand Government scholarships, and an ex-student of the school (Mr. A. Hf McClean) also gained a scholarship. Mr. Hyde had an excellent average of 81 per cent, in six subjects. The Council's prizes were won by G. E. Hyde and J. McDonald, and Mr. Hurdsfield's prize was won by Mr. C. Jenkins. The students were top in no less than eight subjects, and Mr. R. Connolly deserves special mention for obtaining 100 per cent, in senior electricity. During the year eighty-one public assays, mainly of gold, were put through. This includes a number of prospectors' samples, which, if obtained in this county, are done free. The scholarships offered by the Council to boys of public schools were won by R. Seally and J. Short ; one student also obtained his winder's certificate. During the year several standard works have been added to the library. The statement of accounts showed the total receipts for the year as £872 Bs. 2d.. and the expenditure £591 4s. 2d., leaving a credit balance of £281 4s. The Chairman, in a few well-chosen remarks, presented the certificates and prizes. The election of officers for the year resulted as follows : Patron, H. Poland, Esq., M.P. ; president, Mr. W. T. S. Wilson ; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. Hyde, T. Hogg, and H. Croucher ; Councillors, Messrs. Lewin, J. Tait, E. Patten, P. Moran, R. R. Lloyd, R. L. Birks, and Jolly. The Council desire to thank the Mines Department, Ohinemuri County Council, Waihi Borough Council, and others for assistance and donations, also Mr. J. E. Redpath for honorary services as auditor.