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Mr. W. F. Worley, Director of the Nelson School of Mines, to the Unjder-Secrktary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Nelson, 28th March, 1913. I have the honour to present my report on the Nelson School of Mines for the year ended the 31st December, 1912. Blowpipe Analysis Class. —This class was in session from the 10th April to the 10th December. There were in it twenty-one students, six of whom had had a previous year's training. The class met thirty-four times, the total number of attendances being 377. As in previous years, the class was drilled in testing for antimony, aisenic, bismuth, lead, tin, zinc, iron, nickel, cobalt, chrome, copper, and manganese. In addition to these the two-years students tested for gold, silver, platinum, sodium, potassium, calcium, titanium, sulphur, and nitrates. Three of those who had had a two-years course sat'for examination in elementary blowpipe analysis, and each qualified easily for the certificate, as the appended list will show : — Total Attendance Percentage for Two Years. of Marks. Clifford Knapp .. .. .. .. .. .. 67 97 Leslie Teller .. .. .. .. .. .. 62 88 Neville Green .. .. . . .. .. . . 64 84 Assaying. —During the year thirty-seven assays were made for prospectors, mining companies, and the public. This number of assays, though not so large as in former years, was a considerable advance upon last year's work, and indicates still further interest in the development of our mineral resources. Assaying Class. —One student, a young man, took a short course of lessons in assaying for gold, silver, and lead. Popular Lectures. —During the winter three lantern lectures were delivered in the Nelson Boys' School, the subjects being (a) earthquakes, (b) volcanoes, (c) the mining industry of New Zealand. Geology. —Some investigations were made along the line of the supposed " Eichmond fault," mentioned in Bulletin No. 12, but at present definite conclusions have not been arrived at. I have, &c, W. F. Worley, Director.

Mr. H. Lovbll, Director of Westport School of Mines, to the Under-Seoretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,-— Westport, 2nd April, 1913. I have the honour to present my report upon the work of the Westport School and its branches at Millerton, Denniston, and Ngakawau for the year ended the 31st December, 1912. Owing to the death of my predecessor, Mr. Hercus, the school was without an instructor for two months, and this report bears principally upon the period during which I have been in charge, dating from the Ist July. The attendance at the school has averaged thirty-eight, with an average class attendance of seventy. The students were distributed over the main school and the various branches as follows : Westport, 10 ; Denniston, 9 ; Millerton, 11 ; Ngakawau, 8. .At the annual examinations held in December fourteen students presented themselves and obtained four first-class, three second-class, and six third-class passes. Six students of the school sat for the examinations for deputies and underviewers, and I understand were all successful. One student presented himself for examination for first-class coal-mine manager in the examination held on the 22nd March. During the year 140 samples were assayed, and consisted mainly of ores for gold and silver contents. The list of assays of samples, other than those for gold and silver contents, comprised coals, mine-gases, tungsten-ore, bullion assays, and base bullion. The school labours under great disadvantages at the branches, where there is absolutely no equipment for teaching. The want of surveying-instruments is keenly felt. Furthermore, the wide district to be covered precludes the possibility of one instructor getting good results, inasmuch as only one night in the week can be given to each school, and much time is spent in travelling. I have, &c, H. Lovell, Director.

Mr. J. F. McPaddbn, Director of the Eeefton School of Mines, to the Tlnper-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Eeefton, 31st March, 1913. I have the honour to present my report on the work of the Reefton School of Mines for the year ended the 31st December, 1912. Attendance. —First term, twenty-nine students ; second term, twenty-seven students ; third term, sixteen students ; fourth term, twelve students. The poor attendance during the year was due to cessation of work at the main mines. Waiuta School. —Attendance at this school averaged eight students for the first half-year. During July this school was closed owing to the majority of students leaving the district, and was reopened during November, the attendance being six students.

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