E.—7

38

The first student who started work for the diploma in 1911 has completed the course, and is now entitled to the diploma in home science, which will shortly be awarded. The two other students who began the course at the same date decided to spread their work over three years ; consequently they will not enter for their final examination until October next. The practical courses in cookery, laundry-work, and housewifery have been well attended, a large number of outside students having joined the practical classes above mentioned. We were hampered in our work during the summer session (from January to March, 1913) owing to the lack of a properly equipped laundry in which to carry out the practical side of the laundrywork. Nevertheless, the standard of the work turned out was a high one, and the students showed a keen interest in the problems connected with the removal of stains : the use and abuse of the various detergents used in laundry-work the means taken to prevent shrinkage ; and the fading of the colours of materials during the process of washing, drying, and ironing ; and some very creditable work was done in the final examinations. Before next summer session it will be necessary to build our model kitchen and laundry, and it is hoped that the hall of residence for the home-science students (in which much of the practical work will be carried out, including the housewifery) will be open before the winter session of 1914. The needlework course proved so useful last year that 23 students have entered for it this session. Next year we shall obviously have to duplicate the classes, and I propose to hold a junior and a senior course, so that external students can attend for two successive years, if they wish to become still more efficient in this art. The dressmaking class produced some very satisfactory results. The results of the examinations held in October and November last were as follows : For the degree of Bachelor of Science, in home science 2 students gained second-class passes in applied chemistry, and in household economics, Part I, and first-class passes in organic chemistry. Two passed the Intermediate Medical Examination in chemistry, and 2in physios. All of these gained their practical certificates in the above subjects. For the diploma the results were as follows : Needlework —in Class I, 3 students ; Class 11, 2 students ; Class 111, 1 student. Business affairs—Class I, 2 students ; Class 11, 2 students; Class 111, 3 students. English — Class 11, 1 student; Class 111, 3 students. Physics—Class I, 1 student ; Class 11, 2 students ; Class 111, 2 students. Practical laundry-work and housewifery—Class I, 2 students ; Class 11, 4 students. Theory of laundry-work and housewifery —Class I, 2 students ; Class 11, 4 students. Practical cookery — Class 1,1 student ; Class 11, 3 students. Inorganic chemistry—Olass I, 1 student ; Class 11, 3 students ; Class 111, 2 students. Physiology —Class I, 2 students. Applied chemistry, Part I—Olass 11, 2 students. Applied chemistry, Part II —Class 11, 4 students ; Class 111, 1 student.

School of Mines.—Report of the Director. (Professor James Park, M.lnst.M.M., M.A., 1.M.E., F.G.S.). The Mining School for the session of 1912 showed an attendance of 30 students, of whom 1 I were entered for the full associate courses and 1 for the surveying course, the remaining 15 attending the classes in geology. During the year there was a greater demand for young graduates to fill posts as mine-surveyors and mine officials than in any previous year, and it was a matter for regret that the supply was unequal to the demand. Among the more important appointments secured by old students with some years of experience behind them were the following : — (1.) G. W. Thomson, A.0.5.M., general manager, Pearl Lake Gold-mines (Limited), Porcupine, Ontario. (2.) E. Fletcher Roberts, A.0.5.M., consulting engineer, Vincent County Council. (3.) Cyril Gudgeon, general manager, Gold and Scheelite Company (Limited), Macrae's Flat, Otago. (4.) H. Lovell, Director, Westport School of Mines. (5.) U B. Inglis. A.0.5.M., Director, Co romandel" School of Mines. (6.) S. Napier-Bell. A.0.5.M.. general manager, Nigeria Mines (Limited}, Northern Nigeria. (7.) Herbert Black, A.0.5.M., general manager, Sifwi Mines. Gold Coast. West Africa. (8.) F. W. Thomas. A.0.5.M., assistant manager, A'Koon Mines (Limited). Wesl Africa. (9.) A. Barron. A.0.5.M., assistant manager, Nigeria Mines (Limited), Northern Nigeria. (10.) 0. Gore Adams, A.0.5.M., general manager, Porko Tin-mines (Limited). Bolivia. (11.) A. M. Finlayson, D.Sc. A.0.5.M., chief mining geologist, Burma Oil Company, Rangoon. Mr. John McKmlay passed the examinations of the New Zealand Board of Examiners, and obtained his diploma as a licensed surveyor. Laboratory: During 1912 the number of samples of ores and minerals forwarded by the public for examination and valuation by assay or analysis was 148. The samples comprised ores of copper, iron, tungsten, limestones, gold-bearing quartz, bullion, &c. The bulk of the determinations were for gold.