C.—2.

structure is probably more plainly displayed than elsewhere in New Zealand, and a detailed study of this region may lead to. conclusions of some practical value to architects and engineers. Two officers of the Geological Survey investigated the soils of the central part of the North Island on which region deficiency diseases of stock are prevalent. These diseases are directly dependent on the soils which are formed of, or profoundly influenced by, the showers of ash different volcanoes have ejected. The work of the geologist has been in separating out the different showers and in tracing their distribution and thickness. Except for the annual report and a number of papers contributed by the members of the staff of the Geological Survey to the New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology, the only publication printed during the year was Dr. Marwick's comprehensive report on the Tertiary molluscs of the Gisborne district. This should aid geologists in working out the structure of the oil-bearing rocks of this region. The renewed interest in prospecting entailed additional work, and, in addition, several deposits of economic or possible economic value have been examined. SCHOOLS OF MINES. Competition for the six scholarships which are offered annually by the Department to students attending the schools of mines within the Dominion was again keen. Bight candidates sat at the annual Schools of Mines examinations held in November of last year, and, of these, five candidates (three from the Thames School and two from the Dunedin School) were successful in gaining scholarships, which are tenable for four years at the University of Otago. The expenditure on Schools of Mines for the year ended 31st March, 1931, was £3,672, as compared with £3,499 for the previous year. The schools supported are situated at Thames, Waihi, Huntly, Westport, Reef ton. Runanga, and Dunedin. The work carried out has been satisfactory. MINERS' PENSIONS. Pensions for miners suffering from miner's phthisis were first provided for in the Miner's Phthisis Act, 1915, which has since been incorporated in the Pensions Act, 1926. The original provision was for flat-rate pensions for married and single miners respectively, payable only in cases of total incapacity, but by the Finance Act, 1929, the conditions were relaxed to cover cases of serious and permanent incapacity, and provision was made for increased pensions to miners with dependent children under fifteen years of age. The Act is administered by the Pensions Department, and the following summary supplied by that Department shows an all-round increase in payments during the twelve months ended 31st March, 1931, due principally to the amendment of the law referred to : — £ Payments from Ist November, 1915, to 31st March, 1930 446,031 Payments, 1930-31 .. .. .. .. 58,441 Total payments to 31st March, 1931 . . £504,472 Number of new grants for year 1930-31 . . . . 155 Annual value of new grants . . . . . . £14,222 Number of pensions in force at 31st March, 1931 . . 876 Annual value of pensions in force at 31st March, 1931 . . £62, 575 Average pension per annum . . . . £71 Bs. 7d. Number of pensions granted to 31st March, 1931 . . 1,782 Dissection of pensions in force at 31st March, 1931 — Unmarried miners . . . . . . - . . 149 Married miners .. .. .. ... 332 Miners' widows . . . . . . . . 395 876

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