G.—2

APPENDIX C. REPORT OF BOARDS OF EXAMINERS. Geological Survey Office, Wellington, 4th August, 1936. Sir, — On behalf of the Boards of Examiners under the Mining and Coal-mines Acts, I have the honour to submit the following brief report on the work of the Boards during 1935 : — The annual examination of candidates for mine-managers' certificates under the Coal-mines Act, 1925, was held at Huntly, Reefton, Westport, Greymouth, and Dunedin on the 22nd October and following days. In addition, candidates were examined at Huntly and Greymouth for mine-surveyors' certificates under the Coal-mines Act. Four examinations were also held for candidates who desired to obtain underviewers' and firemendeputies' certificates —one at Dunedin on the 2nd and 3rd October, one at Huntly on the 6th November, one at Hikurangi on the 7th November, and one at Greymouth on the 21sfc November. Sixty-seven gas-testing certificates were issued to candidates under the Coal-mines Act. The total of all candidates sitting the various examinations was thirteen less than the previous year ; in fact, the decrease in the number of candidates has been a progressive one for several years past. The revival of the metal-mining side of the industry which has been apparent during the last three years has resulted in an increased number of candidates for certificates under the Mining Act. This increase was maintained during 1935. Examinations of candidates for mine-managers' certificates under the Mining Act were held at Reefton and Waihi on the same dates as the examination of candidates for mine-managers' certificates under the Coal-mines Act, in addition to which an examination was also held at Reefton for persons desirous of obtaining certificates as battery superintendents. Several examinations were also held during the year, as circumstances required, for candidates who desired to obtain dredgemasters' certificates. The main examinations were held at Greymouth and Dunedin on the 20th November. A number of duplicate certificates under both Acts were issued during the year, and the Boards dealt with many other matters arising out of applications for and the issue of certificates. There was nothing, however, that calls for special mention. Lists of text-books recommended by the Boards for students sitting the Boards' examinations were circulated. The following is a summary of the various examinations and the results obtained : —

84

, T . . „ . , Number of Certificates Number of Candidates. issued Act and Examination. Examined. Passed. Partial Pass. Exami^ation . Recognized Credentials. 1. Coal-mines Act, 1925— Mine-manager's certificate —■ (a) First class — Written examination 12\ 2 Oral examination .. 6f (b) Second class— Written examination 4\ 2 j 3 Oral examination .. *6 f Underviewer's certificate .. 13 5 5 5 Fireman-deputy's certificate .. 25 16f 13 16 Mine-surveyor's certificate — Written examination .. 2\ j Oral examination .. . . If 2. Mining Act, 1926 — Mine-manager's certificate — (a) First class —- Written examination 5\ 3 2 3 Oral examination .. *4 f (b) Second class — Written examination 1 \ Oral examination .. If Battery superintendent's certificate — Written examination 2\ Oral examination .. .. .. f Dredgemaster's certificate — Class A.. .. •• 5 5 •• 5 Class B .. .. 10 7 .. 7 Class B (by exchange) .. 1 1 • ■ • • 1 * Includes candidates who had previously passed their written examination. f Includes five candidates who last year were credited with a partial pass pending production of certain certificates.