C.—2.

APPENDIX C.

REPORT OF BOARDS OF EXAMINERS. Geological Survey Office, Wellington, 17th May, 1939. Sir, — On behalf of the Boards of Examiners under the Mining and Coal-mines Acts, 1 have the honour to submit the following brief report on the work of the Boards during 1938 : — Coal-mines Act.—The annual examinations of candidates for mine-managers' certificates under the Coal-mines Act, 1925, were held at Huntly, Reefton, Westport, Greymouth, and Dunedin on the 18th October and two following days. In addition, three candidates (one each at Westport, Greymouth, and Huntly) were examined for mine-surveyors' certificates. Examinations for candidates who desired to obtain underviewers' and firemen-deputies' certificates were held at Dunedin on the 11th and 12th October ; at Huntly on the Bth and 9th November ; at Greymouth on the 17th and 18th November ; and at Westport on the 24th and 25th November. Two special examinations were conducted during the year, one at Ohai on the 31st March for three candidates who held partial passes for firemen-deputies' certificates, and one at Greymouth on the 30th May for a candidate who held a partial pass for underviewer's certificate. The total number of candidates sitting the various examinations under the Coal-mines Act was eighty-four, a decrease of one as compared with the previous year. Ninety gas-testing certificates were issued to candidates during 1938, while one hundred and seventyfive candidates whose certificates were more than five years old were re-examined in gas-testing and their certificates endorsed to that effect. During the year the Board adopted a uniform standard for the examination for gas-testing certificates. Pursuant to section 6 of the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1937, thirty-one underviewers' and seventy-eight firemen-deputies' certificates were endorsed by the Inspectors of Mines. Messrs. J. C. Brown, W. Carson, and J. Watson, whose terms as members of the Board had expired, were reappointed by His Excellency the Governor-General for a further term of three years from the Ist January, 1938. The question of reciprocity with Western Australia as regards colliery-managers' certificates issued after examination was dealt with by the Board and the Board of Examiners for that State was advised that their certificates would be accepted subject in every case to the holder complying with the provisions of the Coal-mines Act regarding certificates by exchange and passing an examination in first aid and law. Mining Act. —Examinations for mine-managers' certificates under the Mining Act, 1926, were held at Waihi and Reefton on the same dates as the examinations of candidates for similar certificates under the Coal-mines Act. In addition, two candidates were examined at Waihi for battery superintendents' certificates, while examinations for dredgemasters' certificates were held at Greymouth and Dunedin on the 23rd November. A special examination was conducted at Reefton on the 28th April for two candidates who held, partial passes for battery superintendents' certificates. The total number of candidates sitting the several examinations under the Mining Act was seventeen, the same number as for the previous year. Pursuant to section 23, Mining Amendment Act, 1936, providing for the appointment to the Board of an additional member holding a Class A Dredgemaster's Certificate, His Excellency the GovernorGeneral duly appointed Mr. S. Chapman as a member of the Board for a term of three years from the Ist May, 1938. Messrs. J. F. Downey, J. R. Noble, and J. L. Gilmour, whose terms as members of the Board had expired during the year, were reappointed by His Excellency for a further term of three years. By the Petroleum Act, 1937, the provisions of the Mining Act, 1926, relating to prospecting and mining for and the storage of petroleum and other mineral oils and of natural gas were repealed, and, consequent upon such repeal, the relative regulations (including provision for the issue by the Board of service permits as oil-well managers) were revoked. Provision for the issue by the Board of similar permits has been made in the Petroleum Regulations recently issued, as well as for the right of the holder of a permit under the Mining Act to exchange his permit for a similar permit under the Petroleum Act. General. —A number of certified copies of certificates lost or destroyed were, on application, granted by both Boards, which also dealt with a considerable number of matters arising out of application for and issue of certificates, none of which, however, calls for special mention.

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