Huntly School of Mines.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 20 August 1915, Page 3

Huntly School of Mines.

In order to ascertain what progress was being made by the Huntly School of Mines, which ■was completed in August of last year, a representative of this paper waited on the Secretary of that institution a few days ago and was shown over the building and the various arrangements explained. The interior of the building has recently undergone alterations and now comprises two lecture rooms. The back room is to be used as a laboratory and to that end a chemistry bench running the full length of one wall and containing sinks, cupboards, drawers, racks etc and with : water laid on, ha 3 j ust been completed —Hero the student will be taught how to analyse fuel and all other branches of chemistry necessary for a coalmining student.

It is anticipated that a Hailwood Gas Testing Machine will be installed at an early date, the only «thing likely to hinder the installation being the difficulty experienced in obtaining a supply of the necessary gas. This matter our representative was given to understand is being thoroughly investigated and it is hoped shortly to-overcome the difficulty.

The main lecture hall was the next room visited and here there

is ample accomodation for more students than are at present availing themselves of the opportunities so easily within the reacli of all ambitious men with a desire tp forge ahead in the coal mining world. That the comfort of students during the cold weather has been considered was evident, for a stove recently installed, should add considerably to the warmth and cheerfulness of the room. Leaving the main hall, the front room, which was next inspected, has been furnished as a library —an attractive glass book-case running the full length ot one wall —contains a large number of the very latest text bocks on mining and allied subjects, and here the student may consult authorities and peruse the latest mining journals as

often as the inclination takes him. It was also mentioned that the Council would like to see all subscribing members make full and free use of this library during any time the school is open. All these improvements have been undertaken and completed during the past few months, and while it was conceded that more equipment would be necessary the school could be concomplete ; it was pointed out that, with the more or less slender resources at its disposal the Council has done remarkable well, and could, of course, only carry out improvements as funds become available.

The public had been very generous in the past, and the future of the school depended on them to a very great extent, but there was every reason to believe that the usual support would be forthcoming when “ subscription day ” came round again. Regarding the progress made by students, it is of course rather early in the day to look for results in a subject like coalmining, nevertheless, at the Government examination Held at the latter end of the year, those of the students who sat for either deputy or under-viewers certificates in every*case were successful. The students at present attending the school are, in the majority of cases, making good progress, and when the next examination day rolls around it is anticipated that there will be a few more passes placed to the school’s credit.