LECTURES TO SCHOOLS OF MINES ON GOLDFIELDS.

Kumara Times, Issue 3071, 6 September 1886, Page 3

LECTURES TO SCHOOLS OF MINES ON GOLDFIELDS.

From a late number of Hansard we quote the following motion made in the House by Mr Peacock, member for Newton (provincial district of Auckland), for a reduction by £2OOO of the proposed estimate to defray cost of lectures by Professor Black; also Mr Seddon’s reply thereto. Mr Peacock moved the reduction by £2,000 of the item, “ To defray cost of lectures by Professor Black and others in the principal mining centres throughout the colony, and for schools of mines, contribution of £1 for £l, £4,000.” He thought the amount was too large, in consequence of the expenditure incurred for travelling allowances. He found that there was no less a sum than £1,450 paid for travelling and hotel allowances, while the salaries were £1,690. Professor Black received £450 for salary and £3OO for travelling expenses. There was another item of £l5O for travelling expenses for Mr Montgomery. These were for six months. The whole system on which the Minister was proceeding was wrong. There were gentlemen of ample ability and talent to bo found in Auckland to do the work at the Thames at a much less sum for salary, and scarcely anything for travelling expenses. Then, there was a subsidy of ss. for 480 copies of Black's Chemistry, to enable them to be sold at half-price—£l2o. He thought this item could well be reduced by £2,000. Mr Seddon replied that the practical results of Professor Black’s work were appreciated by all who had a knowledge of the goldfields. He possessed the practical faculty of imparting knowledge toothers; and the proof of that was to be found in the circumstance that young men who had been pupils of his could now lecture on these sciences, and could hold an audience spell-bound for hours while giving information on these subjects. Professor Black was not content with talking in technical terms, but he took men up to the leads, and taught them in the most practical way lessons that were of the utmost value in their every-day work. So far as the cost was concerned, if Professor Black was the right man—and those who knew anything on the subject must be aware that he was—it did not matter if the cost was £2,000 a year. The money was well spent, and the value obtained for it undoubted by those who were able to appreciate it. After further discussion, the item was carried ; Ayes 28, Noes 25.‘