21

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Conclusion. " Owing to so much of my time being taken up with assaying I was unable to hold any classes for adults, though several persons were anxious to join classes. With the limited amount of spare time at my disposal, even the assaying was rather too much for me, and I was obliged to employ labour for the rougher parts of the work. My laboratory is extremely small, and I have not yet been able to afford the laying-on of water. Gas for roasting purposes and small fusions was laid on about the middle of the year, at my own expense. In studying the rocks of this district I am badly in need of a petrological microscope, and hope before the end of the year to receive some assistance in purchasing one. EXPENDITURE ON SCHOOLS OF MINES. The following table shows the expenditure by the Government on Schools of Mines since their inauguration, exclusive of subsidies paid to the University of Otago towards the School of Mines in connection with that institution :—

The above statement shows the amount expended on the different Schools of Mines throughout the colony; but, in addition to this, the sum of £6,250 has to be added, as that has been paid to the School of Mines attached to the University of Otago, £1,000 being paid last year towards maintaining the school and erecting additional plant, which makes the total expenditure up to the 31st March last to be £22,920 9s. 2d. This expenditure has extended over a period of twelve years.

WATEE-EACES. Waimea Water-race. ~ ■- The deviation of this race is so far advanced that the water is now run in the open ditch. There is still a section of low fluming, about 11 chains, to be constructed to receive the water from the ground-race, and when this is completed the whole of the high fluming will be dispensed with. The sound timber available from the old high fluming is used where practicable in the construction of the low fluming connecting with the ditch. The whole of the timber in this fluming is 7 silver-pine, and will last for forty years in good condition. A great saving in the cost of maintenance is now effected, the old fluming having taken a great deal of labour and material to keep it serviceable. On the whole, this may be looked upon as a work of great importance to the, miners, as there is now less chance of breakages in the race, and consequent loss of time in carrying' on sluicing operations. The amount expended on this work was £1,512 lis. Id. during the year. The branch race to Callaghan's has been completed, and water supplied to the miners during the months of February and March. The amount expended was £329 7s. Id. during the year. No work has been done On the branch race towards the middle branch, Waimea Creek, as no water can be used from it until the completion of the Waimea Main Tail-race. When this is completed about 80 chains of race will have to be constructed to supply water to the claims which the tail-race will command. This new main tail-race has been driven a total length of 2,100 ft., and the trustees are about to sink a shaft to connect with the surface in the large flat on the middle branch of the Waimea Creek. When the communication is made the tail-race will be paved with wood blocks, and several parties are ready to drive branch tail-races to connect with the claims, so that in a short time it will be available for use. The Kelly's Terrace drainage-tunnel has been driven 1,200 ft., and, as the country through which the tunnel is being driven is auriferous, it is probable that payable gold may be struck before the intended termination of the tunnel 6,600 ft. from the entrance is reached. It is expected, therefore, that water will shortly be required to work the ground opened by both the tail-race and the drainage-tunnel. The following statement will show the receipts and cost of maintenance of the Waimea Eace" for the year ending the 31st March last, together with the approximate quantity of gold obtained by those using water for working claims from that supply : —

Financial Years. Chemicals Subsidies towards and Apparatus, the Erection of also Mineralogical Schools of Mines, and Specimens Maintenance. supplied to Schools of Mines. Scholarships. Salaries of Teachers, and Travellingexpenses, &c. Total Sums paid by the Department towards the Schools of Mines. 1885-86 1886-87 1887-88 1888-89 1889-90 1890-91 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 £ s. d. 257 16 6 253 15 9 42 10 0 142 2 0 217 6 6 181 14 0 312 3 4 197 0 5 390 0 0 820 0 0 352 14 11 £ s. d. 36 19 9 409 1 4 253 14 1 6 12 9 181 14 10 54 8 0 £ £ s. d. 1,223 9 10 2,716 9 3 1,714 9 6 1,139 4 1 716 3 10 620 9 9 689 5 9 670 1 0 858 19 4 773 17 8 849 3 0 834 12 8 £ s. d. 1,260 9 7 3,383 7 1 2,221 19 4 1,188 6 10 1,040 0 8 892 4 3 870 19 9 982 4 4 1,055 19 9 1,209 8 6 1,219 3 0 1,346 6 1 45 10 10 58 18 6 50 100 Totals ... 3,167 3 5 1,047 0 1 150 12,806 5 8 16,670 9 2