a—3

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Theodolite. —Our old theodolite having through constant use got into a very bad state of repair, application for a new one was made to the Mines Department, which kindly forwarded a 5 in. Watts theodolite about the end of September. Our thanks are due for the gift, though its value was somewhat discounted by a request for the return of the old instrument, which, though almost useless for accurate work, would still have been useful for placing in the hands of raw beginners. Library. —During the year the library has been much used and appreciated by the students. Thanks must be given to the Mines Department for the following pulications : Neiv Zealand Mines Becord; Mines Report; Coal-mines Commission Report; Park's "Geology of Mines and Minerals " (twelve copies); Government Geologist's " Report on Seismic Disturbances at Cheviot," and Report on Deep-level Mining at the Thames. A few books have been procured during the year, making altogether about a hundred volumes, besides Government publications ; but many more are needed in order to bring the library up to date and increase its sphere of usefulness. In conclusion, I have to thank the Council for the efficient manner in which they have conducted the business of the school and attended to its various requirements. Thanks are due also to Messrs. A. H. V. Morgan, M.A., and F. T. Seelye, A.0.5.M., who have successively filled the post of assistant lecturer; to Mr. Leslie Jolly, A.0.5.M., temporary assistant; to Mr. R. H. Mitchell, who has conducted the drawing class with marked ability during the year ; and to Clarence King and Stafford Clark, laboratory assistants. KARANGAHAKE SCHOOL OF MINES. Mr. R. B. McDuff is the Director of this school. The following is the annual report of the Council: — It affords the Council great pleasure to present the fourth annual report on the work done and the results obtained during the year ending the 31st December, 1902. Attendance. —During the year the attendance was a slight increase on that maintained for the previous twelve months, being for the three terms 32-3 students, taking an average number of 104 classes. With the improvement in mining matters at present obtaining in this district, even larger attendance can be looked for during the present year. Equipment. —As stated at the last annual meeting, the equipment of the school for the advantageous study of the subjects embraced in the curriculum was fairly complete, and during the year a few additions —notably a set of bullion rolls for the assay class and some additional text-books— have been added, and the Council have lately received an offer from the Very Rev. Dean Hackett of some further technical works, which will greatly enhance the value of our library. The Council take this opportunity of reminding all members of the institute, whether students or not, that they are entitled to the use of the books of the library at any time, provided the book is not taken away from the building, and, as these works comprise most of the best authorities on any of the mining branches practised in this district, members may gain great help by taking advantage of their privileges in this respect. Examinations. —At the examination for mine- and battery-managers' certificates held last year six candidates were provided by the school. They sat at Waihi, and the results showed four to have gained first-class certificates, one a partial pass, and one to have failed. Owing to the inconvenience journeying so far in order to sit, the Council forwarded a recommendation to the Board of Examiners that Karangahake be appointed an examination centre in future, and the Board has been pleased to grant this. At the annual Government examinations in connection with the schools of mines throughout the colony, held in December last, thirteen students presented themselves, and the results to hand show the Karangahake School to have headed the honour list for New Zealand, in spite of the fact that several other schools boast a larger attendance and presented a greater number of candidates, and, further, that this school is the youngest in the colony. This must be most gratifying to the members and students, and especially to the Director (Mr. McDuff), whose painstaking efforts have been a continual source of pleasure to the Council. The gold medal offered by our President (A. H. Curtis, Esq.) to the student gaining the highest aggregate in any five subjects was won by Mr. R. D. Jones with an aggregate of 376, Mr. F. Cordes being next with 348. Beceipts and Expenditure. —The treasurer's statement shows the total receipts from all sources to have been £322 16s. 6d., while the expenditure totalled £232 12s. Bd., leaving a credit balance at bank and in hand of £90 3s. lOd. Becommendations. —The Council before retiring from office wish to recommend to the new Council that immediate steps be taken to enlarge the school building, the present assay department especially being totally inadequate to accommodate the large class taking this course, the Director having had, perforce, to split the class, thus doubling his work in this particular subject, in order to overcome the difficulty of accommodation. The Council therefore recommends that the Government be approached with the request for a special grant to carry out these additions. Election of Officers and Councillors. —During the year our President, vice-president, and one Councillor left the district, the Council under by-law 11 appointing Mr. T. G. Vinson to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Travers. REEFTON SCHOOL OF MINES. Mr. T. O. Bishop, A.0.5.M., the Director, submits the following report : — On my arrival here late in June I found that no effort had been made either by the students or the committee to carry on the work of the classes between the time of Mr. Lee's resignation and