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status. The total number of students enrolled during the time it has been in existence is fifteen, and the average attendance is eight. Some of the students are very diligent, and, we have no doubt, will give a very good account of themselves. Two of the students sat at the examination for engine-drivers' certificates a few weeks ago, and both passed. We have pleasure in tendering our heartiest thanks to those gentlemen who have so generously helped to augment our collection of rocks, ores, and fossils, among the donors being Messrs. Tennent and Eichards, Mines Inspectors; Mr. James Bradley; and Mr. A. McKay, Government Geologist, who kindly sent twenty-six specimens of representative New Zealand fossils, which have been labelled and will be displayed in a proper show-case. Through the courtesy of Dr. Ohly, of Colorado, U.S.A., we obtained a good sample of monazite sand, and the Director also obtained samples of Australian monazite from Bichmond district, New South Wales, and from Bonang in Victoria. We have lately removed our apparatus into fresh premises, which are a portion of the old Courthouse, and though we are not yet fixed up properly are carrying on our work as heretofore. This building, though leaving much to be desired, is certainly an improvement on the premises just vacated. It will be our endeavour during the present year to try and make arrangements for the issue of class certificates, as done in other schools of mines, in order to give students some encouragement by having a definite object in view in their studies. REEFTON SCHOOL OF MINES. The Director, Mr. J. Henderson, submits the following report:— Mr. T. O. Bishop resigned the position of Director in August last in order to take up an appointment with the New Inkerman Company. I had carried on the work of the school for two months previous to my appointment in September. Owing to this the report is more or less incomplete. The attendance during the year seems to have been about the average, with, as usual, a falling-oif in the last term. On Roll. Attendance. First term ... ... ... ... ... ... 45 28 Second term ... ... ... ... ... ...50 25 Third term ... ... ... ... ... ... 46 19 Classes were carried on during the year in chemistry, assaying (wet and dry), surveying, mining, metallurgy, and mechanical drawing. At the annual examination only six students sat, but all did fairly well. The results are as follow : First class, 4; second class, 3 ; third class, 1. At last year's annual examination for mine-managers' and battery-superintendents' certificates a number (I have not the exact figures) of students sat. Of these one obtained a first-class certificate at once, and two more in the interim examination. This year four students are sitting for first-class certificates. During the year ninety-seven samples were received for assay, chiefly quartz and tailings for gold; although bullion assays and assays for tin, copper, and silver were also made. In conclusion I have to thank the Committee for their support, and especially Mr. Ashby, the Secretary, for his able assistance. OTAGO SCHOOL OF MINES. Professor James Park, F.G.S., the Director, reports as under: — Diplomas and Certificates. The mining school for the session ending the 7th November, 1903, showed the satisfactory attendance of thirty-two registered students, and two casual students for one subject only— namely, one in geology and one in surveying. Of the registered students, twelve entered for their first year, leaving twenty in their second, third, or fourth year, according to their academic standing. Three students in their final year completed their course in the divisions for which they entered; and one of these, having presented satisfactory certificates of time spent in mining operations, as required by Eegulation 9, was awarded the diploma of Associate in Mining to which he was entitled. The successful candidate was Otto Albert Friedlander. Diplomas and certificates were issued during the year to seven students who had passed the necessary class examinations prior to 1903, on the production of the necessary certificates relating to practical work, as follows:—Frank Hadfield Statham, (1) diploma of Associate in Mining, (2) certificate of Metallurgical Chemist and Assayer; William Ernest Barron, certificate of Land and Mine Surveyor; Stanislaus Charles Napier-Bell, diploma of Associate in Geology; James McGregor Wilkie, diploma of Associate in Metallurgy ; Harold F. de Eenzy Harman, diploma of Associate in Metallurgy; Claude G. L. Gregg, diploma of Associate in Mining; Kenneth Monirose Graham, diploma of Associate in Mining. Annual Examinations. The attendance in the different classes and the results of the annual examinations in the subjects of instruction in the mining school, as prescribed by the regulations for the different courses, are shown in the following tabulated statement: —