67

o—3

Proximate Analysis. (a.) (b.) (c.) Moisture .. .. .. .. .. .. 139 136 12-7 Volatile combustible matter .. .. .. 34-4 356 368 Fixed carbon .. .. .. .. .. 49-3 48-5 483 Ash .. .. .. .. .. .. 2-4 2-3 2-2 1000 100-0 1000 Ultimate Analysis. (a.) (b.) ( f .) Moisture .. .. .. .. .. .. 13-9 136 12-7 Ash .. .. .. .. .. .. 239 2-30 220 Sulphur .. .. .. .-. .. .. 0-17 0-21 0-16 Carbon .. .. .. .. .. .. 57-16 57-10 5774 Hydrogen . . .. . . . . .. 326 3-39 392 Nitrogen .. .. .. .. .. .. 028 o'lB 020 Oxygen (by difference) .. .. .. .. 22-9 23-4 23-3 100-06 10018 100-22 General. During the year the reference library has been enlarged by the purchase of new books to the value of £20, raised by half-crown subscriptions by the students, subsidised by the Council. The geological collection has also been supplemented by donations of specimens from various donors. The Mines Department kindly agreed to print 250 copies of a new syallbus for the school. These came to hand early in the present year, and will prove very useful. At the annual meeting of subscribers, held in the school on the 22nd February, the following officebearers were elected : Patron —W. H. Herries, M.H.R. ; President—T. Gilmour ; Vice-presidents— A. T. Kenrick and W. H. Johnston; Council —A. H. Benge, F. M. Haszard, J. L. Gilmour, J. Livesey, E. J. Banks, C. F. Sims ; students' representatives —F. Stewart and E. V. Turnbull. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the zeal and ability displayed by Mr. F. T. Seelye, A.0.5.M., assistant lecturer ; Mr. R. H. Mitchell, drawing-master ; and Messrs. J. G. Lancaster, M.Sc, and G. Fairfield, instructors in electrical engineering. I take this opportunity also of conveying my sincere thanks to the Council and the Secretary for their unfailing support and assistance during the year. I have, &c, A. H. V. Morgan, Director. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. In presenting its report for the year 1906, the retiring Council can congratulate the members and students on the excellent progress made by this school during the past year. From both the financial and educational points of view the school is now in a better and firmer condition than it was at the last annual meeting, and there are pleasing evidences that a greater interest is being taken in the work and advantages of the institution by the young men in our midst. Not only has the number of registered students increased, but the class attendance has largely improved, showing a more earnest endeavour to work on the part of those attending. The average of registered students for the year 1906 numbered sixty-five, with a class attendance of 171. With the exception of the year 1903, when the attendance averaged sixty-eight, this is the highest record of the school, and compares favourably with both the years 1904 and 1905, which had respectively an average of fifty-eight and fifty-six, and a class attendance of 113 and 118. At the annual examinations held last December, twenty-five students sat, gaining thirty-three first-class certificates, twenty-two second-class, and eight third-class, and obtaining eleven first places for the colony. In the previous year twenty-two students sat, gaining sixteen first-class, seventeen second-class, and six third-class certificates, and seven first places. The results for the past year are therefore highly satisfactory, and reflect great credit on the Director and his staff. The proportion, however, of students sitting for examination is still low compared with the total attendance, and an improvement in this respect is hoped for next year. The epidemic of influenza prevalent at the time, and difficulty of getting leave from work, account largely for the small number who presented themselves, many intending sitters being prevented from attending. During the year the Council endeavoured to inaugurate classes for first aid to the injured, but so little interest was taken in the subject, and so few names were submitted as students, that the Council did not see its way to go further in the matter, and was obliged to let the project drop. An effort was made to obtain free passes on the Government railway for students attending the school from Waikino and Owharoa, but this request was refused by both Railway and Education Departments, on the ground that the' school did not come under the heading of educational institutions mentioned by the Act. At the beginning of the year a request was made to the Mines Department for a special grant to erect and equip a workshop for the electrical engineering classes, but no satisfactory decision has yet been received, and the proposal is still in a state of uncertainty.