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Staff. —I wish to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the work done by the members of the staff, especially Mr. Seelye, upon whom devolved a large amount of extra work on account of my absence. I wish also to thank" the Council for their generous action in granting me leave of absence in order to proceed on active service. I have, &c, A. H. V. Morgan, Director.

Mr. James Lamont, Director of the Huntly School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Huntly, 28th April, 1917. 1 have the honour to present my annual report on the work done at the Huntly School of Mines during the year 1916. Attendance. —The attendance was practically the same as the previous year. A number of students are at present serving in the Expeditionary Forces, but this is counterbalanced by new registrations. Since the inauguration of the school over three years ago the activity in the coalmining industry at Huntly has decreased considerably, otherwise the attendance would have been much higher. Examinations. —At the annual Government examinations eleven certificates were gained. At the mine-managers' examination one student was successful in gaining a second-class collierymanager's certificate, and at the underviewers' examination three candidates were successful. During the year I have examined candidates, and issued seven certificates for testing the correct percentage of gas in mine-air. Equipment. —A Hailwood's gas-testing machine has been installed, and is frequently made use of in demonstrating to students and in examining the ability of underground officials to detect the correct percentage of gas in air-mixture with a safety-lamp. The gas for use in the machine is conveyed from Auckland in steel cylinders. Surveying-instruments have been acquired, and students can now be taught practical field-work. Electric lighting has been installed, the current being taken from the town-supply mains. Library. —The stock of books in the library deals with all branches of engineering science, is kept well up to date, and is much appreciated by students and members. In conclusion, I have to acknowledge the assistance rendered me by the members of the Council, who maintain a keen interest in the welfare of the school. I have, &c., James Lamont, Director.

Mr. H. Loveld, A.0.5.M., Director of the Westport School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Westport, 4th April, 1917. 1 have the honour to present my report on the Westport School of Mines, and its branches at Ngakawau, Millerton, and Dcnniston, for the year ended 31st December, 1916. Attendance. —The average number of students attending the school was forty, with an average class attendance of eighty-three. This is rather less than last year, the average attendance being forty-two. Examinations. —Government certificates : At the examinations for Government certificates under the Coal-mines Act held in December last seven candidates presented themselves, with the following results: First-class mine-manager—W. Crowe, Ngakawau; partial pass, M. McClean, Ngakawau, and W. H. Hewitson, Denniston. Second-class mine-managers—F. Duffy, Denniston; partial pass, W. Lowden, Ngakawau. Underviewers and deputies: Two candidates sat for underviewers' and four for the deputies' examination, W. Manor passing in the former, while 11. Reid, B. Miles, and I. Pratt passed in the latter examination. T. Calder secured a partial pass in the deputies' examination. Assay Laboratory. —Thirty-two samples of ores and minerals were examined and reported on during the year. The majority of the samples consisted of quartz ores for assay. Library and Museum. —Again I have to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of text-book, mining and geological literature from the Department. In conclusion, let me express my appreciation of the interest taken in the school's welfare by the members of the Council. I have, &c, H. LovELL, Director.

Mr. Sidney Fry, Director of the Reefton School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Reefton, 9th May, 1917. I have the honour to present my report on the work of the Reefton School of Mines for the year, ended the 31st December, 1916. Attendance. —The average attendance at classes during the year was —Reefton, ten students; Waiuta, eleven ; Greymouth, fifteen. Gas-testing. —Demonstrations and examinations were held monthly in the latter part of the year, and seven students gained certificates of competency.