e.—2

66

APPENDIX C REPORT OF BOARDS OF EXAMINERS. Sib, — Geological Survey Office, Wellington, 27th June, 1930. On behalf ol the Boards of Examiners under the Mining and Coal-mines Acts, I have the honour to submit the following brief report on the work of the Boards during 1929. The annual examinations of candidates for mine-managers' certificates under the Coal-mines Act, 1925, were held at Waihi, Huntly, Beefton, and Dunedin, on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th October. Four examinations of candidates for certificates as underviewers and firemen-deputies under the Coalmines Act, 1925, were also held —one at Dunedin, on the 27th August; one at Greymouth, on the 27th and 28th November; one at Westport, on the 30th November and 2nd December ; and one at Huntly, on the sth and 6th December respectively. In addition an examination of candidates for batterysuperintendents' certificates, under the Mining Act, 1926, was held at Waihi and one at Dunedin for a dredgemaster's certificate. The following is a summary of the various examinations held and the results obtained : —

The three second-class mine-managers' certificates credited by examination in the above table include two candidates who had previously passed their oral examination but who were required to complete their written examination and were successful therein. In addition to those in the above table one mine-surveyor's certificate under the Coal-mines Act, 1925, was issued. As the candidate possessed the necessary credentials, no examination was required for this certificate. Seventy-seven gas-testing certificates — eleven more than last year — were also issued, as well as two duplicate firemen-deputies' certificates to replace originals accidentally destroyed. Under the Mining Act, 1926, four service permits as oil-well managers were granted. The number of candidates who sat at the examinations for mine-managers' certificates constituted a record for recent years, and compares with eleven for first-class certificates and eleven for second-class certificates who sat in 1928. The work of the candidates for second-class certificates was up to the usual standard, but the work of those who sat for first-class certificates could not be considered good. The annual meeting of the Board was held on the Bth January last, having been postponed from the previous month owing to two members of the Board being engaged on the Commission set up to inquire into the disaster at the Linton Mine. Messrs. W. Carson, James Bishop, and J. C. Brown, whose appointment as members of the Board of Examiners under the Coal-mines Act, and Mr. J. L. Gilmour, whose appointment as a member of the Board of Examiners under the Mining Act, expired during the year, were reappointed to the Boards. Mr. H. E. Walshe, who was appointed to the position of Surveyor-General, vice Mr. W. T. Neill (retired), automatically became a member of both Boards. Correspondence was received from the Board of Mining Examinations, London, requesting full particulars relative to the granting of first- and second-class certificates of competency as coal-mine-managers, and the question as to whether these New Zealand certificates are accepted by the British authorities for exchange purposes has been taken up with the London Board. A complete list of the certificates issued during the year is as follows : — COAL-MINES ACT, 1925. FIBST-CLASS MINE-MANAGEKs' CERTIFICATES. Issued on Production of Certificate from a Recognized Authority outside the Dominion. Andrews, Thomas Lightbody, Rotowaro. McArttmr, James, Granity. Brown, Walter, Blackball. Issued after Examination. Glendennmg, James William, Dobson.

Number ol Candidates. Number.o^Certificates Act and Examination. _ Examined, j Passed. Becognized 1. Coal-mines Act. 1925 — Mine-manager's certificate — (a) First class .. . . .. .. .. | .. .. .. 3 Written examination .. .. 16 I 4\ Oral examination .. .. 4 1 J" (b) Second class — Written examination .. .. 12 8\ Oral examination . . . . .. 7 1J Under viewer's certificate .. .. . . . 22 | 12 .. 12 Fireman-deputy's certificate .. . . . . 39 ! 28 * i .. 28 j 2. Mining Act, 1926— Battery superintendent's certificate .. ... 2 1 | 1 Dredgemaster's Class B certificate . . . . 1 1 ] 1 5