C.—2

APPENDIX C.

REPORT OF BOARDS OF EXAMINERS. Sib, — Geological Survey Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1931. On behalf of 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 1930 : — It is with great regret that I record the death on the 27th July last of the late Mr. James Bishop, who had been an active member of the Board under the Coal-mines Act for nearly forty years, having been first appointed to the Board in 1891. His death was a great loss to the Board. Mr. John Watson, of Huntly, was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr. G. E. Breeze, Chief Inspector of Machinery, was also appointed to the Board to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. W. Cullen. The annual examination of candidates for mine-managers' certificates under the Coal-mines Act, 1925, was held at Waihi, Huntly, Reefton, and Dunedin on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd October. In addition, a candidate was examined at Reefton for a mine-surveyor's certificate under the Coal-mines Act, and one was examined at Waihi for a battery-superintendent's certificate under the Mining Act, 1926. Four examinations of candidates for certificates as underviewers and firemen-deputies under the Coal-mines Act were also held—one at Dunedin on the 2nd September, one at Westport on the 14th November, one at Greymouth on the 19th and 20th November, and one at Huntly on the 26th and 27th November. Three candidates were also examined at Greymouth on the 20th March for dredgemasters' certificates. The following is a summary of the various examinations held and the results obtained :—

Under the Coal-mines Act, 1925, 118 gas-testing certificates—forty-one more than last year— were also issued, as well as two duplicate firemen-deputies' certificates and three gas-testing certificates to replace originals accidentally destroyed. Under the Mining Act, 1926, three service permits as oil-well managers were granted. The number of persons applying for certificates under the Coal-mines Act shows an increase over that of last year, but the number applying for certificates under the Mining Act was negligible. The work of the candidates who sat for examination was about the same standard as last year. Further correspondence has been received from the British Board for Mining Examinations with reference to the issue of first- and second-class mine-managers' certificates and mine-surveyors' certificates. The British Board advises that it will recognize the Board's first-class mine-managers' certificates in the usual way, subject to satisfactory information being received as to the equivalency of the standard of training, but is not prepared to accept the Board's second-class certificates, as in its view the examinations for these certificates do not reach the standard imposed in Great Britain. As regards the first-class certificates, a person holding a New Zealand certificate would require to undergo an oral examination in all subjects and a written examination in mining legislation. If successful he would then be granted a British certificate, but not by exchange.

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Number ol Candidates. Number of Certificates issued. Act and Examination. ~ ' Passed. action, ggggfe 1. Coal-mines Act, 1925 — Mine-manager's certificate— (a) First class — Written examination .. .. 16 4\ 2 o* Oral examination .. .. .. 4 If (b) Second class — Written examination .. .. 12 10 \ , Oral examination .. .. .. 8 5 J ' Underviewer's certificate .. .. .. 28 13 .. 13 Fireman-deputy's certificate .. .. .. 44 31 .. 31 Mine-surveyor's certificate .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. 2 2. Mining Act, 1926 — Battery superintendent's certificate— Written examination .. .. .. 1 1 \ Oral examination .. .. .. .. 1 .. J Dredgemaster's certificate .. .. .. 3 1 .. 1 * Includes a candidate who had previously passed his examination but was required to produce further certificates regarding his ability in surveying. t Includes two candidates who had previously passed their oral examination but who were required to complete their written examination, and were successful therein.