OTAGO SCHOOL OF MINES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2585, 20 August 1909, Page 5

OTAGO SCHOOL OF MINES.

REQUESTS TO THE MINISTER OF MINES.

[l’eji Press Association.] DUNEDIN, August 19. A deputation waited on the Hon. It. McKenzio this morning in order to bring under his notice several matters concerning the Otago School of Mines. Mr. Sidey, who introduced the deputation, asked that the Government subsidy, which was reduced from £750 to £SOO last.year, be again increased to the former amount. The next point referred to was that of equipment. The sum of £SOOO voted for the building nad all been spent in constructon, and £6OO was requred to adequately equip the school. The deputation also brought up the matter of requirements for underground, and urged that graduates of Mining Schools and holders of diplomas be exempted from two years’ service underground. Reference was also made to scholarships. It appears the Goveminent offered four scholarships of £4O each; two to the North Island, one to the West Coast, and one to Otago, but Otago’s was a dead letter because there was no Government Mining School to take it up. The Minister, after stating the Otago School of Mines was probably the best in the Dominion, said he felt inclined to assist in getting the subsidy back to 6750. As for equipment for applied mechanics and applied electricity, he would be willing to assist if Parliament; would vote tbe money. The question of reducing the time underground been many times before the Minos C ommittee, and they never listened to the proposal. He found throughout the mining districts that miners considered five years necessary, and he agreed with them. There ought to be a distinction made between that required foil mineral mining and that for coal mines. If men from other parts were admitted here after only three years experience, he would try to have an understanding arrived at so that either they should be brought up to the status required here, or that ours should bo brought down to put our men on an equal footing; but any attempt to bring down the standard would bo strongly opposed by every mine in New Zealand. As for the scholarship regulations, he would see what could bo done without altering general regulations. The now School of Mines budding was opened by the Minuter in tho afternoon.