C—4b

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ha-^e special knowledge in the methods of testing for the same. The other metals named above are also in a state in which it requires skill and experience to determine them. 4. The remarkable irregularity of the richness of the quartz-reefs on the Thames, as exemplified by the alternating fortunes of the Prince Imperial, Golden Crown, Moanataiari, Caledonia, Cambria, &c. A study of the conditions under which gold is introduced into reefs, together with a study of the character of the mine waters, stalactite formations, and mineral character of the country, would throw a good deal of light on this irregularity in the character of the stone, and bring what now seems to be capricious under the domination of fixed and ascertained laws of nature. 5. The variety of soluble salts and exudations about the walls of the reefs, and the complex and highly acid character of the mine-waters. These features, so strongly marked, offer a fine field for the studies of the school, and are closely connected with the mineral character of the district. 6. The proximity of the Hot Lakes District; the occurrence of mineral springs, some cold, some hot, in the Waihi, Paeroa, and other localities close to the Thames, and at Te Aroha, itself an important mining centre. 7. The peculiar geological features of the country-rock through which the auriferous quartzreefs run. 8. The curious fact of gold being found in pure crystallized calc-spar, and probably also combined with sulphur in silver-bearing stone. 9. The large accumulations of tailings on the Thames foreshore, necessarily containing a very large quantity of gold, shot into the bay in the earlier days of quartz-crushing operations here. These rich tailings offer a large field for profitable study and scientific treatment to the authorities in charge of the school. 10. The recent discoveries of silver ores previously unsuspected at Waihi, Karangahake, and Waiorongomai, and the necessity of training men in reliable methods of testing the value of these. There is also the most important question of how most efficiently and profitably to extract the silver from such ores under local conditions. This involves a thorough knowledge of some departments of chemistry as well as of mechanical engineering, and a practical acquaintance with the processes in use in Nevada, Saxony, Spain, Mexico, and other countries where similar ores are successfully treated. 11. The great number of experienced mine and battery managers, miners, and assayers o^l the Thames, that have already taken a most intelligent and practical interest in the subject, resulting as it has done in the creation of a school of mines, now awaiting provision for its adequate support. 12. The central position of the Thames in the Coromandel Peninsula, being nearly equidistant from the important mining districts of Coromandel, Waihi, Karangahake, Te Aroha, and Waiorongamai, with easy communication by water with Auckland. 13. The desirability of encouraging, stimulating, fostering, and supporting the efforts already made by the Thames community, they having raised a sum of over £500 in their determination to provide for technical instruction for themselves in so important an industry as mining, on which the Thames community entirely depends. Other important circumstances might be stated, strengthening the appeal of the Thames School of Mines Association for liberal government assistance, but enough has been said to justify their claims. During my visit to Waihi, Karangahake, and Waiorongomai I was strongly impressed with the necessity of getting for the miners of these silver-bearing districts early and reliable information about the details of the various processes now in use in Nevada, Mexico, and the other silverproducing regions of North America. These processes are well enough known here theoretically, and are described in many recent books and periodicals. This is not, however, what is wanted. It would be useful to have among ourselves, connected with the Mines Department, and available for giving practical direction in the erection of works and plant, some one who has a practical knowledge of the processes, who has seen them at work, who has acquainted himself with the machinery and appliances, who has, in short, mastered the processes in all their details where they are in full operation. I do not know of a better way of meeting this great want than by sending a qualified person to the Pacific Slope for a period of several months to collect and bring to New Zealand the information that is so urgently required on the Coromandel Peninsula, as well as at Collingwood and other parts of the colony. I am preparing, and shall forward for your consideration in the course of the week, a scheme of classes on all the goldfields of the colony for next year. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Mines. James G. Black.

No. 2. Professor J. G. Black, M.A., D.Sc, to the Hon. the Minister of Mines. Sib, — University Laboratory, Dunedin, 7th June, 1886. I have the honour, in accordance with your instructions, to forward for your consideration a list of the proposed teaching staff for the goldfields schools of mines classes during the year, Ist November, 1886, to Ist November, 1887 ; also a detailed account in tabular form of the proposed expenditure in connection with said classes, under the separate headings of salaries, travelling (hotel) expenses, travelling (conveyance) expenses, chemicals and apparatus, and subsidy for text-book— " Black's Chemistry for the Goldfields;" also proposed distribution or allocation of lecturers on the different goldfields of the colony, and a statement of the qualifications of each member of the