I.—4a

16

248. Are they well trained in mineralogy ?—Yes, in mineralogy. 249. But not in metallurgical extraction from ores ?—I question it, except so far as the testing of small samples. 250. That is not my question. Are they in metallurgical extraction from ores?- —I do not think that in metallurgical extraction from ores they are. 251. The Chairman.] Have you any idea what number of these students are following up their profession in the colony ?—I could not tell; we employed Mr. Buteman for a very short time, and there is Mr. Montgomery at the Thames, Mr. Fenton at Eeefton ; but I cannot say whether he was a student of Professor IJlrich or not. 252. Mr. Larndch.] Do you know whether Professor Ulrich has a large number of students ?—I do not know how many he had last year; I think he had two or three the year before. 253. Mr. Duncan.] How many schools are there at present ? —Twenty-four. 254. Do you not think it would be just as well if there were fewer ?—I hold that the system was a good one in order to get the mining community to take an interest in the subject, but now fewer schools and more taught in them would be better. They have, however, done good work so far by enabling the miners to become acquainted with the various ores when they see them, and also to be able to test their value. It was never contemplated to carry on these schools in every part of the colony. The intention was to educate the miners so that they could carry them on themselves, so that by having a laboratory in every little mining centre they would be able to test all the ores they met with. After the importance of these schools become generally known I believe it was the intention that they would be carried on without teachers paid by Government.

APPENDIX.

Eepobt of Peofessoe Black. University Laboratory, Dunedin, 2nd December, 1887. I have the honour to inform you that I am writing for you a report on the working, present condition, and constitution of the goldfields schools of mines, and, so far as I can obtain them at short notice, the number of members enrolled in the classes of same. I shall have this report prepared and forwarded to you by the mail that leaves Dunedin on Monday next, reaching Wellington on Wednesday, the 7th instant. I am writing my report under the following heads : — 1. The expenditure on these schools up to date, and showing Government subsidies and local contributions. 2. The property now possessed by these schools under the particulars of (a) lecture-rooms, (b) assaying-plant, (c) chemicals and chemical appliances, (d) collections of minerals, (c) books relating to their studies. 3. The growth of the schools to their present state. 4. The requirements of the mining districts in the matter of technical education such as these schools afford. 5. The work already done by the schools. 6. The subjects that should be taught in the schools. 7. The plan on which, in the light of three years' experience with them, I wish to recommend that these schools be conducted, officered, and subsidised. 8. The number of members enrolled in the several schools so far as I have the necessary information. I have, &c., The Chairman, Goldfields Committee, Wellington. James G. Black.

Sic, — ■ The University, Dunedin, 3rd December, 1887. I have the honour, in compliance with your instructions, to report on the working of the goldfields schools of mines, and on the number of members now enrolled in them. In doing so, I must first express my regret that my information as to the numbers on the rolls is not quite accurate; and that the figures given in that particular are only the best approximation I can make. I have, for the sake of clearness, arranged in tabular form (Table A) the most important particulars relating to the schools on the West Coast and Otago. I have not included the Thames School of Mines and its branches in this table, as my information about those is very incomplete.