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Mr. E.. J. Banks was awarded the President's medal for the highest aggregate in all subjects. His average was 84 per cent., a very creditable performance. Two candidates for the School of Mines University scholarship were sent up by the Thames School, and one of them—Mr. W. Donovan—secured first place and a scholarship, with an average of 89 per cent. Mr. Banks took second place, and was equal with Mr. Barrance, an old Thames student, who competed for the Otago scholarship. The former holders of the school of Mines scholarship—viz., Messrs. McLaren and Baker, both of the Thames School of Mines—have received notice that they have this year gained their University degree. Moreover, each of them has gained a Senior University scholarship, one of the chief honours of the University; and that two such prizes as Senior University scholarships should be carried off in the same year by former pupils of this school, while speaking well for the ability and industry of those pupils, shows that the School of Mines scholarships have been worthily bestowed, and have enabled the holders to obtain a valuable University training. The following table shows the results of the late examinations : —

Results of Annual Examinations, 1898.

During 1898 the following Government certificates were granted to Thames School of Mines students after examination : Six first-class mine-managers' certificates, nine battery superintendents' certificates : making a total for the Thames School up to the end of 1898 of forty-one first-class mine-managers' and nineteen battery superintendents' certificates. In January, 1899, I supervised the annual Government examination for which there were twenty-three candidates. Eleven of these were Thames students, six sitting for battery superintendents', one for first-class coal-mine manager's, and four for first-class mine-managers' certificates, but the results are not yet available. The following table shows the details of the experimental tests made on the different parcels of ore forwarded to the school battery for treatment. The determinations in connection with these trial parcels—viz., the assays, melting, and valuation of bullion, &c.—are all done by the Director and the Assistant, in order that accuracy may be insured. Students, however, are permitted, subject to the Director's control, to work in the plant, and are thus enabled to acquire much useful knowledge of the practical details of ore-treatment. Several students have rendered valuable assistance to me in the battery, and I gratefully acknowledge the willing help of Messrs. Banks, Donovan, Graham, Finn, Ferguson, and McLean:—

Subject of Examination. First Second Third Class. Class. Class. Failed. Total. General and mining geology Pumping and winding ... Ventilation and explosives Mining and applied mechanics Theoretical chemistry (senior) Theoretical chemistry (junior) Practical chemistry (senior) Practical chemistry (junior) Practical assaying, dry (senior) ... Practical assaying, dry (junior) ... Practical assaying, wet (senior) ... Surveying (land and mine) Map-drawing ... Mineralogy and blowpipe Drawing Metallurgy Science class for schoolboys • 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 5 3 2 2 • 1 2 1 1 2 2 6 2 4 1 1 2 1 5 2 3 4 3 1 4 2 11 5 6 6 6 2 5 7 9 3 3 q 2 1 1 1 4 3 2 1 2 1 1 4 Totals 33 25 17 81