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those who had worked in it were now occupying high positions in mining affairs outside our shores, and, knowing the distinction that the possession of a diploma of the Otago School of Mines brought to its holder, it would, he considered, have been a national calamity if the school had been done away with. That diploma was recognized all over the world, and a school of mines established in any other centre of the Dominion would have required years before it could have been worked up to the excellent position occupied by the Otago School. Some' time ago he went through the old building, and when he saw the rain actually coming into it, it was a marvel to him how the students carried on their work. It must have been very depressing to them to work in such unfavourable surroundings, yet many of them had won great success in their profession. And as successful results had been achieved under those adverse conditions, what might the students of the future be expected to do in the' new building I Year by year lie thought it would be found necessary to receive funds from one' source or another to fully equip the school. His colleague had said that during twenty-four years the Government had given £13,000 to the Otago University. But the' people of Dunedin had given a great deal more than that out of their own pockets. Whenever an appeal had been made on behalf of the University the people throughout its length and breadth had found the' means required to enable the institution to get out of its trouble. The Council, he understood, now desired to wipe out the few remaining debentures, so that it might be in a position to say that the University was free of debt. He sincerely trusted that that time would not lie long in coming. After that the Council would have a clear course, and in the future it would lie able to do even better work than it had done in the past. He thanked the University authorities for extending an invitation to him to be present. Professor James Park, the Director of the Mining School, quoted statistics showing the number of associate diplomas and certificates issued in the different departments since 1887, the first year in which diplomas were granted. He also enumerated the honours and scholarships gamed by the mining students, atid the responsible' places held by many of the old graduates. Political economists said that gold-mining was the most profitable industry the people of a State could engage in. The gold-miner added to the gold reserve of the State, and competed with no one. He asked, What made the phenomenal prosperity of Dunedin in the sixties and seventies, and Auckland so prosperous at the present time? To foster gold-mining was the work of a statesman. Equipment. —The attention of the Minister was directed to the urgent need of equipment for the teaching of applied mechanics and practical electricity. Applied mechanics was the essence of milling engineering. It was impossible to teach a man to shoot without a gun, and it was equally impossible to train mining engineers without the necessary appliances and testing machines. Electricity was now so extensively used in connection xvith mining and metallurgical operations that it had been made a compulsory subject of examination for mine-managers' and battery-managers' certificates, and also for the B.E. degree of the New Zealand University. It was estimated by the Director that the sum of .£1,400 would be required for a modest equipment in these two departments. The Minister said he was well aware of the great importance of applied mechanics and practical electricity in relation to mining, and promised that the matter of equipment in these important departments xvould receive favourable consideration. It is gratifj-ing to state that the sum of £500 was afterwards granted, xvhich will enable a beginning to be made at once in the providing of equipment for these important departments. Surveying Course. In 1901 the instruction in surveying xvas divided into a course covering two full years. It was rearranged, and adapted to the requirements of the examinations of the Surveyors' Board of Examiners. After a correspondence ranging over a period of two years the Governor in Council has amended the Survey Regulations so as to recognize the work of mining graduates, who will now be permitted to sit for the Licensed Surveyors' Examination without having been previouslyarticled to a licensed surveyor, provided they have complied with the regulations relating to practical work. Laboratory. During the year 255 assays and analyses were made for the public by Professor Waters. During the same period 57 samples of rock or mineral were reported on by the Director, ami 40 by Professor Marshall—all free of charge. Acknowledgments. In conclusion, the Director wishes to acknowledge his appreciation of the zeal and ability with which Professors Marshall and Waters have carried out the work in their several divisions during the period covered by this report. University Museum.—Report of the Curator (Dr. W. AY. Benham, D.Sc. Lond., M.A., F.Z.S.). The Hocken Wing. Although it does not come within the year under review, yet the importance of the event warrants me in referring to the fact that Dr. Hocken's valuable gift of books, pictures, and other documents relating to the history of Australasia was received and installed in the rooms set apart for them in the nexv wing of the Museum during the month of March, 1910. The building was, on the 31st March, formally declared open to the public by His Excellency the Governor, Baron Plunket. A full report of the proceedings has been published in the daily papers.