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Attendance. —The attendance for each of the terms was as follows : First term, thirteen students ; second term, fifteen students ; third term, fourteen students. Two students, John Bradshaw and Thomas Hughes, have gone on active service. Examinations. —Seven students presented themselves at the annual Government, examinations. Four certificates in mathematics and one certificate in each of the subjects of mining (coal); ventilation ; and pumping, hauling, and winding were gained. At the examinations for underviewers' and deputies' certificates two underviewers' and three deputies' certificates were granted. Library. —The books supplied by the Mines Department, and also the Geological Survey Bulletins, are of great use, and are much appreciated by students and members. Equipment. —The equipment of the school is far from being complete, but I expect some, improvement in this connection within the next few months. IJhave, &c, J. Lamont, Director.

Mr. W. H, Baker, B.Sc, Director of the Thames School of Mines, to the Under-Secratary op Mines, Wellington. Srß,— Thames, 20th April, 1916. I have the honour to present my annual report on the work done at the Thames School of Mines during the year 1915. Attendance. —The attendance has been rather less than that of the previous year, owing to the continued mining depression and the departure of students for the front. Over forty past and present students have volunteered and are serving in almost every branch of the service. Examinations. —At the annual Government examinations twenty-two students sat for examination and obtained twenty-three first-class, three second-class, and four third-class certificates. Two students passed the first-grade examination in electricity of the City and Guilds of London Institute. Battery and Experimental Plant. —Eight parcels of ore were treated, ranging from |- cwt. to 9 tons, and varying in value from £5 per pound to 10s. pin- ton. From a total of 15 tons treated, bullion to the value of £2,158 was obtained. Eighty-five assays were made for the public, including several prospectors' samples, and several analyses of ore and bullion for export. Gas-testing Plant. —The Hailwood gas-testing plant has been utilized on several occasions, and sixteen certificates were granted during the year. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the work done by the stafPJand of the keen interest of the Council in the welfare of the school. I have, &c, W. H. Baker, Director.

Mr. W. F. WoRiiEY, Director of the Nelson School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary op Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Nelson, 15th March, 1916. I have the honour to present my report on the work done at the. Nelson School of Mines for the ,gear ended the 31st December, 1915. Owing to the war and other causes my work here was considerably curtailed. The usual blowpipe analysis classes—which for the past twenty-five years have been the outstanding feature of our work—were, I regret to say, not held. The members of these classes were always boys from the upper standards in the public schools, and the work had to be done out of school-hours. As a result of the war, the services of these boys were required to aid various patriotic movements, and to assist in places of business. They therefore had not time to attend the blowpire analysis classes, which had as a consequence to be discontinued. Assaying. —For the first eight, months of the year not a single sample was sent for assay ; but a few came in towards the end of the year. At the request of the Director of the Geological Survey I went to the Dun Mountain mineral belt to collect specimens of rocks required for exhibition in the new London offices of the High Commissioner of New Zealand. The rocks collected were dunite, websterite, chromite, anthrophyllite, rodingite, and prehinite-rodingite. Some notes on the geology of the district were also supplied to the Director of the Geological Survey. I have, &c, W. F. Worley, Director.

Mr. H. Lovell, Director of the Westport School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary op Mines, Westport. Sir,— Westport, 29th March, 1916. I have the honour to present my report on. the Westport School of Mines, and its branches at, Ngakawau, Millerton, and Denniston, for the year ended 31st December, 1915. Attendance.- -Despite the departure of several students for the front, the average attendance has been well maintained, and is equal to that of last year. The average attendance for the year was forty-two, with an average class attendance of eighty. In addition to the above a teachers' science class attended by twenty teachers was held. Examinations. —Twelve students presented themselves for examination at the annual school of mines examination, and secured eight first-class, two second-class, and three third-class certificates in the following subjects : chemistry, mining, ventilation, and mathematics.