Appendix A. Examinations for Mines Managers' Certificates Under "the Coal Mines Act, 1891," of New Zealand.

The examinations last four days, and there were in 1892 ninety-one written questions, aa well as an oval examination on the provisions of the Act, The following are examples of the questions:—

(1) Describe your operations in detail in sinking through the following strata: Surface clays and gravel, 13 feet; strong sandstone, 60 feet; soft clay, 40 feet; strong sandstone, 20 feet; conglomerate, 40 feet, (This is one of seven questions occupying together three hours.)

(2) How would you work a coalscam 12 feet thick, with good roof and pavement lying at 1 in 20? Give all dimensions, and state what percentage of coal you consider you could win.

(3) What area would you have supported on timber in working the pillars in a 6 feet thick seam of hard coal with an ordinary sandstone roof? Explain when and how you would draw the props.

(4) An upcast 20 fathoms deep has a chimney 60 feet high added to it: what is the difference in water-gauge and volume of air circulating if 5,000 cubic feet was passing at first?

(5) What is the condition in the character of a coal that renders dera it liable to spontaneous combustion, and what condition of the mine is chiefly instrumental in allowing this property in the coal to come into action?

(6) Explain the method of using, and give sketch of, the clip you prefer in endless rope haulage.

(7) Does the workable coal of New Zealand occur in one or more positions in the coal-formation?

(8) Give the composition of an average lignite and of a brown coal. What is their distinguishing feature from a bituminous coal, apart from caking? (9) The candidate must produce a plan showing the style of workings in a colliery, with the surface taken up for at least twenty acres in the vicinity of the shaft, and the underground workings in different coloured ink. He must describe how he page 111 would connect them with the surface in the event of there being only one shaft. The levels and main heading must have assumed tranverse calculated in detail, and showing latitude and departure for each bearing.

(10) 10 degs., 200 linkss 4 degs., 700 links; 3 degs., 200 links; all rang at an angle of 80 degs.; thence a drive runs 186 degs., 100 links, also rising ad at an angle of 10 degs.: what are the vortical and horizontal distances between start and finish?

(11) What is the and the