E.—6

5

It is gratifying to note that in the case of most of the rural secondary schools steps are being taken to bring the curricula into closer touch with the pupils' environment. - Many of them now provide opportunities for instruction in subjects bearing 'on rural pursuits. Improved facilities for instruction in subjects relating to the home are also being provided in several secondary schools. New buildings or additions to buildings for manual-instruction purposes have been erected during the year or are in course of erection in connection with Wellington Girls' College, Marlborough High School, and Gore High School; while necessary equipment for manual instruction has been provided at Palmerston North High School, Wellington Boys' College, Christchurch Boys' and Girls' High Schools, and Rangiora High School. Technical Instruction. Satisfactory progress continues to be made by controlling authorities and managers throughout the Dominion in the matter of providing, improving, and extending facilities for technical instruction. The schools and classes, with few exceptions, continue to receive satisfactory support at the hands of those for whose direct benefit they exist. The interest taken by local bodies and various industrial and trade organizations in the schools has not only strengthened the hands of those responsible for the conduct of the classes, but has also assisted very materially the finances of the controlling bodies. During the year nearly £5,000 in the way of voluntary contributions was received by these bodies. These contributions carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £1. The Government has, as in previous years, favourably considered applications for new buildings or additions, and for necessary equipment for technical instruction. New or additional buildings have been erected or are in course of erection at Woodville, Nelson, Christchurch, Kaiapoi, and Ashburton, while necessary equipment has been provided for technical classes at Auckland (the School of Mines), Wanganui, Palmerston North, Napier, Nelson, Christchurch (the Technical College and the Schools of Engineering and Art, Canterbury College) and Dunedin (the Technical School). During the year grants, totalling £11,495, were distributed to controlling authorities in aid of buildings and equipment for technical classes. There are now about fifty well-equipped buildings available for the accommodation and instruction of technical classes. As in previous years, classes in the smaller and more remote centres where buildings specially adapted for the purpose have not yet been provided have been carried on in the local schools or in suitable rented buildings. Thus, in the Wanganui district classes were held at twenty-three such centres, in the Hawke's Bay district at ten, in the Taranaki and North Canterbury districts at nine, and in the Wellington and Southland districts at seven. These classes are for the most part conducted by itinerant instructors. Following are some particulars regarding technical classes (including day technical schools) in operation during the year : — The number of places at which recognized classes were held 1910. 1911. was .. .. .. .. .. .. 115 130 The number of day technical schools was .. . . . . 8 8 The number of other classes was . . . . . . . . 1,828 1,467 The number of individual students at day technical schools was 1,216 1,341 The number of individual students attending other classes was 13,252 13,632

The status of the classes was as follows :—

Status. I Number of ! Number of Day Number of Centres. i Technical Schools, other Classes. Number of Students. ' Special " classes .. : ' Associated " classes ' College " classes . . 112 4 837 27 4 472 3 .. 158 7,777 6,547 649 Totals 142 8 1.467 u: it-: 14,973