E.—s.

Over two hundred continuation classes providing instruction in subjects of general education were'in operation during the year. The number for 1911 was 158. These classes are attended by students who take one subject only, or two or more unrelated subjects. The fact that students are encouraged to take group courses in lieu of unrelated subjects accounts for the comparatively small number of continuation classes. There has been a satisfactory increase in the number of centres in which instruction in subjects relating to rural pursuits is provided. Classes attended by about 1,600 students were held at seventy-three centres, as compared with sixty-seven in the previous year. The subjects included wool sorting and classing, sheepshearing, dairying, veterinary science, agriculture, horticulture, bee-keeping, and poultry-keeping. Hitherto classes have been established as a result, generally, of a local demand for instruction in one or other of the above-mentioned subjects. While no organized scheme of technical instruction in subjects bearing on our primary industries has so far been put into operation under the regulations for manual and technical instruction in any district, there is evidence of a growing desire on the part of the farming community for the establishment of classes providing definite courses of instruction. In the meantime a good deal of what may be termed foundationwork has been accomplished in schools of primary and secondary grade. Thus during the year over 1,000 primary classes in elementary agriculture were carried on, while secondary classes in connexion with high schools, day technical schools, and district high schools were attended by over 1,000 pupils. Table Jc.—Number of Students taking Group Courses of Instruction occupying not less than Four Hours a Week and Eighty Hours a Year. Course of Instruction. Number of StudKill. l!)l^. Elementary commercial .. .. .. .. .. 1,033 856 Higher commercial .. .. .. .. .. 208 354 Practical mathematics and science . . . . .. .. 117 122 Mathematics and science applied to trades and industries .. 1,037 1,043 Domestic science.. . . .. .. . . 26S 304 Art and art-crafts .. .. .. .. 541 490 Totals .. .. .. .. 3,204 3,219 During the year capitation on the attendances of students at group courses was earned by twenty-seven schools in nine of the thirteen education districts. The number of students taking such courses was about 25 per cent, of the total roll. The number of students who voluntarily attend evening classes, particularly in the larger centres, continues to be well maintained. It is also gratifying to note that so many students show their appreciation of the facilities now placed within their roach by attending on three or more evenings a week. The following schools had roll numbers of 400 or more (exclusive of the day technical schools that are carried on in connexion with some of them) : — School. Roll Number. Auckland Technical College .. .. .. •• •■ 1,006 Wanganui Technical College .. . . .. •. • • • • 675 Palmerston North Technical Scliiml .. .. .. .. .. 522 Wellington Technical College .. . . . . .. I , 155 Christchurch Technical College •• -• •• •- -• 988 Timaru Technical School .. .. .. .. .. WO Dunedin Technical School . . . . . . ■ ■ . 966 Dunedin School of Art .. 179 Regulations under section 18 of the Education Amendment Act requiring the attendance of young persons between the ages of fourteen and seventeen who are not otherwise receiving a suitable education, or who are not specially exempted from attendance, have been approved for certain school districts in Auckland, Taranaki, Wanganui, and Hawke's Bay. During the year the regulations were put into operation in four school districts in Wanganui. The classes established under the

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