E.—s

4

appear to be proceeding on right lines, and should achieve the success they deserve, provided always that theyjreceive adequate support and encouragement at the hands of those in whose interests they have been established. Technical Instruction. The nature and variety of the facilities for instruction provided by the majority of the schools and classes may be taken as indicating that the authorities in whom is vested the control of technical education are proceeding on lines adapted to local requirements. Ifjjfurther evidence were needed it is to be found in the very satisfactory response on the part of the industrial and commercial sections of the community. In the past an outstanding feature has been the practical interest taken in the schools and classes by local bodies, industrial and agricultural organizations, and by individuals. It is gratifying to report that this interest is maintained. Voluntary contributions from the above sources totalled over £6,500 for the year. Such contributions, which carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £1, form a welcome addition to the funds of the controlling bodies. Favourable consideration has been given by the Government to applications for grants in aid of necessary buildings and equipment. Grants for these purposes totalling £14,753 were distributed during the year. New or additional buildings have been erected or are in course of erection in connection with technical schools at Petone, Nelson, Temuka, Waimate, and Invercargill, while necessary equipment has been provided for classes at Hawera, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Petone, Greymouth, Christchurch (School of Art, School of Engineering, and Technical College), Ashburton, and Dunedin (School of Art and Technical. College). About sixty specially designed and well-equipped buildings are now available for purposes of technical instruction. In the smaller centres where special buildings have not yet been provided classes arc held in suitable rented buildings or in the local public schools. During the year classes were held at twenty-two such centres in the Wanganui District, at eighteen in the Taranaki District, at thirteen in the Otago District, and at eight in the Southland District. * Technical Glasses other than Glasses at Day Technical Schools. Classes were held at 138 centres, an increase of six. The status of the classes, their number, and the number of individual students in attendance, were as ■j- follows:—

" Special" classes — i.e., classes the controlling authority of which la an Education Board or the governing body of a secondary school—-continue to be the most numerous and the most widely distributed. Most of the classes in the smaller centres come under this heading. " Associated " classes— i.e., classes conducted by Managers representing bodies contributing to the funds of the classes—though held at a comparatively small number of centres, constitute most of the largest and best-equipped schools in the Dominion. In a few cases only do the Managers of associated classes conduct classes in more than one centre. " College " classes are conducted by the governing bodies of the University colleges, four in number, and include some classes not of university rank. The number of individual students in attendance during the year shows an increase of 4-7 per cent, in the case of special classes, of 10-5 per cent, in the case of associated classes, and of 27*4 in the case of college classes ; while the number for all classes shows an increase of 8-4 per cent. These figures cannot be regarded as other than satisfactory, in view of the disturbing influences arising out of the war.

Status. Numb Number ber c if Classes. Number of Students. L_ ' Special" classes ' Associated " classes ' College " classes Totals J • 1913. 903 540 183 1,626 1914. 94-0 621 170 1913. 1914. 8,523 8,942 5,951 6,651 732 1,009 1,731 15,206 16,602