39

E.—l

Classes other than Classes at Technical High Schools. Classes were held at 168 centres, an increase of thirty. The number of classes and the number of individual students were as follows : —

Capitation payments for the year totalled £27,490 (including £7,771 on account of free technical education), being at the rate of £I*s per student. It has to be remembered in this connection that for these classes payment is not made on account of any student for more than 400 hour-attendances a year, and further that a large proportion of the students do not make more than from sixty to eighty hourattendances a year. The rates of capitation vary from 2d. to Bd. an hour, according to the stage and nature of the instruction. These rates are increased by onehalf in the case of classes in remote centres. An additional 3d. an hour up to £5 a year is paid in the case of students holding free places. Of the above groups classes of the {a) group continue to be the most numerous and the most widely distributed. Most of the classes in the smaller centres belong to this group. Classes belonging to the (6) group, though held at a comparatively small number of centres (nineteen), constitute most of the largest and best-equipped schools in the Dominion. Classes of the (c) group are held at four centres, and include some classes not of university rank. The number of individual students in attendance during the year shows an increase of nearly 10 per cent., which, in view of the disturbing influences arising out of the war, must be regarded as very satisfactory. Some particulars as to the age, sex, and occupations of students are as follow : —

Summary of Occupations op Students. Number of Peroentage Students. of Total. Clerical pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 1,996 10-9 Professional pursuits .. .. .. .. 3,285 18-0 Students .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,553 14-0 Domestic pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 3,768 20-6 Agricultural pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 1,524 8-4 Various trades and industries .. .. .. .. 4,654 25-5 Other occupations not included in above .. .. .. 467 2-6 18,247 100-0 Of the total number of males in attendance 56 per cent. Were over seventeen years of age. The percentage for the previous year was 60. A considerable decrease was expected in view of the number of young men who have enlisted. It is gratifying to find that it is"so small. It will be noted that about half of the total number of students were females, and, further, that about one-fourth of the students were engaged in various trades and industries. It is also evident that the schools as a whole are catering for a considerable variety of trades and occupations.

Description of Class. Number of Classes. : Number of Students. (a,) Conducted by Education or High (School Boards (b) Conducted by Technical School Boards or by Managers (c) Conducted by University Colleges 1914. 1915. 1914. 1915, 940 1,016 8,942 10,616 621 636 6,651 6,855 170 165 1,009 776 Totals .. 1,731 1,817 16 ,'602 18,247

Seventeen Age anc Yoara of Undor. Over Seventeen Yoars of Age. To;als. Males Females .. 1914. 3,347 2.816 1915. 3,948 3,361 1914. 1915. 5,133 5,142 5,306 5,796 1914. 8,480 8,122 1915. 9,090 9,157 Totals .. 6,163 10,439 7,309 10,938 16,602 18,247