E.—l

40

Number of Classes held during 1914 and 1915 in certain Subjects of Technical Instruction.

Commercial subjects, though the number of classes is slightly less than last year, continue to be in general demand. Full courses, both elementary and advanced, are provided at the larger schools. Engineering classes have, as in previous years, been well attended. During the year 164 approved classes were in operation, an increase of fourteen. The many and varied applications of electricity to industrial and other purposes and the rapid development of motor traction have of necessity influenced the character of the courses provided, and the school authorities are meeting as far as possible the increasing demand for instruction in electrical and motor engineering. Ten schools, including those in the four chief centres, are provided with well-equipped workshops, and offer fairly full courses, both elementary and advanced. Courses of university rank in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering are offered at the School of Engineering in connection with Canterbury College, Christchurch. Domestic subjects are included in the curricula of most of the schools. During the year 369 classes were held, an increase of thirty. As in previous years, a number of classes have been held in country districts, the instruction in most cases being given by itinerant teachers. The special courses in home science and domestic arts at the Otago University continue to meet with satisfactory support. Of the thirty-three students in attendance twenty-seven took either the diploma or the degree course. The students included twenty-one prospective teachers of domestic subjects holding Government bursaries. The payments made by the Government during the year on account of these bursaries were at the rate of £63 per bursar. Eleven students, having completed their courses, are now engaged in teaching in the Dominion. Classes, 134 in number, bearing on rural pursuits were held at eighty-eight centres during the year, and were attended by 2,400 students, an increase of 60 per cent. The subjects dealt with included agriculture, dairy-work, wool sorting and classing, shearing, veterinary science, horticulture, and orchard-work. The classes were in most cases taken by itinerant instructors at convenient centres. The results of the year's work, which must be regarded as distinctly encouraging, indicate that the action of the school authorities in the direction of providing facilities for instruction is meeting with appreciation in the right quarters. The fact that the farmers willingly contribute to the funds of the classes is a further indication that the value of the instruction is recognized. The Science Examinationsjof the Board of Education, London, and the Technological Examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute were held as usual, the former at ten and the latter at sixteen centres. The total number of entrees was 358, and the number of passes 232. The percentage of passes was 65. The Institute awarded a silver medal to an Auckland candidate for plumbers' work. At the National Art Competitions of the Board of Education, London, eighteen certificates of commendation were awarded to students of technical schools in the Dominion, indicating that the instruction in art generally is on right lines. The Board of Education, London, has announced that the Science Examinations will be discontinued after 1916, and that owing to the war the National Art Competitions are being suspended.

Subjects of Instruction. Number of Classes. 1914. 277 153 432 339 295 235 1915. lommercial subjects lathematics and science lathematics and science applied to trades and industries )omestic science trt and art-crafts lontinuation classes 259 148 477 369 254 310 Totals 1,731 1,817