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Number of Classes in certain Subjects of Technical Instruction hhld in 1915 and 1916. a , . . . T , ~ Number of Classes, subjects of Instruction. , ( ,, r ~,,,. Mathematics and science . . .. . . . . . . 148 170 Engineering .. .. .. .. .. .. 164 195 Wood and lead working and other trades subjects .. .. 179 . 193 Agriculture, wool-sorting, dairy-work, &c. .. .. .. 134 105 Art and art crafts .. .. .. .. .. 254 255 Domestic subjects .. .. .. .. 369 346 Commercial subjects .. .. .. .. .. 259 322 Subjects of general education .. .. .. .. 310 329 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 1,817 1,915 The increase (thirty-one) in the number of classes for engineering is indicative of the rapidly growing demand for instruction bearing on occupations calling for a practical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. The increasing use of mechanical and electrical power for industrial and other purposes must lead in the near future to very considerable developments in connection with this important branch of technical education. At present ten schools, including those in the four chief centres, are provided with wellequipped engineering workshops, and offer fairly full courses, both elementary and advanced, while the Engineering School in connection with Canterbury College, Christchurch, offers full degree and diploma courses in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. The classes relating to the building, plumbing, and other important trades continue to be well supported, particularly in the larger centres, by various industrial organizations. The setting-up in some districts of advisory committees representing masters and men has had a beneficial effect in bringing the trades concerned and the technical schools into closer relationship. Classes bearing on rural pursuits were held at seventy-eight centres during the year, and were attended by 1,626 students. The subjects dealt with included agriculture, dairy-work, wool sorting and classing, shearing, horticulture, and orchard-work. It is gratifying to note, as an indication that the value of the instruction is recognized, that the farmers willingly contribute to the funds of the classes. Classes for domestic subjects were held at most of the schools. There was a decrease both in the number of classes and in the number of students in attendance, due no doubt to the fact that the services of a large number of young women have been availed of for patriotic and other purposes arising out of the war. The special courses in home science and domestic arts at the Otago University continue to meet with satisfactory support. The number of students in attendance during the year was thirty-six, of whom twenty-one were prospective teachers of domestic subjects holding Government bursaries. Of these bursars twelve took the degree course and nine the course for the diploma. Payments totalling £1,160 were made by the Government on account of homescience bursaries, being at the rate of £55 per bursar. Fourteen students have on the completion of their courses been appointed to positions in various schools in the Dominion. Number of Students taking Group Courses. Course of Instruction. ber of Stud^ s : 1915. 191 (). Elementary and higher commercial, and general courses for public examinations. .. ... ... ... 2,682 3,055 Industrial (including agriculture) ... ... 1,417 1,480 Pure and applied art ... ... ... ... 684 671 Domestic ... ... ... ... ... 855 711 Totals ... ... ... ... 5,638 5,917 Group courses occupying not less than four hours a week and eighty hours a year were provided at fifty centres, an increase of 9 per cent. About 34 per cent, of the students in attendance took such courses, the total number doing