E.--5

3

The following are some particulars of the age, sex, and occupations of students : —

Summary oi!' Occupations of Students. Number of Percentage of Students. Totals. Clerical pursuits .. .. .. .. ..1,911 1065 Professional pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 2,754 1534 Students .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,548 19-76 Domestic pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 2,911 1622 Agricultural pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 753 420 Various trades and industries .. .. .. .. 5,071 28 - 25 Other occupations not stated .. .. .. .. 1,002 558 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 17,950 100-0 Number of Classes in certain Subjects of Technical Instruction held in 1918 and 1919. 1918. 1919. Arts and artcrafts .. .. .. .. .. 235 232 Mechanical and electrical engineering, theoretical and practical 220 238 Building-construction, carpentry, and plumbing, and other trades 204 201 Experimental and natural science, mathematics, &c. .. .. 135 120 Agriculture, wool-sorting, dairy-work, &o. .. .. .. 98 95 Domestic subjects .. .. .. .. . . 367 371 Commercial subjects .. .. .. .. .. 369 380 Subjects ol general education .. .. .. . . 337 377 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 1,965 2,014 It is to be noted, as a sign of recovery from war conditions, that whereas in 1917 the females attending classes outnumbered the males by over a thousand, and in 1918 by some four hundred and fifty, in 1919 the males outnumber the females by about three hundred and fifty. The number of students engaged, in agriculture and trades and industries is approximately one-third of the total. The total number of classes held shows an increase over that for 1918, though in some subjects there is a slight falling-off. The engineering classes have more than recovered the drop in number reported last year, the total number being fourteen in excess of that for 1917. In almost all cases these classes have been conducted with vigour and success. There is again a slight decrease in the number of classes in agricultural subjects, but there has been no diminution of interest in the instruction, and in certain cases notable work has been done in short courses for farmers, conducted with the co-operation of the Department of Agriculture. In general, however, the instruction has been mainly directed towards the more scientific aspects of agriculture, and not so much towards purely vocational training. An increase has again to be recorded in the number of classes in subjects related to the home. The principal object of the training provided in these subjects is that of equipping the girl-student for her future duties in her own home. The, more professional course of the School of Domestic Science in Otago University, designed mainly with the object of providing specially qualified teachers of domestic science for the technical schools, girls' high schools, and manual-training centres, continues to grow in popularity. The number of students in attendance during the year at this special course was sixty-three, of whom forty-three were holders of Government bursaries, and may be regarded as prospective teachers of domestic subjects. Seven degree and nine diploma students completed their course during 1919, and were immediately offered good positions. Payments totalling £2,766 were made in respect of forty-three bursars, an average of about £64 per bursar. The difficulties in the way of providing skilled instructors in the various branches of technical work have not markedly diminished in recent years, and in 1919, particularly, the demand of industry for competent men has been a serious obstacle in the way of securing the best teachers for the schools. This competition has been largely responsible for the increase of £22,664 in the payments made on

Seventeen Years of Age and undor. Over Seven of A itecn Years Lge. To>als. 1918. 1919. 1918. 1919. 1918. 1919. Males .. Females 4,657 4,984 4,009 4,074 3,573 4,671 4,305 4,587 8,230 8,680 9,289 8,661 Totals .. 8,666 9,058 8,241 8,892 16,910 17,950