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recognized by the State and receive active support from the Ministry of Education. In Russia, in Holland, and in Austria parents' councils have developed amazingly. In England, on the other hand, the system has so far made but little appeal either to parents or to schools. It is estimated, for example, that only 4 per cent, of the boys' secondary schools in that country have associations. "Whilst several schools in New Zealand are undoubtedly reaping benefits from healthy and vigorous associations working on their behalf, the Principals of others have hesitated to enlist the interest and the intelligent sympathy of the parents. Some have openly expressed their hesitation or aversion to the Inspectors. There is no doubt, however, that the weight of evidence is distinctly in favour of the associations. There are social and educational advantages to be gathered from their existence and co-operation, but even from the materialistic point of view their benefits as evidenced in swimming-baths, cinema equipment, ground improvements, motor-lorries, &c., proclaim their value in no uncertain terms. Conclusion. In general, the work in the schools has proceeded satisfactorily during the past year. Though progress towards the equipping of all secondary schools with suitable workshops for manual work has naturally been retarded during the past few years, additional facilities for such work have nevertheless been provided in a few centres. The percentage of boys learning woodword in purely secondary schools is slowly rising, and now stands at 21-6; metalwork on the other hand has not maintained its position during the past year. Among other subjects taught in purely secondary schools, it may be noted that the percentage of boys taking agriculture has risen to 11-9 and of girls learning shorthand to 28-7, and typing to 21-9. A matter for sincere regret is the starved state, or the total absence in some cases, of the school libraries in many of our schools. The governing bodies, it may be pointed out, are not to blame in this connection as they have practically no funds available for either their establishment or their maintenance. School libraries should be regarded as an essential part of the equipment for teaching, and it is hoped that with the return of more prosperous times adequate assistance for their rehabilitation may be forthcoming. In conclusion I wish to express my appreciation of the continued loyal and efficient co-operation of my colleagues during the year under review. I have, &c., E. J. Pake, Chief Inspector of Secondary Schools. The Director of Education, Wellington. 3. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION. Sir, — I have the honour to present my report for the year 1935: — General. The number of schools, including technical high schools and combined schools, offering full-time day technical courses remains the same as in the previous year. In nearly every case an increase of roll number is shown over the number for the corresponding period of 1934. Enrolments in technical courses in combined and in all courses in technical high schools numbered 6,282 boys and 4,943 girls on the Ist July, 1935, as against 6,142 boys and 4,913 girls on the Ist July, 1934. It is instructive to note that the increase of numbers was due to a large increase within the age-group 13 to 15 years, accompanied by a slight drop in the number below thirteen years of age, and a very considerable drop of over seven hundred in the number of pupils over fifteen years of age. Enrolments in evening classes at the Ist July, 1935, numbered 7,145 males and 3,217 females, as against 6,036 males and 3,059 females at the same date in 1934. The increase in evening-class rolls was probably mainly due to transfers in the early part of the year from the full-time day classes, nearly 900 pupils having left the technical high schools during this period, owing to a steady demand for young workers in business and industry. The increases in evening classes are to be found chiefly in students of commercial and general subjects, in which the enrolments were higher than in any of the previous six years. Some concern has been expressed by Principals and Boards that a corresponding increase has not taken place in classes in trade subjects, particularly those which cater for apprentices in the building, engineering, and allied trades. The fear has been expressed in regard especially to the building and allied trades that a shortage of skilled labour may be experienced in the near future. In the main, fluctuations during the year in the rolls of full-time day pupils in technical high schools and from year to year in those of evening classes reflect, without appreciable lag, the fluctuations in employment in business and industry.

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