K-β

6

About 91 per cent, of the total number of students under instruction were in attendance at classes held for the most part in the evenings. The remainder were under instruction at various day technical schools to which reference is made hereafter. The occupations of students attending day and evening classes may be summarized as follows :— Number of Percentage of Students. Totals. Commercial pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 2,537 16-8 Professional pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 2,690 Jl7-9 Students .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,552 16-9 Domestic pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 2,888 19-2 Agricultural pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 1,305 [8-7 Various trades .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,553 16-9 Other occupations not included in above .. .. .. 543 [3-6 15,068 100-0 It is evident from the above figures that the technical schools as a whole are providing instruction adapted to the requirements of most classes of the community.

Table Ja.—Number of Day and Evening Classes for, and Capitation on Attendances in respect of, certain subjects of Technical Instruction.

There has been a considerable increase in the number of classes in subjects related to the various branches of engineering—civil, mechanical, and electrical. The provision made for the instruction as regards equipment and courses of work is in most cases quite satisfactory. While the demand for instruction in plumbing continues to be well maintained, there has been a decrease in the number of classes for carpentry and joinery, and cabinetmaking. It is to be regretted that the personnel of the classes includes in many cases but a small percentage of persons engaged in these trades. The classes for pure and applied art continue to be well supported. Full and well arranged courses are provided in most cases. Increased attention is being given to instruction in the various branches of applied art. It is gratifying to notice the steady increase in the demand for instruction in domestic subjects. Classes were held at seventy-three centres. In several schools fairly full courses in subjects bearing on the home are being gradually evolved. The provision recently made by the Council of the Otago University in the way of special courses for the higher education of women in home science and domestic aits will, it is hoped, cause increasing attention to be given to this very important branch of education. As indicating the attention now being given to the matter, it may be mentioned that the course in science as laid down in the calendar of the New Zealand University now includes the subject " domestic science." The demand foi instruction in commercial subjects continues to be maintained. The number of classes for various branches of commercial instruction was, as last year, greater than for any other branch of technical instruction. Classes were held at forty-four centres.

Number of Classes. Capitation. Subjects of Instruction. Engineering jead and wood working 'ure and applied art experimental and natural science )omestic economy !ommercial subjects Subjects of general education Lgriculture, wool-classing, &c. .. I 1909. 1910. 131 246 206 163 330 334 84 91 284 328 350 360 239 195 78 111 1909. 1910. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,984 0 9 3,505 15 8 1,430 0 6 1,940 2 8 4,957 19 1 4,139 17 8 1,014 7 5 1,257 12 0 3,059 19 7 4,332 7 11 4,884 2 11 5,593 15 6 771 6 6 1,091 9 8 395 15 11 579 11 5 Totals — 1,702 1,828 1,828 li 18,497 12 18,497 12 8 22,440 12 6 8 22,440 12 fi