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to the Dominion as adults without the rudiments of education. This contention, indeed, is amply borne out by another table, which shows that more than two-thirds pi these are not New-Zealand-born. There are only 292 persons between the ages of ten and fifteen who cannot read or write, and the explanation of even this small number lies in the fact that there are still a few isolated parts of the Dominion where, on account of the sparsely populated nature of the district, it has been found impossible to supply the machinery for education An interesting census table is that showing the gradual advance in education at various censuses since 1858. In 1858, 36-49 per cent, of the population could not re ad or write ; at successive censuses this percentage was gradually reduced till, in 1878, only 30-48 were illiterate. The effect of the passing of the Education Act, 1877, is here very marked, the figure for 1886, for instance, being 25*99. From that date onwards the number has been gradually decreasing at each successive census. Presuming that 14 per cent, of the population are under seven years of age, and that this proportion held good in previous censuses, we get the following results. Persons of Seven Years and upwards unable to read or write. In 1858 .. .. .. '.. .. .. 22 out of every 100 In 1878 16 „ 100 In 1886 .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 „ 100 In 1911 .. .. .. .. .. 1 „ 100 (b.) Attendance at various Educational Institutions. The following return shows the census figures for persons in attendance at University colleges, secondary schools, technical schools, and primary schools, and those receiving instruction at home. The Department's figures have been added where possible for purposes of comparison ; in all cases except in University colleges and primary schools it has been found impossible to supply the figures for the same period (April, 1911), and the figures for December, 1910, have been inserted.

As regards University colleges, the slight discrepancy arises in all probability from the fact that some students do not begin their course till after the] Easter holidays. The peculiarity in regard to the return of secondary-school pupils lies in the fact that, according to the census returns, there were almost as many girls as boys, whereas, according to the figures supplied by secondary schools and day technical schools there were 20 per cent, more boys than girls. It will be noted that there is a very great disparity between the two sets of figures in the case of technical classes. For this several reasons may be assigned. The most obvious and most important is that when the census was taken on the 2nd April, many of the technical classes had not opened for the year's work. Moreover, many of those attending such classes were already engaged in some trade, and having entered due particulars in the census column concerned doubtless took no

Education Depai Returns. •tment'K :nsus Returns. Males. Females. Total. Males. Females. Total. At University colleges At secondary schools and day technical schools At private secondary schools At technical classes At private technical schools At primary schools At private primary schools Home instruction 1,087 4,652 538 4,646 1,625 9,298 1.128 5,081 648 4,124 1,776 9,205 1,003 2,612 291 80.546 6,460 2,057 2,102 1,486 278 73,606 8,310 2,791 3,105 4,098 569 154,152 14,770 4,848 7,811 81,322 * 7^257 74,031 * 15,068 155,353 15, 914-t * * * No returns a . 'ailable. t Roll for year 1911.