36

E—l

The majority of the secondary schools are now well equipped for practical work in science, woodwork, and domestic subjects ; the provision made for laboratory work in particular is very satisfactory. In several of the rural secondary schools courses of agricultural instruction are gradually being evolved with satisfactory results. There is also evidence of a decided movement in many of the girls' schools in the direction of providing opportunities for instruction in subjects bearing on the home. New buildings or additions to buildings for manual instruction have been erected during the year or are in course of erection in connexion with Napier High School, Marlborough High School, Nelson Boys' and Girls' Colleges, and Christchurch and Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools, while necessary equipment has been provided at Hamilton High School, Wellington Girls' College, Marlborough High ScLool, Timaru Boys' High School, Waitaki Boys' High School, and Gore High School. Technical Instruction. (E.-s.—Tables J7 to J17.) Controlling authorities and managers of technical schools continue to give careful attention to the provision, improvement, and extension of facilities for instruction, and to receive in most cases satisfactory support at the hands of those for whose direct benefit the schools are provided. As in the past, considerable interest in the classes is taken by local bodies, industrial and trade organizations, and agricultural and pastoral associations, greatly to the advantage of the institutions concerned. During the year nearly £6,000, carrying a Government subsidy of £1 for £1, was contributed in aid of technical instruction. The contributions for the previous year totalled about £5,000. The Government has, as in previous years, favourably considered applications for new buildings or additions where these have been shown to be necessary, and for necessary equipment. New or additional buildings have been erected or are in course of erection at Auckland, Hawera, Manaia, Woodville, Christchurch, Ashburton, Temuka, and Dunedin, while necessary equipment has been provided for classes at Auckland (Technical College and the School of Mines), Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Apiti, Wellington, Petone, Nelson, Christchurch (Technical College and the School of Engineering), Ashburton, Kaiapoi, Timaru, and Gore. During the year grants totalling £10,508 were distributed in aid of buildings and equipment. ' Over fifty well-equipped buildings are now available for purposes of technical instruction. In the smaller and more remote centres where technical schools have not yet been provided classes are held in suitable rented buildings or in the local schools. During the year classes were held at eighteen such centres in the Otago District, at seventeen in the Wanganui District, at thirteen in the Hawke's Bay District, at eleven in the Southland District, and at eight in the Taranaki District. Following are some particulars relating to technical classes, other than classes at day technical schools, in operation during the year :— 1911. 1912. The number of places at whicli recognized classes were held was 130 136 The number of other classes was .. .. .. 1,467 1,552 The number of individual students attending classes was .. 1M.632 13,527 The status of the classes was as follows :—

gt-tj-g Number of Number of j Number ol Centres. other Classes. ; Students. : ! 1 • Special" classes .. .. 125 867 7,357 ■ Associated " classes .. .. .. 22 529 5,568 " College" classes .. . . . . .. 4 156 602 Totals for 1912 .. .. .. .. 151 1,552 13,527 Totals for 1911 .. .. .. .. 142 1,467 13,632 Note.—It will bo noticed that the number of centres is greater than the number of places at which classes were held. rhis is due to tho fact that in some of the larger towns there are two or more schools providing technical instruction.