37

E.—l

" Special " classes — i.e., classes conducted by an Education Board or by the governing body of a secondary school—continue to be the most numerous and the most widely distributed. Most of the classes conducted in the smaller centres come under this heading. " Associated" classes, or classes conducted by managers representing bodies contributing to the funds of the classes, though held in a comparatively small number of centres, include three of the largest and best equipped technical schools in the Dominion—namely, the Wellington Technical School, the Christchurch Technical College, and the Dunedin Technical School. The amounts received by these institutions during the year in the way of voluntary contribution were £420, 1,044, and £1,171 respectively. In only a few cases do the managers of associated classes conduct classes in more than one centre. " College " classes are conducted by the governing bodies of the University colleges, four in number. The most important are those constituting the School of Engineering and the School of Art in connexion with. Canterbury College, Christchurch. The number of individual students in attendance during 1912 was 13,527. Some particulars as to the age and the sex of students are as follows :—

The following is a summary of the occupations of students : Number "f Percentage Students. of Total. Clerical pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 1,617 11-9 Professional pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 2,219 16-4 Students .. .. .. .. .. 1,366 101 Domestic pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 2,915 21-6 Agricultural pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 902 i>-7 Various trades . . .. .. .. .. 1.279 .",1-6 Other occupations not included in above .. .. .. 229 1-7 13,527 100-0 It would appear from the above that the technical schools as a whole are doing a good deal in the way of providing facilities for instruction for the various classes of the community.

Table Jb. —Number of Classes and Capitation on Attendances during 1912 in respect of certain Subjects of Technical Instruction.

Classes for subjects relating to the various branches of engineering—civil, mechanical and electrical—continue to be well attended. The classes are, on the whole, well equipped for practical work, and fairly full courses in engineering are provided.

Twenty-one Years of Age and under. Over Twenty line Years of Age. Totals. Males Females Totals for 1912 Totals for 1911 !_ 4,478 3,587 8,065 7,800 2,638 2,824 5,462 5,832 7,116 6,411 13.527 13,632

Subjects of Instruction. Number of Classes. Capitation. i Commercial subjects Mathematics and science Mathematics and science applied to trades and industries Domestic science Art and art-crafts Continuation classes 220 101 448 290 269 224 £ s. d. 3,136 9 0 844 16 8 4,481 11 2 2,764 7 4 4,230 12 7 803 7 8 Totals for 1912 Totals for 1911 1,552 1,467 16,264 4 5 16,588 3 3