39

E.—l

During the year capitation on the attendances of students at group courses was earned by twenty-seven schools in nine of the thirteen education districts. The number of students taking such courses was about 25 per cent, of the total roll. The number of students who voluntarily attend evening classes, particularly in the larger centres, continues to be well maintained. It is also gratifying to note that so many students show their appreciation of the facilities now placed within their reach by attending on three or more evenings a week. The following schools had roll numbers of 400 or more (exclusive of the day technical schools that are carried on in connexion with some of them): — School. Roll Number. Auckland Technical College .. .. .. ..1,006 Wanganui Technical College . . .. .. .. .. 675 Palmcrston North Technical School . . .. .. .. 522 Wellington Technical College .. .. .. .. ..1,155 Christchurch Technical Collegi .. .. .. .. .. 988 Timaru Technical School .. .. .. .. .. .. 400 Dunedin Technical School .. . . . . . . . . . . 966 Dunedin School of Art .. .. .. 479 Regulations under section 18 of the Education Amendment Act requiring the attendance of young persons between the ages of fourteen and seventeen who are not otherwise receiving a suitable education, or who are not specially exempted from attendance, have been approved for certain school districts in Auckland, Taranaki, Wanganui, and Hawke's Bay. During the year the regulations were put into operation in four school districts in Wanganui. The classes established under the regulations were attended by seventy-three students, of whom forty-six were males. It is probable that the regulations adopted in the Auckland, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay Districts will be put into operation this year (1913). The following table gives the number and the sex of pupils holding Junior or Senior Free Places at technical schools during the year : —

The number of students holding Junior Free Places (tenable for two years) was 1,585, the number holding Senior Free" Places (tenable for three years) being 892. About 59 per cent, of the students who entered on Junior Free Places in 1911 continued to attend in 1912. Of the total number of senior free pupils in their first year over 60 per cent, had previously been in attendance as junior free pupils. The remainder were either admitted on transfer from day technical schools, high schools, or district high schools, or had qualified by examination for Senior Free Places. Of the total number (2,477) of students admitted to free places, 2,081, or 84 per cent., qualified for capitation. Capitation payments on account of free places amounted to £4,279 19s. 3d., being at the rate of £2 per free place. Day Technical Schools. These schools (eight in number) are of secondary grade and provide fairly full courses in science and technology, domestic economy, agriculture, and commercial instruction. They are carried on in connexion with the technical schools at Auckland (321 pupils), Wanganui (142 pupils), Wellington (256 pupils), Napier (86 pupils), Westport (20 pupils), Christchurch (343 pupils), Dunedin (215 pupils), and Invercargill (143 pupils). The total roll number was 1,526, of whom 684 were males.

1911. 1912. Males. 1 Females, j Total. Males. Females. Total. 655 332 987 371 227 598 311 179 490 151 109 263 89 50 139 r , ., First year Jumor free pupils \„ j ' r I Second year I First year Senior free pupils . Second year (Third year 670 356 223 130 81 ; 341 1,011 200 556 140 363 99 229 68 149 ! Totals 1,460 848 2,308 848 2,308 1,580 897 2,477