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tion, including not less than one year of a senior course in which the standard of" work is sufficiently advanced in character to meet the requirements of the examination for a teacher's certificate of Class D, or of the Matriculation Examination. Likewise the higher leaving-certificate may be granted to pupils having satisfactorily completed at least a four-years course of secondary instruction and having satisfied the requirements of the lower leaving-certificate, and, in addition, having completed to good advantage and under certain conditions a.further secondary course of not less than one year. TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. (See also E.-5, Report on Technical Instruction.) General. The work of the schools and classes has proceeded satisfactorily considering the many unavoidable hindrances and disabilities arising out of the war. The ranks of the teaching staff and of the students have been thinned by numerous departures for the front. The published lists of distinction for bravery, initiative, and resource, and of killed and wounded, include the names of many instructors and students. When the time arrives for reviewing New Zealand's effort in the cause of freedom it will be found that the technical schools, in common with other educational institutions, have responded well to the continued calls for reinforcements. As was to be expected, the returns for the year show for the first time a falling-off in the attendance at evening classes, while the technical high schools show a small increase, and this in spite of the demand for young people to take the places of those who have enlisted. The total number of students in attendance at all schools and classes was 19,691, a. decrease of 511. In the circumstances such an attendance must be regarded as very satisfactory. The total number of students receiving free education under Government regulations or as holders of local scholarships and free places was 7,574, an increase of 591. The practical interest hitherto taken by local bodies, industrial organizations, and others in technical education has been continued in face of the many and increasing demands on the pockets of the community. Contributions in money from the above sources (carrying a Government subsidy of £1 for £1) totalled £4,200 for the year. The school authorities have, for obvious reasons, considerately refrained from making application for grants for other than urgent requirements in the way of necessary buildings and equipment. Consequently, the amount (£4,040) distributed in the sliape of Government grants was very much less than usual; in the previous year £13,461 was distributed. The number of buildings specially designed and equipped for technical instruction is now about sixty. Where such buildings have not yet been provided (e.g., in remote centres) use is made of the local public schools or of suitable rented buildings. During the year classes were held at twenty-nine such centres in Taranaki, at sixteen in Wanganui and Canterbury, at twelve in Otago, and at seven in Auckland and Southland, and in smaller numbers in the remaining three education districts. Classes other than Classes at Technical High Schools. Classes were held in 151 centres, seventeen less than last year. The number of classes and the number of individual students in attendance were as follow :—

Description of Class. % ....... Number if Classes. .. I Number of Students. («) Conducted by Education or High School Boards (b\ Conducted by Technical School Boards or by Managers '(c) Conducted by University Colleges 1915. 1,016 636 165 1916. 1,058 678 179 1915. 1916. 10,616 10,169 6,855 6,699 776 718 Totals 1,817 1,915 18,247 ' 17,586