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positions as instructors in domestic subjects at technical schools and other colleges are now occupied by those who have graduated from the Otago University homescience coufse. The provision of this higher training for teachers of domestic subjects, and the expenditure on bursaries, appear to be amply justified. The University work has, however, been somewhat handicapped in the past by the lack of adequate kitchen and laboratory accommodation. This year provision has been made for the erection and equipment of the necessary buildings, which it is expected will be ready for the opening session, of 1920. Payments totalling £2,160 were made by the Government on account of home-science bursaries, being an average payment of about £58 per bursar. In spite of many disturbing elements, the steady increase in the number of students taking up courses in related subjects bearing on particular occupations is being maintained, and it is satisfactory to note that a large proportion of those taking a group course are not evading those subjects which must ever be regarded as basic. The importance of raising the standard of intelligence and of widening the outlook of our young mechanics cannot be too strongly emphasized ; the inevitable alternative confronting him is that he must drop into the position of a machine-minder—" an automaton working at the dictate of some one who does the thinking for him." From the ranks of those who are prepared to undertake this intensive training the future teachers of technical subjects may naturally be drawn, and it is hoped that provision will early be made whereby a constant succession of well-trained teachers will be secured. The difficulty of obtaining teachers is not so great as in past years, but the instructor skilled in his craft in all its bearings, " apt to teach," and with a full knowledge of the working-conditions of his particular trade, is not as numerous as could be desired, and serious attention will have to be given to meet the demands for such teachers that future developments in technical training will make.

Number of Students Receiving Free Education under the Regulations for Free Places.

Nearly 25 per cent, of the total number of students in attendance at classes held free places under the Government regulations. The total number of junior free pupils shows an increase of 153, as compared, with the number for 1917 ; and the total number of senior free pupils shows an increase of 81. 442 students held scholarships or free places provided locally. A fair proportion of the increase in the number of free-place holders is due to the attendance at technical classes of young persons, not otherwise qualified for a free place who have been recommended by an Inspector of Schools for the award. Three additional school districts have brought the regulations for the compulsory attendance of young persons at continuation classes into operation during the year. The number of students in attendance under the regulations was as follows : — Auckland Education District .. .. 495 students in 12 school districts. Taranaki Education District .. .. 151 ~ 4 ~ Wanganui Education District .. .. 568 ~ 6 ~ Hawke's Bay Education District . . . . 110 „ 1 „ Total 1,324 „ 23

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1917. 1918. Males. Females, Totals. Males. Females. Totals. " T ■ ,. -i I First vcar Junior tree pupils „ j ' r I Second year (First year Senior free pupils j Second year (Third year 806 461 394 205 145 010 450 413 208 165 1,416 911 807 533 310 854 522 422 270 135 095 409 390 314 188 1,549 931 818 590 323 Totals .. 2,071 1,900 3,977 2,209 2,002 4,211