29

E.—s

in the subjects of the Public Service Entrance and Matriculation Examinations were very satisfactory. Three students attending the pharmacy classes passed the examination for Section 15, but the work for the November examinations was interrupted by the influenza epidemic. If the scheme for the electrification of the country districts and towns in Southland is brought to a successful issue it will be necessary to extend considerably the facilities offered for instruction in applied electricity and electrical engineering, for not only will this advance be followed by the establishment of numbers of electrical engineering firms in Southland, but farmers also will require to have some knowledge of the application of electricity. The advent of the tractor should also increase the number of persons interested in the working of internal-combustion engines. It is gratifying to note that numbers of discharged soldiers have enrolled in the classes, a considerable proportion of them for full-time courses. Of the latter, about half are interested in engineering, and most of the others in commercial education. At no time have there been enough to form special classes for soldiers only, but undoubtedly the best progress would be made in such classes. In some respects mechanical engineering is too strenuous for a number of the returned men, but if (he extension proposed in the engineering department can be effected, instruction in electrical engineering will soon be available also. W| ~ RID?BLLj Chairman. 1). E. Hansen, Director. EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OK THE CoNTHOLI.INI! AuTHORITT OK THE GoiilO TECHNICAL SCHOOL. The 1918 session consisted of I wo terms, each of ten weeks' duration, a two-hour lesson being given in each subject weekly. The following technical classes were held : Dressmaking (two), ladies' woodwork and cabinetmaking; while continuation classes were held for English, arithmetic, shorthand, and book-keeping. In all fifty-eight students attended the evening classes, fifteen of whom were males and fortythree females. Of these, fifteen were free pupils. Only one returned soldier took advantage of the invitation to attend any of the classes free. The remaining forty-two students paid fees. Most of the students attended only one class, but several enrolled for two, three, and even four classes. The attendance at most of the classes was very good indeed, although there is a tendency for free pupils, especially the seniors, to permit other engagements to interfere with their attendance at class, especially towards the end of the session. Altogether the session was a successful one, but we deplore the fact that the number of male students anxious to take advantage of the classes was much smaller than it should be. Andrew Martin", Secretary.

No. 3. I)I7TAILEI7> TABLES EELATING TO TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.

Table J1.—Some Particulars relating to technical Education for the Years 1913-1918 inclusive.

1913. 1914. 1915. 1916. 1917. 1918. 151 131 S 8 1,902 . 1,905 ! 2,317 . 2,747 18,400 10.910 0,127 6,715 1,334 j 1,324 I Number of centres at which classes were held.. Xiiinlior of technical high schools Number of other classes Number of students— (a.) Technical high schools {/>.) Other classes Number of free pii|iils at (a) and (b) above Number of students attending under compulsory regulations 182 8 1,020 1,004 15,206 4,078 451 138 8 1,731 1,839 16,602 5,258 430 I OS 8 1,817 1,955 18,247 5,000 858 151 8 1,915 2,105 17,586 5,975 1,219 Total expenditure by Government Including— Capitation— (a.) Technical high schools .. (A.) Other classes Grants for buildings and equipment Subsidies on voluntary contributions Conveyance of (a) Instructors .. (b) Students £ 70,280 £ 80,210 £ 72,089 £ 84,931 £ £ 100,199 i 85,335 15,280 24,520 18,130 0,000 2,058 1,851 18,854 20,209 20,572 5,427 2,023 2,457 19,309 30,729 7,877 • 5,323 1,018 2,059 25,934 38,922 6,014 4,200 790 2,596 35,795 33,150 44,021 33,119 0,898 5,773 2,154 1,673 261 464 2,982 3,312