E.—l.

HIGHER (UNIVERSITY) EDUCATION. The number of students on the books of the four University colleges affiliated to the University of New Zealand in 1930 was 4,801, as against 4,623 in 1929, an increase of 183. The figures for each of the four colleges were as under : — 1929. 1930. Auckland 1,321 1,347 Victoria .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,007 1,074 Canterbury .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,072 1,121 Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,223 1,259 4,623 4,801 The total number of students described as taking definite courses at the affiliated colleges was 4,409, distributed as follows : Arts, 1,983 ; science, 442 ; medicine, 242 ; dentistry, 112 ; law, 462 ; commerce, 610 ; music, 48 ; engineering, 210 ; agriculture, 24 ; home science, 109 ; architecture, 57 ; journalism, 50 ; mining, 13 ; forestry, 26 ; and massage, 21. The number of exempted students was 495 in 1929 and 638 in .1930, the numbers in actual attendance at lectures being 4,128 and 4,163 respectively. The following shows the growth in the numbers of students over a- period of years : 1878, 168 ; 1895, 742 ; 1900, 805 ; 1905, 1,158 ; 1915, 2,039 ; 1920, 3,822 ; 1924, 4,236; 1925,4,442; 1930,4,801. Of the 4,801 students on the books in 1930, 3,392 students, or 70 per cent, of the total number of students, were men. Of the students attending lectures last year the following were receiving free University education : 40 per cent, in the case of men, and 66 per cent, in the case of women, or 48 per cent, of all students. Nearly all these had their tuition fees paid by the State. In addition to the number of students attending the four University colleges mentioned above, there were 208 students attending Massey Agricultural College and 68 students attending Canterbury Agricultural College during 1930. At the former college 14 students were taking the course for Bachelor of Agricultural Science, and 3 the course for Master of Agricultural Science, and, at the latter, 10 students were taking the course for Bachelor of Agricultural Science. The remaining students at both these colleges were taking courses of varying length, the greater number at Massey College taking mainly short courses of instruction. By far the most popular means of obtaining free University education is to qualify for a University Bursary. These bursaries are awarded to those who secure a credit pass in the University Entrance Scholarship Examination or a higher leaving certificate. In 1930 there were 1,112 University bursars attending lectures. Returns showing the occupations of students have been furnished with respect to last year by the four constituent University Colleges. Expressed as percentages the figures are as under : — Men. Women. Full-time students .. .. .. .. .. 33 46 Teachers and training college students .. .. 19 43 G-overnment and local-body employees .. . . 16 2 Employees of private firms .. .. . . . . 31 6 Not known .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 3 100 100 The number of full-time students as a percentage of the total number of students attending lectures was 60 in the case of Otago, 26 in the case of Auckland, 19 in the case of Victoria, and 34 in the case of Canterbury. While the number of candidates for the University Entrance Examination shows a slight decrease when compared with the previous year's figures, the entries for the various degree examinations continue to increase. The following are the figures Number of Candidates. 1929. 1930. University Entrance Examination .. .. .. 4,586 4,567 Number who passed .. .. .. .. .. 2,217 2,038 Degree Examination .. .. .. .. .. 6,660 6,882

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