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the technical education of those destined to follow industrial pursuits. The establishment of continuation schools for those who ! have completed their primary education, together with the raising of the age of compulsory attendance, may be cited as the chief means by which the solution of the problem is being attempted elsewhere with what seems to be a good deal of success. As to how far it is desirable to go in this direction in New Zealand is a matter for serious consideration, remembering the differences in the conditions that obtain here and in the countries in which compulsory attendance, whether obligatory or optional, has been or is proposed to be adopted. The establishment of the following classes, leading up to classes of university rank, appears to be necessary to place technical education in New Zealand on a satisfactory basis : — (1.) Day preparatory classes for junior pupils. (2.) Day classes in continuation of these, providing full special courses for those who have not yet gone to work, and part-time courses for those who have. (3.) Evening classes providing such instruction as a workman does not or cannot get in the ordinary practice of his trade or craft. The establishment in a complete form of such a scheme (parts of it are already in operation) implies among other things an agreement between the employers, the workmen, and the technical schools on many points, and possibly some alteration in the existing law. Apart from special centres for manual instruction there are now about 45 technical schools in operation, while recognised classes were held at 122 places. Classes in places where special buildings were not available were held as usual in the local schools, or in suitable rented buildings. In several districts, but more particularly in Auckland and Wanganui, classes, in charge chiefly of itinerant instructors, were carried on in rural sub-centres with satisfactory results. This system has much to commend it, and it is hoped that it will become more general as circumstances and opportunities offer. In Auckland classes were held at 16 and in Wanganui at 28 such sub-centres. The number of recognised technical and continuation classes in operation during the year was 1,505, as against 1,392 last year. The classes were divided as follows : —

It will be noticed that " special" classes— i.e., classes under an Education Board or the Board of Governors of a secondary school as controlling authority—were the most numerous and the most widely distributed. " Associated" classes— i.e., classes conducted by managers representing the controlling authority, local and other contributing bodies—though held at a much smaller number of centres, had an average attendance of 17-3 per class, as against 14 in the case of " special" classes. The number of " associated " classes continues to increase, indicating the interest that is being taken in technical education by local bodies, industrial associations, and other similar organizations. " College " classes were carried on in connection with one only of the University colleges—namely, Canterbury College, Christchurch. The following are some particulars relating to technical classes in operation during 1908 : — The number of places at which recognised technical classes were held was . . .. • • • • ■ • • • 122 The number of recognised classes was .. . . . . .. .. 1,505 The average attendance at all classes was . . .. . . .. 21,518 The capitation on attendances was .. . . . . .. £17,601 2s. 7d. The rate of capitation per unit of average attendance was . . . . 16s. 4d.

Classes. " Special" classes... "Associated" classes " College " classes Number o£ Centres. 1907. 1908. 88 98 17 23 1 1 Number of Clusaes. Average Attendance. 1907. 1908. 1907. 1908. 791 487 114 854 520 131 10,917 8,674 1,276 11,016 9,002 1,500